Vegetation. The areas where the salt massifs develop are characterized by the presence of salts. They consist of large areas covered with strong saline efflorescences, especially in dry seasons. The vegetal associations are those characteristic of the forest-steppe area, with an advanced degree of stepping.
The vegetation consists of halophytes arranged in relatively concentric areas, by genera and species, according to the degree of salt concentration. The grassy vegetation is very varied, depending on the complexity of the ecological conditions. In the central area of the salt marshes we meet Salicornia herbacea and Suaeda maritima, and the outer circle is formed by Salicornia herbacea in association with Aster tripolium, Aster transilvanica and Aster lemnosa. Genres: Salsola, Salicornia and Tamarix lend the soil a specific color, red-purple.
The associations of Festuca sulcata, Carex humilis, Stipa lessiugiana, Stipa capillata, Stipa pulchyoria predominate on the southern slopes of the micro-depression area from Băile Sărate Turda. On the lands degraded by erosion (the southern part of the Salt Valley) there are associations such as Stipa sp. and Thymus sp. The associations of Festuca sulcata, Festuca pseudovina and Danthonia calycina are widespread on the northern slopes. At altitudes above 400 m there are associations of Brachypodium, Bromus and Agrostis.
The lack of forests is specific, with the exception of the forest in the Turda Salt Baths sink, which occupies the eastern and southern slope of the perimeter, being a plantation dating from 1900.
On the saline lands from the bed of the Salt Valley and from the central-southern area of the micro-depression of the Salt Baths, a zonal distribution of plants can be observed. They are arranged approximately concentrically with respect to the salted meshes, as follows (from the center to the periphery):
Salicornia herbacea, Suaeda salinaria;
Puccinellia limosa, Aster tiripolium, Triglochin maritimum, Scorzonera parviflora;
Limonium gmelini, Aster linosyris;
Artemisia salina arranged on the periphery in the form of a gray belt.
In 2000, by Law no. 5 on the approval of the National Spatial Planning Plan – Section III – protected areas, a protected natural area of national interest was established – Sărăturile Ocna Veche – with an area of 10 hectares.