L. Lőkös szerk.: Studia Botanica Hungarica 27-28. 1996-97 (Budapest, 1978)

Höhn, Mária: Vascular flora of the Kelemen (Calimani) Mts on the side of the Maros (Mures) river drainage area

Borders: On north the margin of the volcanic caldera (the ridge), on south the river flow, on east the Mermezeu valley, along the Zebrac clearing, Cica, Cocos, Dragus volcanic plateau and Retitis (2021 m). The Calimanel brook and its drainage area was not included, while this does not inflow on the territory of the defile. On west the Bistra brook, along the Stejii, Moldoveanca plateau until the mountain ridge (Bistricioara top 1990 m). Geologically the territory is characterised by andesitic bedrock: volcano-sedimentary formations, and lava flows with many kinds of amphibolitic and piroxenic variations. Geomorphologically there are three distinctive parts: central caldera and volcanic cones (the highest, Mt Pietrosz - 2102 m), volcanic plateau (formed by lava flows), separated by watersheds (sedimentary zone). The pettographic diversity and the hydroclimatic factors gave rise to a varied surface. Climatic characteristics of the territory The main climatic characteristics are demonstrated in the following three Walther-diagrams (Figs la-c). Temperature and rainfall averages are also indicated. Population, economic factors The whole territory is very sparsely populated: 200-400 inhabitants/km . Industrialised territories are small only quarries (Mesterháza), mines (Negoiul Romanesc), waterpower station and its accompanying buildings (Ratosnya, Andráspataka). Road-ways are only along the river, and to the Ratosnya barrage. In the other brook valleys there are forestry roads, and shepherd's paths. The main occupation of the inhabitants is forestry-, and grazing-works. Agriculture is only house-holding. Disturbance factors: intensive grazing, tourism and built of the barrage lake and hydroelectric power stations. Nature protection: The first protected area was the surroundings of lake Iezer. From October 1995 the territory of the defile was declared Landscape Protection Area. There is also a project for creating a National Park on the upper montane and alpine zone. The history of floristical researches The first floristical notes date back to the last century. In works and herbaria of prominent scientists like J. C. BAUMGARTEN, F. PORCIUS, V. JANKA, C. G. T. KOTSCHY and P. J. F. SCHUR there are several data concerning the flora of the Kelemen Mts. M. FUSS published in 1866 "Flora Transsilvaniae excursoria" in which he made a critical process of the existing data, completing with his owns. He mentioned about 30 species from the territory of the Kelemen Mts, e.g. Rhodiola rosea, Arabis coerulea, Valeriana tripteris, Carex atrata, Coeloglossum viride,