Influence of the Grazing Conditions on the Floristic Diversity in the South Eastern part of the Gutai Mountains, the Maramures County

Abstract

Phytosociological studies have been carried out to estimate species richness and species diversity in area where shepherding is an ancient custom. Our research has been conducted on the Gutai Mountains meadows, on an area of 130 hectares, aiming to monitor the diversity of plant species and the pastoral value of the grazing lands, used to feed the animals. Data processing was done based on botanical sampling, the pastoral value has been calculated, and the diversity has been estimated with the Shannon (H'). Thus, we have observed that after annual grazing, and lack of the pasture improvement measures, the floristic diversity suffers. Values Shannon index (H') are between 1.17 and 2.63, as the meadows is being invaded by low forage value species (eg. Nardus stricta ) that occupy a considerable area. The pastoral value of the pasture was also calculated, that was of 0.85 points; this low value being influenced by overgrazing, soil compaction, tendency of invasive plants with low nutritional value. The influence of uncontrolled grazing on mountain pasture results in a decrease in pasture productivity due to reduced diversity of grassy carpet, where acidophilus species have appeared, and weeds have invaded the grazing land area. It is well to remember that the long-term exerted anthropogenic pressure on grasslands affects the ecosystem diversity.