Saving Vipera ursinii rakosiensis- Protected area management plan

Action A4

Protected area management plan-draft
Dr. Ioan Ghira
Cluj Napoca, 17 July 2009

1. Introduction and context
1.1 Aim of category of the protected area and Legal aspects

2. Description
2.1 General Description
2.1.1 Localisation and Access
2.1.2 Land owners
2.1.3 Limits / boundaries
2.2 Physical Environment Description
2.2.1 General Presentation
2.2.2 Geology and Geomorphology
2.2.3 Hydrology
2.2.4 Climate
2.2.5 Pedology
2.3 Biological Environment Description
2.3.1 Flora and plant communities
2.3.2 Habitats
2.3.3 Fauna
2.3.3.1 Invertebrate Fauna
2.3.3.2 Vertebrate Fauna
2.4 Cultural Aspects, land-use in past
2.5 Socio-economic aspects, actual land-use
2.5.1 Local communities
2.5.2 Stakeholders
3. Aim of the scientific reserve “Fanatele lui Suciu”

4. Management
4.1 Objectives
4.2 Threats/Actions
4.3 Land
4.4 Grazing
4.5 Meadow burning
4.6 Invasive plant species
4.7 Wild boar activity

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1. Introduction and context
1.1. Aim of category of the protected area and Legal aspects
The project surface is included in the Nature2000 network as SCI “ROSCI0187 Pajistile lui Suciu” with a
surface of 367,5 ha (Ordinul 1964/2007, M.Of. 98 din 07-feb-2008) ; recently, the Romanian Herpetological
Society sent the documentation to the Ministry of Environment, in order to declare a part of this N2000 site
(104 ha) to become “Scientific Reserve” (see fig.1).

Fig. 1. Nature2000 site (yellow) and limits of the proposed Scientific Reserve (red)

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2. Description
2.1 General Description

2.1.1 Localisation and Access
Geographic coordinates:
46°16’ 29” şi 23° 54’ 25”; 70 stereo coordinates of the area center: 415883.92 and 531154.49. Framing into
the UTM system (10x10km): GS22
Access ways:
1. From Blaj-Târnăveni road, in Şona locality, the way turn to the left, towards north, to Biia; from this
point, on a back road, the way goes beside Panade Valley until the end, at Cicard. The approximate distance
from Blaj-Tarnaveni road entrance to Cicard : 11.5 km.
2. From Ciuguzel village, the back road go up and then down the hill until Cicard. The approximate
distance: 4.6 km. This road can not be used if recently rain, because of argillaceous ground.

2.1.2 Land owners
Land owners (the list comprise the owners of the proposed Scientific Reserve – spring 2009)
Number of
Nr. Of Land use
parcel (in ID of the
Land owners (having Propriety Title parcel in the Surface ARA: arable
FIELD NAME our Propriety Title HAY:hayfield
for that piece of land) Propriety mp
cadastral (P.T.) or pasture
Title
map)

CICARD 01 Romanian Herpetological Society Sale Precontract 5295_1_30 5800 ARA

CICARD 02 Florea I Vasile 19595_1732 5295_1_2 7500 ARA
Florea T. Gheorghe, Florea T. Emanoil,
CICARD 03 14126_2144 5295_1_6 1500 HAY
Alexa T. Eugenia
CICARD 07 Florea V. Victor 14070_1859 2209_5 14778 HAY
CICARD 08 Florea V. Victor 14070_1859 5295_23 19500 ARA
CICARD 09 Romanian Herpetological Society Sale Precontract 2209_3 12000 HAY
CICARD 11 Olar E. Vasile 1332 5295_1_5 11800 ARA
CICARD 12 Romanian Herpetological Society Sale Precontract 5295_21_2 4329 HAY
CICARD 13 Oarga Gligor 14086_1936 5295_21_1 4271 ARA
CICARD 14 TOWN HALL RESERVE 14086_2002 2242_3 1400 HAY
CICARD 15 TOWN HALL RESERVE 14086_2002 2209_2 3000 HAY
CICARD 16 TOWN HALL RESERVE 14086_2002 5259_21_3 4200 ARA
CICARD 20 Barbat Gh. Ioan 11502_1336 2209_6 31805 HAY
CICARD 21 Barbat Gh. Ioan 11502_1336 5295_1_8 24100 ARA
CICARD 22 Barbat Gh. Ioan 11502_1336 2245_1 7400 ARA
CICARD 24 Romanian Herpetological Society Sale Precontract 5245 6000 HAY
CICARD 25 Olar E. Vasile 1332 5295_1_9 14600 ARA
Radu Emanoil, Radu I. Ioan, Barbat I.
CICARD 26 14105_2017 2209_8 26146 HAY
Susana
CICARD 27 14105_2017 5295_5_10 28000 ARA
Susana

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CICARD 28 14105_2017 2245_3 8000 ARA
Susana
CICARD TOWN HALL RESERVE 16660 HAY
CICARD 31 Alexa Elena 14105_2024 2595_5_4 20400 ARA
CICARD 32 TOWN HALL RESERVE 2355 HAY
CICARD 33 TOWN HALL RESERVE 7842 ARA
CICARD 34 Radu Ioan (Natanaila) No P.T. – 22082 ARA
CICARD 35 Radu Ioan (Natanaila) No P.T. – 27538 HAY
Toma Iosif, Olar V. Maria, Olar Vasile,
CICARD 36 19595_1714 5295_1_14 3000 HAY
Olar Ioan, Oarga I. Susana
CICARD 37 No P.T. - 11800 HAY
CICARD 38 No P.T. - 5800 ARA
CICARD 39 19595_1714 2209_13 6000 ARA




CICARD 45 Romanian Herpetological Society Sale Precontract 5295_5_15_1 7500 ARA
CICARD 46 Lodroman Gratian No P.T. – 24555 ARA
CICARD 47 Lodroman Gratian No P.T. – 31745 HAY
CICARD 48 Oarga Emil, Oarga Viorel, Oarga Cornel 14126_2160 2209_17 24600 HAY
CICARD 49 Oarga Emil, Oarga Viorel, Oarga Cornel 14126_2160 5295_5_17 31900 ARA
CICARD 50 Oarga Emil, Oarga Viorel, Oarga Cornel 14126_2160 2203_4 4000 ARA
CICARD 51 Vasut Horea 19595_1736 2209_16 8000 HAY
CICARD 52 Vasut Horea 19595_1736 5295_1_16 16500 ARA
Moldovan V. Vasile, Vãsut Horea, Alex
CICARD 53 11524_1432 2209_16_1 22500 HAY
H. Minodora, Vãsut I. Traian
Moldovan V. Vasile, Vãsut Horea, Alex
CICARD 54 11524_1432 5295_1_17_1 25200 ARA
H. Minodora, Vãsut I. Traian
CICARD 55 Moldovan Vasile 14105_2033 2209_4 26000 HAY
CICARD 56 Moldovan Vasile 14105_2033 2595_5_19 22000 ARA
CICARD 57 Moldovan Vasile 14105_2033 2206_4 2000 ARA
Pojar Vasile; Pojar Gheorghe; Pojar
CICARD 58 19561_1681 5295_9_1 7140 ARA
Iosif; Ciortea Armeana; Domsa Eugenia
Pojar Vasile; Pojar Gheorghe; Pojar
CICARD 59 19561_1681 5295_9_2 22000 ARA
Iosif; Ciortea Armeana; Domsa Eugenia
CICARD 60 Calin Ioan 14070_1890 2455_3 10000 HAY
CICARD 61 Calin Ioan 14070_1890 5295_8_2 5000 HAY
CICARD 62 Toma Ioan, Calin Carolina 14070_1822 5295_8_2 12000 ARA
CICARD 63 Toma Ioan, Calin Carolina 14070_1822 5295_8_1 12000 ARA
CICARD 64 Balau Ioan; Balau Sorica PT in process – 18000 HAY
CICARD 65 Parohia Ortodoxa No P.T. – 112520 ARA
Suciu Aurel, Suciu Gheorghe, Suciu
CICARD 76 14105_2063 2160_3 9100 ARA
Ioan, Tiutiu Silvia
CICARD 81 Balau Ioan; Balau Sorica PT in process 2155_6 8207 HAY
CICARD 87 Balau Victor Sancel PT in process 2155_7 7800 HAY
CICARD 92 Sabau V Ioan, Vasile, Balau Valentina 14126_2157 2140_2 25000 HAY

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CICARD 93 Sabau V Ioan, Vasile, Balau Valentina 14126_2157 2134_5 10000 HAY

TAU BABII 01 Balau Valeria 5300/1 10000 HAY
TAU BABII 02 Suciu Maria No P.T. 6000 HAY
5302/2/1;
TAU BABII 03 Suciu Gheorghe No P.T. 6000 HAY
5302/2/2
TAU BABII 04 Olar Onisie No P.T. 5303/1/1 6000 HAY
TAU BABII 05 Olar Teodor No P.T. 5295/3/2 6000 HAY
TAU BABII 06 TOWN HALL RESERVE 4376 HAY
TAU BABII 07 OargaTanase No P.T. 3000 HAY
TAU BABII 08 Pojar Todorel No P.T. 6000 HAY
Sale Contract
TAU BABII 10 Romanian Herpetological Society 5302/9 6100 HAY
1928/23.10.2008
Sale Contract
TAU BABII 11 Romanian Herpetological Society 5303/4/2 2000 HAY
1169/09.06.2008
Sale Contract
1169/09.06.2008
Sale Contract
1169/09.06.2008
Sale Contract
975/07.05.2008
TAU BABII 16 Olar Loghin PT................... 5302/8 3000 HAY
TAU BABII 17 Vasut Ion PT.................. 3000 HAY
TAU BABII 19 Olar Vasile PT in process 5800 HAY
TAU BABII 21 Savu Valeria P.T.............. 5302/7 3200 HAY
Radu Manaila, Radu Romul, Lenghea
TAU BABII 22 Susana, Baltat Maria, Radu Iosif, Radu PT............. 5295/1/30 5800 HAY
Ioan, Radu Adriana, Radu Iosif
TAU BABII 23 Romanian Herpetological Society Sale Precontract 5295/10 3000 HAY
Sale Contract
255/18.02.2009
TAU BABII 25 Florea I Vasile PT................. 5295/15/3 2000 HAY
Marina Pavel, Toma Onita, Sokadi
TAU BABII 28 No P.T. 5295/10 12000 HAY
Rafila, Gruita Anica, Necsu Susana
TAU BABII 29 Sabau V Ioan, Vasile, Balau Valentina 14126_2157 5325/3 6000 HAY
TAU BABII 31 Florea Craciun No P.T. 5125/7 6000 HAY
TAU BABII 32 Pojar Laurean PT in process 3000 HAY
TAU BABII 33 Romanian Herpetological Society Sale Precontract 5125/6 3000 HAY
TAU BABII 34 Popa Ion PT................. 2124/5 1500 HAY
TAU BABII 35 Popa Teodor PT................. 5125/5/2 1500 HAY
TAU BABII 36 Alexe Ioan, Gheorghe si Rafila PT................. 5295/19/1 3000 HAY
TAU BABII 37 Alexe Ioan, Gheorghe si Rafila PT................. 5125/3 3000 HAY
TAU BABII 38 Ocnean Ion No P.T. 6000 HAY

CALEA MORII 01 Florea Ioan 14126_2196 2421_1 6000 ARA
CALEA MORII 02 Florea Ioan 14126_2196 5300_1 2300 HAY
CALEA MORII 03 TOWN HALL RESERVE 7689 HAY
CALEA MORII 04 Toma Constantin siToma Maria 19561_1687 2124_17 8000 HAY
CALEA MORII 05 Toma Constantin siToma Maria 19561_1687 2127_17 1000 ARA
Sale Precontract
CALEA MORII 07 Romanian Herpetological Society 2124/17 7500 HAY

CALEA MORII 08 Romanian Herpetological Society Sale Precontract 2127/15 4400 ARA
CALEA MORII 09 Vasut Horea 19595_1736 2421_5 5000 ARA
CALEA MORII 10 Vasut Horea 19595_1736 5300_5 3700 HAY
CALEA MORII 11 Pojar Nicolae No P.T. 3000 ARA
CALEA MORII 12 Vaida Maria No P.T. 3000 ARA

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CALEA MORII 13 Bogdan E Aurel 19595_1707 2421_7 2000 ARA
CALEA MORII 14 Bogdan E Aurel 19595_1707 5300_7 1000 HAY
CALEA MORII 15 Oarga Anica 14086_2002 2121_9 6000 ARA
CALEA MORII 16 Oarga Anica 14086_2002 2124/9 1000 HAY
CALEA MORII 17 TOWN HALL RESERVE 6000 ARA
CALEA MORII 19 Florea Victor No P.T. 3000 ARA
CALEA MORII 20 Gherman Maria No P.T. 3000 HAY
CALEA MORII 21 Florea Andron No P.T. 3000 ARA
CALEA MORII 22 Romanian Herpetological Society Sale Precontract 2127/7 3000 ARA
CALEA MORII 23 Macarie Pavel No P.T. 3900 ARA
CALEA MORII 24 AlexandruTeodor No P.T. 10000 ARA

Land owners at the end of the project:

Number Total Date
Name of the Name of Actual Location of the Land register
Nr. of surface (dd/mm/y
Former Owner Owner Land n°
parcels (Ha.) y)
Lopadea Noua /
1 Macarie Viorica Rom. Herp. Society 1 0.6 1737 7/5/2008
Ciuguzel
Lopadea Noua /
2 Oarga Victor Rom. Herp. Society 1 0.3 1736 7/5/2008
Ciuguzel
Lopadea Noua /
3 Toma Iosif Rom. Herp. Society 1 0.9 1748 9/6/2008
Ciuguzel
Lopadea Noua / 10/23/200
4 Pojar Victor Rom. Herp. Society 1 0.6 1743
Ciuguzel 8
5 Rusu Maria Rom. Herp. Society 1 0.6093 1730
Ciuguzel 8
6 Turceanu Ioan Rom. Herp. Society 1 1.13 1742
Ciuguzel 8
7 Turceanu Ion Rom. Herp. Society 1 1.01 1735
Ciuguzel 8
Pojar Ioan si Lopadea Noua /
8 Rom. Herp. Society 1 0.2 1741 2/18/2009
Pojar Iuliana Ciuguzel
Lopadea Noua / 70152; 70136;
9 Alexa Elena Rom. Herp. Society 3 2.9295 9/12/2009
Ciuguzel 70170
Lopadea Noua / 70144; 70145;
10 Suciu Gheorghe Rom. Herp. Society 4 2.55 9/12/2009
Ciuguzel 70148; 70151
Lopadea Noua / 70138; 70139;
11 Olar Vasile Rom. Herp. Society 3 4.2555 9/12/2009
Ciuguzel 70149
Lopadea Noua /
12 Balau Aurel Rom. Herp. Society 2 2.99 70140; 70142 9/12/2009
Ciuguzel
Lopadea Noua / 70182; 70176;
13 Vasile Petru Rom. Herp. Society 3 4.1 11/3/2009
Ciuguzel 70183
Lopadea Noua / 70153; 70155;
14 Oarga Gligor Rom. Herp. Society 4 2.0544 3/16/2010
Ciuguzel 70164; 70165
Balau Gheorghe Lopadea Noua /
15 Rom. Herp. Society 2 2.38 70135; 70162 3/16/2010
Calan Ciuguzel
Lopadea Noua / 70137; 70158;
16 Radu Manaila Rom. Herp. Society 3 1.8 3/16/2010
Ciuguzel 70167
Lopadea Noua / 70141; 70150;
17 Radu Manaila Rom. Herp. Society 4 8.12 3/16/2010
Ciuguzel 70157; 70166
Indreiu Marian Lopadea Noua / 70172; 70181;
18 Rom. Herp. Society 3 1.8 3/9/2010
Catalin Ciuguzel 70185
Lopadea Noua / 70143; 70159;
19 Alexa Domnica Rom. Herp. Society 4 3.42 3/9/2010
Ciuguzel 70161; 70256
Lopadea Noua /
20 Alexa Ioan Rom. Herp. Society 2 1.2 70175; 70259 3/11/2010
Ciuguzel
70207; 70211;
Balau Ioan si Lopadea Noua / 70184; 70171;
21 Rom. Herp. Society 7 3.69 3/30/2010
Balau Gheorghe Ciuguzel 70177; 70178;
70280

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Lopadea Noua /
22 Bagaian Ion 0.3 5295/10 9/4/2008
Rom. Herp. Society Ciuguzel 1
TOTAL 46.9387

2.1.3 Limits / boundaries
For the “Scientific Reserve” we tried to follow as much as possible natural limits but were forced to
eliminate ploughed land, and thus the limits comprise the most important land for vipers and the south-
exposed side of the hill Cicard (fig.1 and 2).

Figure 2. Project areas: yellow line=Nature2000 site; dark blue=land parcels bought by the Romanian Herpetological Society

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2.2 Physical Environment Description

2.2.1 General Presentation
Tarnavelor Plateau includes the hills between Muresului Valley in north and west, Fagaras and Sibiu –
Apold Depressions in south, Transilvanian Subcarpathian Mountains in east. This relief unit is formed by
the two Târnava Valleys, being brake down into three subunits: Small Tarnava Hills in north, Secaselor
Plateau in south-west and Hartibaciului Plateau in east.
The plateau relief is formed by association of the long crests cut by the two erosion levels, and the deep
valleys. The valley slopes, carved in soft, friable rocks, are strongly modified by landfall and other
environmental factors which form a detailed micro-morphology extremely diverse (the most spectacular
relief forms being the ones from Râpa Rosie close to Sebeş town). Here, the erosion uncovered micro-
conglomerates from Oligocene.
Moreover, the altitude decrease from east to west: at the contact with Subcarpathians, the highest hills
having more then 800 m while at the eastern extremity the peaks altitude decrease until 250-300 m. The
valleys are open, with no terraces or having very fragmented ones, with open, plane meadows, suitable for
agriculture.

2.2.2 Geology and Geomorphology
The Scientific Reserve area is part of the Bucerdea and Panade Hills. These hills are situated at north-west
of Tarnava Mica River, Tarnava Mare and Mureş rivers and, at the west of Dumbrava Valley. Bucerdea and
Pănade Hills were shaped in mio-pliocene structures (Ocnisoara-Blaj, Panade-Balcaciu). However, the
structural relief is poor represented, except the south-west side.

2.2.3 Hydrology
The basins of Panade and Bucerdea rivers are very well developed, with well organized tributary streams
that ended up by deeply fragmenting the region (fig.3 and 4). The deep valleys look like sometimes
asymmetrical depressions, because of the inclination of the layers. The bottom of the valleys developed on
the argillaceous marls is deep, but swampy and humid (Bucerdea, Panade), easy floodable during rain
showers or during the melting of the snow. At Ocnisoara (Fig.5.), the intersecting of the salted layer
resulted in a small salty swamp that accentuates the impression of the dryness of the area (Josan, 1979).

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Fig. 3. Sattelite view (Google Earth 4.0) of the Tarnava Mica Valley with the project area in red.

2.2.4 Climate
The large opening of the plain toward south-west (Mures, Tarnave) allows the warm air to penetrate, wich is
reflected in the value of annual avergae temperature value: 9ºC in Secaselor Plateau; the temperature
progressively decreases toward east, geting to 7 - 8ºC at the contact with eastern mountains (Persani
Mountains). In January, the temperature oscillates between -2 and -4ºC, the lowest values beeing observed
on the bottom of the valleys because of the presence of thermic inversions wich affect these lands in the
cold season. July is the hottest month of the year and the average temperature values increase from east
(17ºC) to west (20ºC). The precipitations present an obvious fragmenting, the most distant the Mures river
side is and close the mountain side is, the most increases the annual precipitation quantity, from 515
mm/year in Secaselor Plateau until more then 900m/year in the east side (Romanian Geography, 1987).

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Fig. 4. Aspect of the valleys in tributary streams of Tarnava Mica river

2.2.5 Pedology
The most common are the clay and clay-loam grounds, belonging to the cambi-soil class; on the slopes with
a argillaceous marl ground, pseudo-rendzines are formed and the meadows are included in alluvial and
hydromorph soils. On the larger terraces, with favorable pedogenetic conditions, a wide variety of
chernozem appeared (Raboca, 1995).

Fig.5. The small salty swamp at Ocnişoara
2.3 Biological Environment Description

2.3.1 Flora and plant communities
On the Tarnava Mica and Podisul Secaselor Plateaux, the forest vegetation comprises oak (Quercus robur)
mixed with hornbeam (Carpinus betulus), durmast (Quercus petraea), elm, lime, field maple, wild cherry
(Pop, 2000). Hartibaciului Plateau belongs to durmast (Quercus petraea) belt, its East half, higher, being
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populated with beech (Fagus silvatica). In the Southern part of the unit the commomn oak (Quercus robur)
is largely spread. Meadows are dominated by xerophytic and mezophytic associations, edificated by Stipa
lessingiana, S. pulcherrima, Festuca valesiaca, Brachypodium pinnatum, and Carex humilis. These
communities harbour endemic, rare, endangered or vulnerable species (Scutellaria supina, Globularia
punctata, Salvia trassilvanica, Serratula radiata, Haplophyllum suaveolens, Echium russicum, Crambe
tataria etc).
Botanical research relieve a large floristic biodiversity (vascular plants), which is due to pedoclimatic
conditions and also to modifications appeared as a result of land use. Relief and microrelief facilitated
installation of some plant species belonging to more or less distant bioregions.
In these meadows were inventoried 341 taxons of which 12 subspecies and one hybrid (Prunella laciniata x
P. vulgaris); they are comprised in 48 botanical families. Gramineous plants are dominating quantitatively,
having 36 species. Qualitatively, the most important is Asteraceae family, followed by Apiaceae,
Scrofulariaceae and Liliaceae (each of them with more than 10 species).
Of a floristic point of view, Eurasiatic species are dominating, followed by European and Central-European
ones. Exposition and inclination offer microhabitat conditions for numerous termophilous species:
Mediterranean, submediterranean, pontic, pannonic, or ponto-pannonic ones. Some of them have important
populations in the area (Ajuga laxmannii, Astragalus monspessulanus, Astragalus vesicarius, Cephalaria
uralensis, Inula ensifolia, Inula germanica, Jurinea ledebourii, Scutellaria supina, Thymus glabrescens
etc.), and ones appear only sporadically (Allium albidum subsp. albidum, Aristolochia pallida, Carduus
hamulosus, Echium russicum etc.).
Another category is formed by the species that are protected by Romanian laws (red lists). Of these, 13
species were found in the searched area:

Allium albidum subsp. albidum
1 (A. flavescens) Pont R Alliac
2 Aristolochia pallida Med R Aristol
3 Cephalaria uralensis Pont-Balc A,R Dipsac
4 Crambe tataria Pont-Pan V/R Brassic
5 Dictamnus albus Eua (Med; cont) V/R Rutac
6 Genista januensis Alp-Carp-Balc R Fabac
7 Onosma arenaria Eur (cont) b, E Borag
8 Peucedanum tauricum Pont R Apiac
9 Prunus tenella Eua (cont) V Rosac
10 Salvia transsilvanica Dac (End) A, R Lamiac
11 Scutellaria supina Eua (cont) R Lamiac
12 Serratula radiata Pont-Pan R Asterac
13 Veratrum nigrum Eua (cont) R Liliac

Abbreviations: R – Rare; E – Endangered; V – Vulnerable; A – areal restricted to a single area; b – subendemic
taxons, with the areal larger than national territory, but expanded only in the vicinity of it.

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Two species of Communitary importance were found: Echium russicum and Crambe tataria.
The forests in the vicinity of Scientific Reserve have an important floristic composition: 107 species were
inventoried. Only two protected species were found here:
1 Neottia nidus-avis Eua (Med) R Orhidac
2 Veratrum nigrum Eua (cont) R Liliac

Haplophyllum suaveolens Haplophyllum suaveolens

Prunus tenella Prunus tenella

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Astragalus monspessulanum Astragalus vesicarius

Crambe tataria Genista januensis

Echium maculatum Jurinea simonkaiana

13

Globularia bisnagarica Globularia bisnagarica

Iris pumila Iris pumila

Linum tenuifolium Onosma arenaria

14

Orchis laxiflora Orchis ustulata

Prunela hybrids Salvia transsilvanica

Scutellaria supina Scutellaria supina

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Stipa lessingiana Stipa pulcherima

Veratrum nigrum Veratrum nigrum

Trinia glauca Lilium martagon

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2.3.2 Habitats
1. R1531: Ponto-panonian meadows of Festuca pseudovina and Achillea collina.
Nature 2000: 1530 Pannonic salt steppes and salt marshes.
Note: (Probably) due to the low concentration of salts, the floristic make-up does not contain all the species
quoted by the authors of the Romanian habitats for this particular site.
This habitat stretches along the canal towards Ocnişoara. It occupies horizontal surfaces of variable width,
stretching between the bottom of the hill and the canal. The token association of the habitat is Achilleo-
Festucetum pseudovinae. The dominant species is Festuca pseudovina, and sometimes the co-dominant
species Artemisia pontica appears. It has a great conservation value.

R1531: Ponto-panonian meadows of Festuca pseudovina and Achillea collina

R1531: Ponto-panonian meadows of Festuca pseudovina and Achillea collina

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2.R3122: Ponto-paonian blackthorn shrubs (Prunus spinosa) and hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna).
Natura 2000: 40A0* Subcontinental peri-Pannonic shrub.
These shrubs are located in the researched perimeter in the shape of bushes of relatively small stretches,
along certain roads, fences, or in certain unenclosed meadows. It is made up of the Pruno spinosae-
Crataegetum association, where Prunus spinosa predominates. The habitat has moderate conservative value,
but constitutes the living ranges and safe haven of numerous species of vertebrate and invertebrate.

R3122: Ponto-paonian blackthorn shrubs (Prunus spinosa) and hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna).

3. R3131: Ponto-panonic shrubs of dwarf almond (Amygdalus nana)
Natura 2000: 40A0* Subcontinental peri-Pannonic shrub
It has a relatively restrained area, due to past anthropic pressures. Stretches predominantly on the hill tops,
where the token species Amygdalus nana is organized in well-defined populations. On some of the slops, the
populations are scarce, but with great potential for recovery, if anthropic pressure on them stops. Great
conservation value.

R3131: Ponto-panonic shrubs of dwarf almond (Amygdalus
nana)

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4. R3409: Pontic meadows of Stipa lessingiana, S. pulcherrima and S. joannis
Natura 2000: 62CO* Ponto-Sarmatic steppes
The steppes are some of the most appealing meadows, due to the habitus of the token species. The token
associations are Stipetum lessingiane, Stipetum pulcherrimae. In the researched habitat, the Stipetum
lessingiane association often predominates, being seemingly more resistant to the anthropo-zoogenic
impact. Stipa joannis has the most restrained populations in this territory. Moderate conservative value.

R3409: Pontic meadows of Stipa lessingiana, S. pulcherrima and S. joannis

R3409: Pontic meadows of Stipa lessingiana, S. pulcherrima and S. joannis

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5. R3414: Ponto-panonic meadows of Festuca valesiaca
Natura 2000: 6240 Subpannonic steppic grasslands
The most widespread habitat in the studied area. Frequent on the sunny slops of various inclination. The
token association is Medicagini minimae - Festucetum valesiacae, which houses sometimes species of
vegetation which are rare, endangered, or endemic to the Transilvanian flora or the Romanian flora (Allium
albidum subsp. albidum (A. flavescens), Pont – R, Cephalaria uralensis, Pont-Balc - A, R, Dictamnus
albus, Eua (Med; cont) - V/R, Genista januensis, Alp-Carp-Balc - R Globularia punctata, Med-Euc – R,
Haplophyllum suaveolens, Pont-Med ).

R3414: Ponto-panonic meadows of Festuca valesiaca

6.R4138: Dacian forest of durmast (Quercus petraea) and oak (Q. robur) with Acer tataricum.
Natura 2000: 9160 Sub-Atlantic and medio-European oak or oak-hornbeam forests of the Carpinium betuli.
Almost the sole remaining forests in the meadow floor are the oak and durmast forests, part of the Aceri
tatarico-Querdetum petraeae-robori association. Spread in relatively small surfaces, but with a notable
floristic composition and great conservation value.

20

R4138: Dacian forest of durmast (Quercus petraea) and oak (Q. robur) with Acer tataricum

R4138: Dacian forest of durmast (Quercus petraea) and oak (Q. robur) with Acer tataricum

21

2.3.3 Fauna
2.3.3.1 Invertebrate Fauna
Little studies were performed up to now: lepidopteran collecting outcomed a unmber of 338 species
belonging to 27 families. Of these:
Nr. of
CATEGORY
species
very common 15
common/ very common 6
common 59
rare/common 104
rare 141
very rare 13
TOTAL SPECIES 338

Easily can be observed that almost half of all are rare (45%) and other 30.7% are rare/common. The area
needs a much more accurate study.
The 13 very rare species are shown in the table:
Species Author Observations
Ethmia terminella T. Fletcher, 1938
Depressaria marcella Rebel, 1901
Very rare. Living most in South
Episcythris triangulella (Ragonot, 1874)
Europe and Northern Africa
Metalampra cinnamomea (Zeller, 1839)
Batia lambdella (Donovan, 1793)
Aristotelia subericinella (Duponchel, 1843)
Metzneria ehikeella Gozmâny, 1954 Lives on Centaurea scabiosa
Syncopacma incognitana Gozmâny, 1957
Nothris lemniscella (Zeller, 1839)
Cochylimorpha fucatana (Snellen, 1883) Asiatic species
(Herrich-Schăffer,
Cochylidia heydeniana
1851)
(Denis &
Dioryctria abietella
Schiffermuller, 1775)
Crambus perlella (Scopoli, 1763)

Depressaria marcella Metzneria ehikeella
22

Cochylidia heydeniana Cochylimorpha fucatana

Metalampra cinnamomea Metalampra cinnamomea

Crambus perlella Dioryctria abietella

Ethmia terminella Nothris lemniscella

23

Other observed butterfly and invertebrate species:

Iphiclides podalirius Inachis io

Colias sp. Argynnis paphia

Zygaena carniolica Brenthis hecate

24

Melanargia galathea Zygaena carniolica

Hyles euphorbiae Hyphoraia sp.

Plebejus argus Melitaea phoebe

25

Eudia pavonia Erynnis tages

Plebejus argus Everes argiades

Polyommatus icarus Inachis io larvae

26

Leptidea sinapis Aspects of night collectings

Aspects of night collectings

Other invertebrate species

Mantis religiosa Miltotrogus aequinoctialis

27

Eucera sp. Gymnopleurus sp

.

Carabus violaceus Dorcadion fulvum

Dorcadion aethiops Formica sp.

28

Meloe ovata Melolontha melolontha

2.3.3.2 Vertebrate Fauna
Amphibian and Reptiles (Herpetofauna)
14 herp species were observed in the studied area:
Romanian Legislation
Nr. Species Habitat Directive
(Ordonance 57/2007)
AMPHIBIANS
1 Triturus cristatus cristatus Laur., 1768 Annex II si IV Annex III si IV A
2 Triturus vulgaris ampelensis Fuhn, 1950 Annex III si IV A
3 Bombina bombina (L.) 1761 Annex II si IV Annex III si IV A
4 Bombina variegata variegata (L.) 1758 Annex II si IV Annex III si IV A
5 Bufo viridis viridis Laur., 1768 Anexa IV Annex III si IV A
6 Pelobates fuscus fuscus (Laur.) 1768 Annex IV Annex III si IV A
7 Hyla arborea arborea (L.) 1758 Annex IV Annex IV A
8 Rana ridibunda ridibunda Pall., 1771
9 Rana dalmatina Bonaparte, 1840 Annex IV Annex IV A

REPTILES
1 Lacerta viridis (Laur.) 1768 Annex IV Annex IV A
2 Lacerta agilis L., 1758 Annex IV Annex IV A
3 Natrix natrix natrix (L.) 1758
4 Coronella austriaca austriaca Laur., 1768 Annex IV Annex IV A
5 Vipera ursinii rakosiensis (Bonaparte) 1835 * Annex II si IV Annex III si IV A

Of these, almost 80% are strictly protected at Number
Legislation of percent
European level, and almost 30% need special species
areas for protection. Total species 14 100%
HD Annex II 4 28.57%
Of all herp species, only two are not protected. HD Annex IV 11 78.57%
HD Annex II and IV 4 28.57%
Ord.57 Annex III 7 50%
Ord. 57 Annex IV A 12 85.71%

Ord. 57 Annex III and IV A 7 50%

29

Triturus vulgaris ampelensis Triturus cristatus

Bombina bombina Bombina variegata

Hybrid Bombina bombina x B. Variegata Bombina bombina in tipical habitat

30

Rana dalmatina Rana dalmatina clutch of eggs

Pelophyllax ridibundus Pelophyllax ridibundus

Hyla arborea mating Hyla arborea singing male

31

Bufo viridis Bufo viridis

Pelobates fuscus Pelobates fuscus clutch of eggs

Lacerta viridis male Lacerta viridis female

32

Lacerta viridis male Lacerta agilis male, variety erythronothus

Vipera ursinii male Vipera ursinii female

Coronella austriaca Coronella austriaca

33

Ornithofauna

A rich ornithofauna was observed in the studied area, despite apparent baldness of habitats. 69 bird species
were observed, of which 58 are nesting and 6 other it is possible to nest. Only 4 species are coming to feed
in the area.
Of all these species, only 11 are indexed in the Annex III of the Ordonance 57/2007:

Nr. Species Order Type

1 Anthus campestris Passeriformes nesting
2 Aquila chrysaetos Falconiformes feeding
3 Buteo rufinus Falconiformes possible nesting
4 Ciconia ciconia Ciconiiformes feeding
5 Circaetus gallicus Falconiformes nesting
6 Circus aeruginosus Falconiformes nesting
7 Dendrocopus syriacus Piciformes nesting
8 Emberiza hortulana Passeriformes nesting
9 Ixobrychus minutus Ciconiiformes nesting
10 Lanius collurio Passeriformes nesting
11 Lanius minor Passeriformes nesting

Other 14 species are strictly protected, according to Ordonance 57/2007 Annex IV B
Species Order Type
Nr.
1 Aegithalos caudatus Passeriformes nesting
2 Athene noctua Strigiformes nesting
3 Coccothraustes coccothraustes Passeriformes nesting
4 Corvus corax Passeriformes nesting
5 Erithacus rubecula Passeriformes nesting
6 Falco subbuteo Falconiformes nesting
7 Falco tinunculus Falconiformes nesting
8 Jynx torquilla Piciformes nesting
9 Locustella luscinioides Passeriformes nesting
10 Merops apiaster Passeriformes nesting
11 Motacila alba Passeriformes nesting
12 Oriolus oriolus Passeriformes nesting
13 Pernis apivorus Falconiformes possible nesting
14 Upupa epops Coraciiformes nesting

34

Buteo buteo nest Buteo rufinus

Falco tinunculus female nesting Falco tinnunculus eggs

Falco tinnunculus juveniles Falco subbuteo juvenile

35

Upupa epops Anthus trivialis (?)

Corvus corax Emberiza calandra

Erithacus rubecula eggs Oenanthe oenanthe

36

Lannius minor Perdix perdix

Phasianus colchicus male and female Saxicola torquata eggs

Mammals Fauna
Of the 12 observed species up to now in (Ordonance 57_2007)
Nr. Species Group
Annex III Annex IV A Annex IV B
the studied area, only one is listed in
1 Sus scrofa Artiodactyla
Annex III of Ordonance 57/2007, 2 Capreolus capreolus Artiodactyla

necesiting special areas for protection. 3 Sorex sp. Insectivora
4 Erinaceus concolor Insectivora
Three other species are strictly protected 5 Talpa europaea Insectivora

(Annex IVA) and one is protected only at 6 Lepus europaeus Lagomorpha
7 Muscardinus avellanarius Rodentia x
national level (Annex IV B): 8 Spalax leucodon Rodentia x
9 Cricetus cricetus Rodentia x
10 Meles meles Carnivora
11 Vulpes vulpes Carnivora
12 Canis lupus Carnivora x x

37

Canis lupus (foto Cosmin Manci P.N.Retezat) Vulpes vulpes (foto Tudor Ghira)

Sus scrofa Capreolus capreolus female with young

Meles meles (foto Internet) Erinaceus concolor

38

Sorex sp. Talpa europaea

Lepus europaeus (foto Internet) Cricetus cricetus (foto Internet)

Muscardinus avellanarius Spalax graecus

39

2.4 Cultural Aspects, land-use in past
Three main land using were identified: ploughing, haymaking and grazing. A small village named Cicârd
was settled there in last centuries; in 1963 the villagers moved to Ciuguzel, 4.5 km distance, and only one
empty house remained in Cicârd until 2007 when it was destroyed by the owner. The main reason for
village moving was the very bad shape of the roads; when raining, they were impassable.
Never was practiced here an intensive agriculture, even if in all the area were CAP (Agricultural Production
Cooperatives = communist system of exploitation), and the Guvern took almost all land from the owners,
after the 2nd World War. Each villager remained only with one small piece of land, usually around the
house. This was for them another reason to move closer to a town. Many of men hired in industry in Aiud.
After so called Revolution (1989), villagers received back their land but only a part of them started to use it.
Most of them are old, without a real chance to cultivate land.

2.5 Socio-economic aspects, actual land-use
As one can see on the satellite maps, at present, very few lands are used for ploughing. The Cicârd valley
can be divided into two sides: the northern exposed part, where land is still used for agriculture (about 40%),
and the southern exposed part, where only a very small percent of the land is ploughed (less than 10%). The
plane land was used as hayfield and for grazing.
Corn cultures predominate, but also clover is cultivated.

2.5.1 Local communities
All the land in the project area belongs to locals from the village Ciuguzel. Parts of the land belong to the
town house and to the local Church (Orthodox Parish). The majority of locals are Romanians. The sun of a
Hungarian baron that possessed lands in the area (and now having half of the Ciuguzel forest) returned
temporarily in Ciuguzel.
The villages from vicinity could also influence the project area: Asinip village, situated north to Cicârd,
Ocnişoara at south-west, and Biia, at south-east. Of all these, Ocnişoara seems to disappear the first, having
only 30-40 old inhabitants.

2.5.2 Stakeholders
Locals from Ciuguzel are the most important stakeholders. But most of them are old (some of them died
from the beginning of the project), and very few (15-20 families) are still working the land in Cicârd.
Another stakeholder is an Italian that bought large land surfaces (about 200-300 ha) in the vicinity of the
project area, mainly from Asinip and Ocnişoara territories.
Local Council is another important factor; it possesses large pasture surfaces, some of them very important
for our purpose.
Orthodox Parish is also important, not only for the pieces of land, but also for the influence it could have
on the locals’ decisions.
40

.

3. Aim of the Scientific Reserve “Fâna ele lui Suciu”
Long term conservation of the only Vipera ursinii rakosiensis population from Romania.

4. Management
4.1 Objectives
Increase the population of Vipera ursinii rakosiensis
Improve the quality of natural habitats in the scientific reserve
Reconstruct of the natural habitats in the scientific reserve, where necessary
Raise awareness and educate the local communities on the protection/conservation of Vipera ursinii
rakosiensis

4.2 Threats/Actions
3. What it was realized up to
Nr. 1. Threat 2. What it is proposed
now
-Leasing for two years about 40
hectares of pastures
-Discussions with shepherds
about the importance of the area
(not mentioned about vipers)
Reducing/control of the
1 Overgrazing -Posting on the land of
grazing
indicators with the inscription
“Poisoned field”
-Petition to the County Police,
Local Police, EPA, and
Environmental Guard
Discussions with shepherds
Control /eliminating of
about the importance of the area
2 Meadow burning burning
Petition to the County Police,
Local Police
Enlargement of the meadow 47 hectares of land was bought;
areas by buying the rest of Preliminary discussions with
the meadows. locals for land exchange
Barter exchange of the
Very few suitable meadow areas for
3 lands: RHS give lands on
V.u.r.
the northern exposed side of
the hill and receive lands on
the southern exposed side

Solidago canadensis and Robinia Control of Solidago Identifying areas where the two
pseudacacia two invasive species canadensis and Robinia species occurs
4 that could reduce the quality of the pseudacacia invasive
habitats and thus the number of species and habitat
V.u.r. populations reconstruction
5 Bought land is ploughing land Habitat reconstruction Nothing
Control of wild boar Nothing
One vertebrate species threat: wild
6 populations
boar
Locals are still ignorant about the Local people awareness in Discussions with locals about
7 existence of Vipera ursinii order to know and protect the importance of the Cicârd
population Vipera ursinii rakosiensis area (a lot of plant and animal

41

species) Not yet mentioned
especially V.u.r.
Three rangers were trained in
Effective protection of the
Vipera ursinii rakosiensis population May 2008, but because there
V.u.r. population by hiring
8 is reducing due to different factors was no founds (!) no one could
rangers full time job.
(mainly grazing) be hired.
Ranger house building
A house was constructed

In order to achieve all these objectives, we established some activities that should be done.

4.3 Land
First of all, it is necessary to identify in field all the real limits of all bought parcels and then mark these
limits with landmarks. Depending on the localisation of the parcel, it will be ulterior established if it is
necessary to enclose some of them. This activity is very necessary in order to stop the destructive effects of
humans, sheep, and wild boar.

Another important activity is enlargement of the meadow areas by buying/leasing the rest of the land in the
core area. This activity is possible by barter exchange: RHS already possesses some hectares of land on the
northern exposed side of the Cicârd Valley, and will offer these areas in exchange with other areas on the
southern exposed side of the same valley. We are speaking here about ploughing land. We already had
discussions with some owners (Pojar family) and they agree the exchange.

4.4 Grazing
Another activity is control (reduce/stop) of grazing. The meadows are exposed to illegal grazing. Shepherds
know that majority of locals are old and not very interested to keep their field in good condition event they
don’t produce any crop. So they are used to take advantage and to graze everywhere. In 2005 and 2006 parts
of the core area were leased by our society and shepherds were warned to stop grazing. But in the last two
springs, they overgrazed almost all areas, because of the very dry season. In 2010 spring, the situation
changed, mainly because of the very rainy season: the grass is abundant all over the hills, so sheep were not
forced to graze illegally.
Up to now, our efforts to make shepherds understand there is a natural reserve there, had little result.
Then we made complaint to County Police, Local Police, EPA and Environment Guard. Then we made
flyers with the map of Nature2000 site and scientific reserve limits and spread to shepherds. Then called all
of them to Local Police Station and let them know the punishments if they will graze in the protected areas.
Also we planted warning boards with the inscription “Poisoned field” in the most important areas.
Fencing some of the bought parcels (in the core area) will eliminate sheep access.

42

Aspects of grazing impact in the area:

4.5 Meadow burning
This practice is legally forbidden in Romania (Ordonance 57/2007). But it is still used at large scale by the
shepherds, in order to improve the quality of the pastures. It is very difficult to fight against this practice.
Even fencing would not be very helpful. Only a permanent surveillance could stop it.
In the Life project it was a distinct activity “Ranger house building”; in Fall 2008 (monitoring team visit)
CRIM decided to build a small house for rangers. Also three rangers were trained in May 2008, but then
RHS had no financing from CRIM and could not pay any ranger.
Finally, in December 2009, the small house was erected.

Meadow burning aspects:

43

Burning of reed is destructive for a lot of butterfly and other invertebrate species that lay eggs in the dry
reed in fall. Next spring the larvae have no opportunity to emerge, because fire is usually in February or
early March.

Invasive plant species
Two invasive plant species could influence the Vipera ursinii rakosiensis population: Solidago canadensis
and Robinia pseudacacia. At this moment they are not dangerous, having small populations; but without
any measure, they could spread and disturb the pastures. Also, Prunus spinosa could influence negatively
the microhabitats in the area. Up to now, meadow burning had a positive effect on reducing Prunus spinosa
bushes. But for the future serious measures is necessary to stop spreading this shrub.

44

Solidago canadensis: nothing grows under the thick layer of this invasive species

Robinia pseudacacia: a potential threat of dry meadows

Prunus spinosa: even a native species, it could reduce the surface of good meadows

4.7 Wild boar activity
There were two springs (2007 and 2009) when wild boars destroyed small parts of core area, searching
edible roots. In 2007 very little activity was observed but in 2009 about 15 ploughing areas were counted. It
is known that they do not hesitate to eat any lizard or snake when find them. Settling of a boar family in the
surroundings could be a serious danger for Vipera ursinii rakosiensis.

45

As a possible measure to be taken it could be destruction of a large area of Prunus spinosa shrubs, where
these animals could have shelter. These shrubs are situated on the northern exposed side of the Cicârd hill.
But this measure is not suitable for ornithofauna and other animal species. For the moment it is necessary to
find out where these boars are coming from.

46

Saving Vipera ursinii rakosiensis- Protected area management plan

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