Division 5.1 Specificity of the geographical area

The soil is clay with marl subsoil. In certain areas, compaction has produced colluvial soils in the form of a very deep clayey stratum with high water retention capacity, offering a very high level of fertility. The area has a typical continental climate characterised by extreme cold, significant snowfall and frequent cycles of freezing and thawing in winter and a rapid transition to high summer temperatures towards the end of June. There is little variation in the pattern of precipitation and the annual average rainfall is 300 mm, with very low points in the spring-summer period, liable to cause serious droughts. These soil and climate conditions favour the growth of typical forage plants on grassland and meadow-pasture. The meadows feature a wide range of plants, mainly grasses (around 75 %) and legumes (around 25 %), together with a many aromatic and medicinal plants. The main grasses are: ryegrass (Lolium spp.), cock's-foot (Dactylis glomerata), fescue (Festuca spp.), meadow grass (Poa spp.) vernal grass, etc. The main legumes are: mountain clover (Trifolium montanum), bird's-foot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus), milfoil (Achillea spp.), etc. Among the aromatic and scented grasses, in addition to vernal grass, are umbrelliferae, such as wild carrot (Daucus carota carota), creeping thistle (Cirsium arvense), sage (Salvia officinalis), great lavender (Lavandula latifolia), many varieties of thyme (Thymus spp.), common rue (Ruta graveolens), rose hip (Rosa canina canina), etc. This mix of fodder plants, with its natural balance of carbohydrates, proteins and vitamins, provides high-quality feed for sheep, goats and cattle. The sheep and goats also graze on woodland, which as well as protecting the soil, also protects the animals from the excessive heat of summer.