LOCAL CONDITIONS AND IMPACTS OF THE AVALANCHES. CASE STUDIES IN REPRESENTATIVE SECTORS WITHIN PIATRA CRAIULUI AND FĂGĂRAȘ MOUNTAINS

Genesis conditions and effects of avalanches. Case studies in representative sectors within Piatra Craiului and Fagars mountains. The present paper aims at investigating the avalanches and their impact on the environment components. Snow avalanches are natural phenomena, which are controlled by the specific features of the mountain realm. They start suddenly due to the combination of meteorological and non-meteorological factors, which make the loose materials (snow, ice, detritus, vegetation or soil) collapse or slide down along the slope. In consequence, erosion is increased or facilitated because of the impact they have on the other components of the environment (thalwegs deepening, forest destruction). The distribution of avalanches is hard to be highlighted, because of the inaccessible lands and the adverse meteorological conditions. From this reason, one needs to know their complex features, namely the morphology, vegetation and spatial dynamics of the areas prone to such phenomena. The effects on the environment can be easily identified in the mountain realm, inasmuch as they create typical corridors along the streams crossing the forests. At the same time, however, they have certain effects on the slope deposits, too. These will be further presented with examples for the eastern slope of the Piatra Craiului Mts. and the Suru – Negoiu section in the Făgăraș Mts. These areas are deemed representative for each of the mentioned mountain massifs

InterGEO: a digital platform for university education on geomorphological heritage

The project InterGEO was carried out with the objective to disseminate knowledge on geomorphological heritage by developing a digital learning platform. It aims at improving students' autonomy by the reduction of face-to-face teaching and increasing autonomous learning as well as promoting international interactions between students interested in geomorphological heritage. A completely free-access virtual course on geomorphosites was developed with the Learning Management System Moodle. The course is divided into 24 thematic chapters, each of them containing a short description, a list of references and selected publications, as well as other educational material (videos, virtual fieldtrips, etc.). In particular, several videos allow presenting in a dynamic way concepts and examples. The paper presents the tool and its use in academic programmes in six European universities, where it was tested, in various contexts (Bachelors' and Masters' programmes; students in geography or geology; general courses in geomorphology and specific courses on geoheritage and geoconservation), before discussing the advantages and challenges the tool is facing. The InterGEO platform is an easy-to-use and friendly educational tool, which allows developing blended learning activities; it is flexible and adaptable in various learning contexts.The coordination tasks (appointment of an assistant) and two workshops in Lausanne were financed by the University of Lausanne (Teaching Innovation Fund and Investment Fund of the Faculty of Geosciences and Environment, FGSE). The videos were designed and created with support of the universities of Lausanne (TIF) and Savoie Mont Blanc (IDEFI Promising and ReflexPro; LabEx ITEM)

Environmental Sustainability and the Inclusion of Geomorphosites in Tourist Activity—Case Study: The Baiului Mountains, Romania

This paper presents the sustainability of the relief at geomorphosites in terms of tourist activity and how tourism can affect the relief by presenting the major sustainable tourism issues. For the study area, the Baiului Mountains from Romania were chosen. In addition, we present the method for assessing tourist and exploitation values of geomorphological sites in the tourist area of Romania. Jean-Pierre Pralong first used the method and it aims to qualify the potential in terms of scenic, scientific, cultural and economic values and the use of this potential in terms of degree and modality of exploitation. It was based on the study of 10 geomorphological sites in the area of the Baiului Mountains. We present each geomorphosite and its scale for every value. Finally, we develop an analysis of the potential and use of the studied geomorphosites and the relationship between the reliefs and tourism

Geomorphosites and Geotourism in Bucharest City Center (Romania)

The present paper aims at inventorying the geomophosites in Bucharest as well as introducing geotouristic itineraries that take into account the long-time developed high value cultural heritage of the area. The process included several stages: studying Bucharest’s relief and cultural-historical elements with tourist value from existing bibliography, cartographic methods (aerial photos and different editions of topographic maps), as well as the information gathered from field investigations; identifying and inventorying geomorphosites, assessing the population’s opinion about geoheritage (geomorphosites) and its capitalization in tourism activities, 100 questionnaires were applied; creating geotouristic itineraries and later promoting them. The most valuable and representative geomorphosites identified are: on Colentina Valley (the Plumbuita, Ostrov, Dobroeşti and Pantelimon hills) (aren’t located in the study area), on Dâmboviței Valley (Cotroceni, Șerban Vodă, Mitropoliei, Spirii, Filaret and Arsenal hills, Țăcăliei, Procopoaiei, University terraces, Dâmbovița Meadow). The authors suggest two geotouristic itineraries that emphasize the relationship between the scientific, cultural, and historic elements as well as the human-nature report within the urban area

Geomorphosites and geotourism in Bucharest city center (Romania)

The present paper aims at inventorying the geomophosites in Bucharest as well as introducing geotouristic itineraries that take into account the long-time developed high value cultural heritage of the area. The process included several stages: studying Bucharest’s relief and cultural- historical elements with tourist value from existing bibliography, cartographic methods (aerial photos and different editions of topographic maps), as well as the information gathered from field investigations; identifying and inventorying geomorphosites, assessing the population’s opinion about geoheritage (geomorphosites) and its capitalization in tourism activities, 100 questionnaires were applied; creating geotouristic itineraries and later promoting them. The most valuable and representative geomorphosites identified are: on Colentina Valley (the Plumbuita, Ostrov, Dobroeşti and Pantelimon hills) (aren’t located in the study area), on Dâmboviței Valley (Cotroceni, Șerban Vodă, Mitropoliei, Spirii, Filaret and Arsenal hills, Țăcăliei, Procopoaiei, University terraces, Dâmbovița Meadow). The authors suggest two geotouristic itineraries that emphasize the relationship between the scientific, cultural, and historic elements as well as the human-nature report within the urban area

The inventory of geosites from protected areas from the hydrographic basin Casimcea (Romania) : a premise for local development

The present work aims to inventory the geosites which exist in protected areas of different types from the Casimcea basin (Romania) and to establish the most efficient ways and possibilities to capitalize them, in order to subsequently include them within local development projects. The Casimcea drainage basin is situated in Central Dobrogea, having a varied lithology : green shales, limestones and other sedimentary rocks, on which, over time, because of the action of internal and external agents, numerous geosites developed. In Casimcea basin, the following protected areas are found : Cheia Mountain and Casimcea Reserve, within each of these, a lot of geosites can be inventoried. Their touristic valorization, based on some well established rules can be an advantage for the development of this area. Their promotion can attract a high number of tourists, with the reha¬ bilitation of the access infrastructure and the construction of several facilities for accommodation, alimentation and recreation.Le propos de notre travail est d'inventorier les géosites existants dans les espaces protégés du bassin de Casimcea (Plateau de la Dobrogea, Roumanie), de réaliser leur évaluation quantitative et au final de proposer les meilleurs moyens pour les conserver, mais aussi pour les valoriser de manière optimale, valorisation qui peut représenter la base pour les stratégies de développement local. Dans le bassin de Casimcea se trouvent plusieurs espaces protégés : le Massif de Cheia et la Réserve de Casimcea, dans le cadre desquels on peut inventorier plusieurs géosites. Ces géosites se sont développés sur des calcaires d'âge Jurassique et Crétacé qui ont été fort modelés par l'action des agents externes et qui ont donné naissance à des dépressions en forme de fer à cheval, des cavités karstiques, etc. Les géosites étudiés ont fait l'objet d'une évaluation qualitative, qui a eu comme base les critères suivants : le nombre de géosites, leur rareté, leur degré de connaissance, l'existence de produits géotouristiques, leur inclusion dans des activités touristiques, leur inclusion dans des circuits didactiques et les revenus obtenus. On a alors cartographié des zones avec leurs différents degrés de valorisation. Actuellement, on pratique un tourisme de week-end dans cet espace, en grande partie non-organisé et avec des conséquences sur l'environnement. Leur valorisation touristique, sur la base de certaines règles bien établies, peut représenter un atout pour le développement de cette zone et leur promotion peut attirer un grand nombre de touristes, avec la réhabilitation de l'infrastructure d'accès et la construction de quelques facilités de logement, de restauration et de récréation. Cet espace est approprié pour pratiquer le géotourisme, avec tout ce qu'il suppose, comme la mise en place de circuits spécifiques et de panneaux d'interprétation.Comănescu Laura, Nedelea Alexandru, Dobre Robert. The inventory of geosites from protected areas from the hydrographic basin Casimcea (Romania) : a premise for local development. In: Collection EDYTEM. Cahiers de géographie, numéro 15, 2013. Gestion des géosites dans les espaces protégés. pp. 73-78

THE SNOW CONDITION, THE AVALANCHES CAUSED AND THE DYNAMIC OF THE AVALANCHES CORRIDORS DURING THE WINTER 2007-2008. CASE STUDY, PADINILE FRUMOASE (PIATRA CRAIULUI MOUNTAINS, ROMANIA)

The snow condition, the avalanches caused and the dynamic of the avalanches corridors during the winter 2007-2008. Case study, Padinile Frumoase (Piatra Craiului Mountains, Romania). In this paper we aim to present in detail the situations generated by meteorological and morphological parameters, which determined the generation of avalanches of different intensities, on five avalanches corridors in the winter 2007-2008. These are situated in the area named Padinile Frumoase, in the north-eastern part of the Piatra Craiului Mountains, which are situated in the central part of Romania and which belong to the Meridional Carpathians. The relief is represented by a calcareous- conglomeratic ridge, in the high part, the peak reaches over 2000 m altitude. Local conditions determine the forming of avalanches, which are oriented on well defined corridors, along the temporary hydrographic network. By studying the evolution of meteorological parameters and their overlapping with local morphological parameters, the existence of some favourable conditions for the apparition of avalanches were detected. There were noticed both active corridors with traces of avalanches, and inactive corridors on which it was not noticed the manifestation of these phenomena. The material adds up to the data base about the avalanches from this massif, being the second situation of analysed avalanches for this mountainous space totally situated in the National Park Piatra Craiului

Analyse quantitative du réseau hydrographique du bassin versant du Slănic (Roumanie)

L'étude porte sur le bassin versant du Slănic, un affluent du Buzău. Ce bassin de taille relativement réduite (433 km2) est situé dans la région des Carpates et des Subcarpates de la Courbure, région très active sur le plan sismique. Du point de vue lithologique, le bassin du Slănic correspond à des flyschs paléogènes et à des molasses mio-pliocènes. Ces roches peu résistantes ont facilité une forte érosion du relief. Actuellement, les précipitations présentent souvent une forte intensité, et elles se produisent fréquemment après des périodes de sécheresse. Elles sont ainsi très agressives et déclenchent une érosion intense. L'analyse de quelques paramètres morphométriques [grand nombre de segments de cours d'eau d'ordres 1 (5230) et 2 (944) ; densité élevée des segments par rapport à la superficie du bassin (environ 15 segments / km2) ; longueur moyenne réduite des segments d'ordre 1 (260 m) par rapport à ceux d'ordre 2 (530 m)] s'accorde avec des temps de concentration des eaux courts et une forte énergie des écoulements. La vitesse de réaction aux précipitations des segments d'ordres inférieurs est en outre favorisée par la répartition spatiale des pluies et par les conditions lithologiques.The study is focused on the Slănic basin which has a small size (433 km2). The hydrographical basin of Slănic, situated in the Carpathian and Subcarpathian Curvature, a very active from neotectonical viewpoint area, is a part of the Buzău basin. From a petrographic point of view, the Slănic hydrographic basin belongs to the paleogen flysch deposits (within the Carpathian sector) and to the mio-pliocen molasse (within the Subcarpathian area) latter formed by predominantely friable rocks which have encouraged deep fragmentation of the relief. Actual rainfalls are often very intensive, and they frequently occur after dry seasons. The analysis of morphometric parameters shows many elementary segments of first order (5230 river segments) and second order (944 river segments), a high density of drainage (15 river segments / km2), and the medium length for first order (260 m) and second order (530 m) segments.The big number of the river segments of inferior orders presupposes a speed response of the basin to the torrential rains and flows of high energy. The speed response of the inferior segments is further encouraged by the spatial distribution of rainfall and lithologic conditions

GIS as a Support Tool for Sensitivity and Decision-Making Analysis for Transport Infrastructure Development

The sustainable implementation of highway projects requires a sensitivity analysis of the terrain and all of its components that have a direct influence on road design, construction and operation. The result of this inquiry involving GIS techniques and methods regarding environmental and economic factors helps in choosing the optimal road route, in order to meet the real-world connectivity requirements. The sensitivity analysis can be applied to road and rail infrastructure projects, aiming to develop a decision-making tool that can be employed by their potential beneficiaries, according to their purposes and interests. This paper aims to create an objective decision-making tool for transport infrastructure development in correlation with the current needs of society regarding the development of transport infrastructure in an economic sustainable manner with low environmental impact. Furthermore, the study tries to identify the best highway corridor in an area with environmental constraints (especially geomorphological), that is in balance with both environment and financial resources

Flood Risk Assessment Using Multi-Criteria Spatial Analysis Case Study: Gilort River between Bălcești and Bolbocești

Floods are the most widespread hazard globally and have a significant impact on local communities in terms of material damage and loss of life. Flood risk analysis is a complex process that needs to be addressed both physically and socially. This study provides a method for identifying the risk using Geographical Informational Systems techniques. Each indicator taken into account was analyzed, standardized, and weighted to obtain the final results. The case study was represented by the River Gilort (a tributary to Jiu River) in a hilly area (Getic Subcarpathians) between Bălcești and Bolbocești). In order to achieve reliable results, a series of natural and anthropic factors were used, such as elevation, slopes, geology, riparian vegetation, bank erosion, land use, groundwater depth, population density, vulnerable classes of the population, and density of houses. The flood risk assessment results show the distribution of flood risk in the study area, with a more significant impact on land use and only a few towns in the area presenting a significant flood risk. These results can be used by the competent local authorities to effectively manage flood risk