Species with Indicative Values for the Management of the Mountain Grasslands

Abstract

The evaluation of grasslands is a current challenge of the agricultural policies in Romania. In the developed European countries this evaluation mode has been working for several years. To implement this initiative, it is necessary to elaborate a list of species with indicator value for the intensity of the applied management. The purpose of our research is to draw up a list of indicator species for the degree of fertilization intensity. The research activity was carried out in the Apuseni Mountains, as part of long-term experiences started in 2001. The technological inputs were applied annually. Within this paper, the data for 3 years was processed. Species with indicator value were identified using the “Indicator Species Analysis” (PC ORD) package. Following the application of fertilizers (organic and mineral), significant changes have been found at the level of vegetation cover. Based on the analysis of the indicator species, two lists of species with indicator value were produced. The evaluation of the grassland, according to the results, can be made based on the lists of indicator species elaborated within this study. These lists can provide support for beneficiaries of environmental and climate measures to self-assess agricultural practices on the farm and support for officials from institutions involved in verifying compliance with commitments.