Geographical studies and environment protection research
Volume X | Issue 2
Distribution of Urban Green Spaces – an Indicator of Topophobia – Topophilia of Urban Residential Neighborhoods. Case Study of 5th District of Bucharest, Romania
Abstract: Given the lack of usable data in the correct assessment of housing quality in an urban ecosystem, it is necessary to establish a system of environmental indices that can be used to evaluate and compare the attractiveness of urban neighborhoods. Oxygen generating surfaces fulfill multiple functions and give a certain quality to urban environment and housing, especially through the green spaces. Green spaces have an unequal distribution in the area of Bucharest. The structure, functions, adding availability and/or attractiveness of green areas define the neighborhoods in which they are located, and whether they are topophile or topophobe ones. In the present study, based on field observations, processing of cartographic materials and using the green spaces as most relevant index, topophile and topophobe neighborhoods have been identified in Bucharest. The tendency of residential areas development was also evaluated and it was found that it depends on the attractiveness of existing urban parks or neighborhood gardens.
Volume X | Issue 2
Human-Induced Environmental Changes and Floodplain Restoration Necessity along the Danube, on the Drobeta-Turnu Severin – Bechet Sector
Abstract: The present paper aims at analysing the human-induced transformations that took place in the Drobeta-Turnu Severin – Bechet sector of the Danube Floodplain during the last two centuries. The research started from the need to obtain a real and comprehensive database concerning the extension, the nature and the characteristics of the topographic-hydrographical, edaphic and biologic structures appeared or modified under human influence, their relation with the changes occurred at the level of the land use and their present functionality. Special attention was paid to the latter transformations occurred after 1989. The primary types of topographical and hydrographical changes resulted from the geomorphic human activity in the Danube Floodplain are analysed in relation with the land use within this unit. The analysis of the environmental transformations in the floodplain sector started from cartographic and statistical materials that are relevant for the 19th-21st centuries. For the post-communist period, the valorisation of the Corine Land Cover database allowed for a more detailed analysis of the land use dynamics. The data thus obtained was checked and updated with field observations and measurements, which are mandatory given the fact that the cartographic database shows deficiencies and it is partially outdated.
Volume X | Issue 2
The Dynamics of Forest Areas in the Vâlsan Basin
Abstract: This case study refers to forest area dynamics within the Vâlsan Basin, situated between his affluents: Mierlei Valley and Bunești Valley in 1904-2004 period. The dynamics was shown by maps on a temporal scale especially in reference years as 1904, 1973, 1981, 1994, 2004. Forest cover from our study area has been decreased substantially because of the impact of human activities. We can conclude at the end of our paper that forest ecosystems had lost the natural equllibrium, and barely can realize the protective and hydrological function, in the context of declaring our study a natural reserve.
Volume X | Issue 1
The Impact of Solar Activity on the Greatest Forest Fires of Deliblatska peščara (Serbia)
Abstract: The subject of research refers to potential causative-effective connection between processes on the sun and the largest forest fires in Deliblatska peščara. The four greatest forest fires in Deliblatska peščara in the period 1948-2009 were in 1973, 1990, 1996 and 2007. The analysis of solar activity, especially the solar wind data and the analysis of the fire events were used in the research of the possibility of mutual connection. There are no enough data for the fire that occurred in 1973 on the basis of which the connection with processes on the sun would be determined. The fire from 1990 developed in the conditions of intensive solar activity and it was probably caused by the solar wind. There are some indications that the solar wind from energetic region 7981 caused the largest forest fire in Deliblatska peščara in 1996. For fire that occurred in 2007, the energy source (coronary hole CH279) was determined, as well as the moving of the solar wind particles. During the investigated fires the phenomena characterising fires caused by solar wind were recorded, such as frequent wind direction changes and appearance of fire on different locations at the same time. The statistical analysis of the number of fires in Deliblatska peščara and AMO also indicated the anti-phase connection between these events. Even though the obtained results have shown the signal of the connection between charged particles and initial phase of fire, the laboratory testing is necessary to prove the mentioned hypothesis.
Volume X | Issue 1
Observation of Unusual High Particulate Mass and Number Concentration during Traffic Ban Hours of the 2009 Car Free Sunday in the Brussels Urban Area
Abstract: Every year, since 2002, the Brussels authorities organize a car free day on the third Sunday of September. This very interesting experience has revealed some valuable information concerning traffic-related gaseous pollutants and particulates. On the car free Sunday of 2006 very high PM10 and PM2.5 mass concentrations were measured, along with very low concentrations for nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide and dioxide. The car free Sunday of 2009 also showed very interesting results. During the traffic ban hours, particulate mass concentration and particulate number concentration peaked to one of the highest values for the whole year 2009. Black Carbon however was the only measured particulate component whose concentration continued to decrease during the traffic ban period.