FLORA ASPECTS IN THE SLĂNICUL DE BUZĂU WATERSHED Mihaela Ioana GEORGESCU, Marian MUŞAT, Alexandra Teodora RADU, Elena SĂVULESCU, Elisabeta DOBRESCU University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Bucharest, 59 Mărăşti Blvd, District 1, 011464, Bucharest, Romania Corresponding author email: mihaelaigeorgescu@yahoo.com Abstract In two valleys of the Slănicul de Buzău watershed were conducted a series of observations on evolution of floristic composition of two meadows under the influence of changes registered in recent years in the rainfall regime and the land uses. The decrease of the anthropogenic intervention, recorded in the last fifteen years, led to changes in floristic composition of meadows and has permitted the installation of two new species, considered rare in the subcarpathian watershed of Slănicul de Buzău: Gentiana cruciata and Echium maculatum. Key words: Aldeni, floristic composition, Gentiana cruciata, Echium maculatum. INTRODUCTION The wathershed Slănicul de Buzău is a relief unit of the Curvature Subcarpathian. The area, with a continental climate, is regarded as one of the most affected by climate change, by increasing the frequency of extreme weather events such as rainfall torrents that causes violent and rapid high floods (Costache and Fontanine, 2013). The fragile balance of the lands is affected by gully erosion and landslides that lead to loss of soil, exceeding 30-45 tonnes / ha / year (Ştirbu et al., 2010; Mircea and Petrescu, 2011). Vegetation, represented by secondary meadow, formed as a result of deforestation of deciduous forests, and lands with diverse uses (arable crops, grasslands, vineyards and orchards), plays an important role in diminishing of surfaces affected by runoff and gully erosion (Costache and Fontanine, 2013; Mircea and Petrescu, 2011). Changes, in recent years, on climate regime and land use are detected in vegetation also. There are few works about flora and vegetation of this area and they are owed, mainly, to V. Ciocârlan (1968, 1969 a, b) and to the authors who have studied the erosion processes in the region (Muș at, 2006). Two valleys, part of Slănicul de Buzău wathershed, and their vegetation were included in our study in order to emphasise any alteration as a result of enviromental changes (rainfall, land uses) and to highlight the importance of these sites in biodiversity preservation. MATERIALS AND METHODS Our field studies were located on the right side of the Slănicul de Buzău river, in two valleys – Tătarului and Valea cu Drum, near Aldeni (Buzău county). In this area, rainfall ranges between 500- 600mm/year, distributed unequal over the year - the highest quantity is recorded during the months of April to June. In 2014, the average amount of rainfall was 781.95 l/m, the maximum recorded in April was 135.3 l/m (Table 1, Figure 1). On the left side of the Tătarului valley with south exposition, the secondary meadow is edified by Chrysopogon gryllus while, on the right side of Valea cu Drum valley, with north exposition, the secondary meadows are edified by Botriochloa intermedium in the lower and middle part of the slope and, respectively, by Festuca valesiaca and Stipa capillata in the upper part of slope. Itinerant method was used to mapping the vegetation. In July, observation territory was crossed in order to note all the plant species encountered. Plant species identification was made with field guides Ciocârlan, 2009 and 381 Scientific Papers. Series A. Agronomy, Vol. LVIII, 2015 ISSN 2285-5785; ISSN CD-ROM 2285-5793; ISSN Online 2285-5807; ISSN-L 2285-5785