Contributions to the Evaluation of the Productivity of Natura 2000 Grassland Habitats in the Apuseni Mountains

Knowledge of the green mass production (GM) and the pastoral value (PV) of grasslands is of particular importance in the development of development projects and their adequate management. The paper studied 10 doctoral theses and two scientific synthesis papers on grassland vegetation, based on which their productivity was evaluated. The GM production of grasslands used for grazing in Habitats 6210 and 6520 is on average 9.46 t/ha where we have normal vegetation and only 1.44 t/ha GM in those with degraded vegetation, over 6 times lower. The pastoral value in Habitats 6210 and 6520 was on average 53.8 PV which ensures 4,900 liters of milk per hectare on normal grasslands and barely 1,100 l/ha on degraded ones. The grasslands used mainly as hay in Habitat 6510 had the highest production of 18.5 t/ha green mass and 75.3 PV index, while Habitat 6410 had the lowest production of only 0.45 t/ha GM and 3.5 PV. Habitat 6440 had values of 14.55 t/ha GM and 66.4 PV index. The data are still used in the economic evaluation of the grasslands in Apuseni after their inventory and mapping.