Hays management of the reservoir during the autumn of 2008 - Corncrake habitat conservation
One of the main problems of the area at the moment is the hay making abandonment from many plots. There are a few causes for this situation and the problem is not easy to be solved. The consequences for biodiversity are negative especially for some plant and animal species. Thus, if a hay field is not mown for a few years a natural vegetation succession is occurring. The hay vegetation is removed with bushes or trees such as willows. In this way some important plant species from the national Red List, from the Habitat Directive, or considered as rare for this area could disappeared. In the north- western side of the reservoir there is a small marsh area with some kind of species: Pedicularis sceptrum carolinum, Ligularia sibirica – included in Habitat Directive Annex 2, Menyanthes trifoliata, Comarum palustre, Valeriana simplicifolia, Dactylorhiza incarnata, Epipactis palustris, Trollius europaeus, Fritillaria meleagris etc. Another negative consequence is the Corn Crake (Crex crex) habitat degradation. This threatened bird is yearly monitored within the western shore of the reservoir and in the Hamaradia valley where at least 6-7 calling males are identified. Their number is obviously higher within the boundaries of the whole Natura 2000 Site “Dumbravita-Rotbav-Magura Codlei”.
The Regulation and the Management Plan of this protected area have foreseen special actions and measures to conserve the specific habitats of the Corn Crake especially the hayfields / meadows. Thus, during the autumn of 2008 there were mown 2 ha of hay fields on the western shore of the reservoir. The hay has been collected by the local community. There will be also implemented another methods for the next years: prescribed burning on a legally and controlled basis.
The hay making of the autumn of 2009 has been financially supported by the members of the Romanian Ornithological Society – Brasov Branch but it is necessary a project to yearly implement these management actions.
ROS – Brasov Branch thanks to Local Counselor Stefan Olaianos (Dumbravita Local Council) and Mister Vasile Langa for their support in the hay making action.
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