Transylvanian Cultural Landscapes

This 'mosaic' mowing pattern, the result of small-scale ownership, is very nature-friendly and is one of the reasons for the richness of the wildflowers and wild animals of the area.

Hay is still gathered by the whole family, using tools unchanged for hundreds of years .... but these methods also answer today's need for sustainable land use.

Village sheep and cattle are grazed in groups, using a common grazing system that is also a historic cultural treasure.

Cattle grazing is important, since cattle need hay over winter: while the cattle remain, hay meadows - the richest habitat for biodiversity - will be managed by the local farmers. If abandoned, the grasslands lose their floristic diversity.

The complex landscape, including rare geological features such as these 'tumps' of small isolated hillocks, offers a great variety of micro-habitats, very adaptable to climate change and haven for a range of rare species.

One third of the landscape is old-growth hard wood forest, which provides firewood for the villages, benign conditions for the grasslands nearby, and nesting places for eagles and bears. This kind of balanced landscape is nearly lost in Europe.

The meadows have become important sites for studies of how best to balance nature with production, to give the world a sustainable future.

Adonis vernalis, Pheasants eye, one of the many European rare species which has strong populations in the area

Salvia nutans, the Nodding Sage, an iconic plant of the area.

Trollius europaeus, Globe flower, found in the damp hay meadows. Haymeadows like these are the most endangered habitat type in Europe today: 98% have been lost in western Europe.

Gladiolus imbricatus, the Marsh Galdiolus, is also found in damp meadows. It is seen here with Galium verum, Lady's Bedstraw, which can be used as a natural rennet for cheese making as well as a historically a pleasant stuffing for mattresses.

A spectacular species of medium damp-dry grasslands, Viper's bugloss, Echium maculatum.

The village of Roades surrounded by haymeadow: here yellow hay-rattle predominates.

Rhinanthus rumelicus, the local species of hay-rattle, is so called because if the seeds rattle in the seed-pods when you walk through the hay meadow, it is ready to mow.

The wild flora is rich even in the edges of villages.

Another beautiful butterfly species, Speckled Wood (Parage achine)

Red-band Fritillary, Melitaea didyma, on Nodding Sage

The many protected bird species found in the area include Lanius minor, the Lesser Grey Shrike. Shrikes are also nicknamed Butcherbirds from their habit of hanging captured prey on a hook or in a tree fork, or crevice, as a larder to which they return for future feeding.

The villages are also home to important protected bird species: here the white stork (Ciconia ciconia) is nesting on the school roof in Viscri.

The most impressive fauna species of the area are the European grey Wolf (Canis lupus) and the European Brown bear (Ursus arctos). This is one of the last regions of lowland farmed Europe still living in happy balance with these top predators, which are important for keeping nature in balance.