Comparison of two neighbouring alkaline grasslands with different land uses: A conservation management perspective

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We compared two neighbouring alkaline grasslands from a nature conservation point of view. The two grasslands are situated in different countries, resulting in different land uses. This study characterises the vegetation of the area in focus using the categories of the General National Habitat Classification System (A-NER) and compares the two sides based on naturalness categories, diversity ordering, social behaviour types, differential species and some supplementary information (e.g. waste dumps, landscape elements). Plant diversity is greater on the Romanian side, but this is mainly due to disturbance tolerants, weeds and ruderal competitors. Thus, we conclude that the grassland on the Romanian side is overgrazed. In addition, there are other undesirable processes on the Romanian side. In contrast, the Hungarian side is undergrazed. We suggest that adverse effects of grazing should be minimised using careful grazing techniques and traditional methods on the Romanian side, while grazing should be re-established on the Hungarian side. Intensive nature conservation efforts must be made if we are to protect the considerable conservation values of the grasslands, which should be protected legally.