The colours of the wild: the case study of Dealul Cetatii Lempes-Mlastina Harman Natura 2000 site

The Natura 2000 Network represent the EU breakthrough initiative for the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora for the future generation, the cornerstone of Community politics for environment protection. In Romania, at the beginning of the year 2016, the Natura 2000 Barometer states a total number of 531 N2K sites, on a total area of 238391 km2. The Special Areas of Conservation, created under the EU Habitats Directive covers 16.68% of the total area of our country, being the 7th in Europe by the proportion of land area under protection. The ”Fortress-hill Lempes – Harman marsh” site (ROSCI 0055 Dealul Cetăţii Lempeş - Mlaştina Hărman) is located in the centre of the Brașov Basin, between the Carpathians and Transylvania hills, at the eastern limit of „Țara Barsei”, on the river Olt’s plain terrace. The rich flora is represented by over 150 species, two of them being listed in Annex II of Directive 92/43/EEC as endangered species: Ligularia sibirica - rare and Liparis loeselli – very rare. Beside these, another 37 species are cited as being important species of flora for Europe, among which Adonis vernalis, Amygdalus nana, Armeria maritima ssp. Barcensis, Carex davalliana, Drosera longifolia, Epipactis palustris, Hyacinthella leucophaea , Pedicularis sceptrum carolinum, Pinguicula vulgaris, Primula farinosa, Pulsatilla montana, Salix rosmarinifolia, etc. During our visits on the site in the years 2015-2016, we had photographed and analyzed from the chromatic point of view 72 species, belonging to 28 botanical families. Instead of being focused on plants systematics, our main criteria was the plant's attractiveness; we captured what triggered our attention and curiosity, bearing in mind the touristic development potential of the site. The scientist demonstrates that flowers, mainly by their colors, have an emotional influence on social perception, memory, relaxation, wellbeing and influence the human mood. After all, could you imagine the world around us without colors or without flowers? The colors play a vital role in our lives even though the majority of us are unaware of the profound effect they have on our behavior. Our study aimed to establish the colors pallet that every season has to offer to a potential visitor and the possible influence that the discovery of the plants could eventually have on its mood