@ARTICLE{Neculau_Gianina_A_2021, author={Neculau, Gianina and Minea, Gabriel and Ciobotaru, Nicu and Ioana-Toroimac, Gabriela and Mircea, Sevastel and Mititelu-Ionuș, Oana and Rodrigo-Comino, Jesús}, number={No 51}, pages={144-151}, journal={Journal of Water and Land Development}, howpublished={online}, year={2021}, publisher={Polish Academy of Sciences; Institute of Technology and Life Sciences - National Research Institute}, abstract={This study aims to investigate how grazing is perceived across the Curvature Subcarpathians (Romania) by farmers. We investigate farmers’ attitudes toward and understanding of grazing practice and associated processes involving small ruminants (sheep and goats). Additionally, we review the scientific literature and new discussions about grazing vs overgrazing terms and changes in the Romanian small ruminant livestock. Results of the survey on the total of 101 case studies from villages in 3 counties (Damboviţa, Buzau, and Vrancea) show that: (i) grazing is differently perceived; (ii) most of the areas designated for grazing are located near riverbanks (over 55%); most of the respondents reported that the areas intended for grazing are quite close to the inhabited areas; distances are less than 2.5 km; and over 60% of respondents believe that the areas are continuously subject to soil degradation processes; (iii) answers given in connection with the issues addressed provide both relevance to the Curvature Subcarpathians (6792 km2) and the potential impact of higher pressure of grazing on local areas due to the discouragement of specific transhumance policies (more than 60% required subsidies). The average stocking density is about 4.7 head per ha. In general, beyond different farmers’ perceptions, a scientific question remains open regarding the quantitative impact of grazing on hydrological processes. Hence, a field survey (e.g., rainfall-runoff experiments) to assess grazing pressure on water and soil resources will be performed.}, type={Article}, title={A survey of farmer approach to grazing: A case study of the Curvature Subcarpathians, Romania}, URL={http://journals.pan.pl/Content/122165/PDF-MASTER/2021-04-JWLD-17-Neculau.pdf}, doi={10.24425/jwld.2021.139024}, keywords={Curvature Subcarpathians, grazing, human perception, hydrology, regional studies, small ruminants}, }