Restoring biodiversity through
traditional meadow management in the Eastern Carpathians
The hay meadows of Transylvania are legendary for their beauty and biodiversity. Some of these semi-natural grasslands hold up to 81 plant species in just a few square meters—making them some of the most species-rich habitats in Europe. They also support pollinators, birds, and small mammals, while sustaining centuries-old traditions of farming and haymaking.
The Challenge
In recent decades, these meadows have been abandoned or converted into intensive pastures. Mechanization, fertilizers, and the loss of traditional knowledge have accelerated biodiversity decline. Without intervention, outer hay meadows—the most diverse—face rapid encroachment by shrubs and forest.
Our Approach
We are working hand-in-hand with local farmers in the Ciuc and Gyimes Valleys to manage hay meadows using traditional, low-impact methods:
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Mowing with small mowers, without tractors
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Cutting at ecologically optimal times, after plants have set seed
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Applying locally collected hayseed on degraded parcels to restore diversity
This system functions as a payment for ecosystem services: farmers are compensated for their labor and ecological stewardship, ensuring that traditional practices remain viable in today’s economy.
Why It Matters
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Protects one of Europe’s last strongholds of high-diversity meadows
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Sustains cultural heritage and traditional ecological knowledge
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Supports pollinators, wildlife, and high-quality livestock forage
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Offers a replicable model for community-based conservation
Below is a glimpse into our project meadows—capturing the beauty of flowering plants, the insects they sustain, and the people whose traditional work keeps these landscapes alive.
Click on the image to open the slideshow.
The meadows shown at the link below are the ones we restored together with Flow Hive in 2025
https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/2/edit?mid=1UHGelZO4URvcRcNJMYN49Mzixwh-ysY&usp=sharing
