Monitoring

Arnica montana is an important species for Apuseni Mountains not only from conservative point of view, but also from the economic one. Identification of the impact factors upon Arnica montana habitats, their classification depending on the size of the impact and conversion of this impact into the variables needed to create a complete model of analysis and monitoring show a remarkable importance in this moment. Thus, the future hypothesis will be put forward and tested based on a realistic as possible model and it will have a decisive role in elaborating a few sustainable management strategies for Arnica montana habitats.

The goal of monitoring is to study certain biologic peculiarities of Arnica montana and to evaluate the inflorescences resources in order to set the potential and sustainable yield, respectively to survey the use manner of this resource. The specific objectives are the following: the study of biologic and agronomic features; setting the potential yield for Gârda de Sus commune; setting the sustainable yield; study of the harvest manner; elaborating a classification of habitats depending on the yield; measuring the anthropogenic influence on the systems.

The methodology was elaborated not only within the Arnica Project, but also after this project ended (2007-2012). The research and interpretation methods of results have been adapted in order to be easy to understand and to create an image concerning the use of the Arnica inflorescences resource.

Annually, monitoring reports are elaborated and, based on it the action strategy of Ecoherba- Bioflora Apuseni System is set in order to comply with the principles of sustainable use of the Arnica montanainflorescences resource. At the same time, the monitoring reports must prove the sustainability of the resource’s use, a condition self-imposed and requested by the beneficiary Weleda.

The monitoring reports are put at the disposal of the Institute of Biologic Research, Administration of Apuseni Natural Park and of Weleda, the beneficiary company.