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Volume XVII |
Environment

Indicators for evaluating the role of green infrastructures in sustainable urban development in Romania

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Abstract: Urban green infrastructures are now considered key elements in improving residents’ quality of life and creating an appropriate framework for the development of sustainable cities. One of the most efficient method to evaluate the state and performance of urban green infrastructure is using different types of indicators. The indicators for evaluating the benefits, ecosystem services and the role of green infrastructures for the process of sustainable development represent important tools for decision and policy makers. Indicators provide information that can be easily interpreted by decision and policy makers and they facilitate the process of planning, monitoring and evaluation of green infrastructure in urban areas. The focus of our study is to establish which indicators are used for underlining the structural and functional diversity of urban green infrastructures. This paper aims to highlight the indicators and indices being used in Romanian urban areas for measuring their sustainability that include green infrastructures, in the wider understanding of the concept. Throughout the paper, different examples of indicators and indices are provided, emphasizing that by using the proper set of indicators and indices, city authorities can tag a sustainable development label for certain areas. However, an unbiased assessment using some sets of indicators and indices are not always providing unbiased or realistic outcomes.

Keywords: , ,
Full article 10.5775/fg.2018.106.iDates:
Received: 20-01-2018 Accepted: 15-04-2018 Printed: 30-06-2018 Online: 06-12-2018
Affiliations:
  • 1 Centre for Environmental Research and Impact Studies, University of Bucharest, Romania
  • 2 Simion Mehedinţi Doctoral School, Faculty of Geography, University of Bucharest, Romania
Corresponding author:
  • nitamihairazvan@yahoo.com
Citation:
APA 6 | Harvard 2008 | Turabian 6 | MLA 7
RIS | BibTeX
Copyright: © 2018 The Author(s). Published by Forum geografic.
Provided under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives License.
Open Access article.
Volume XIII |
Environment

The environmental impact of arable land in a protected area of community interest. Case study: ROSCI0123 Măcin Mountains, Romania

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Abstract: Plant cultivation activities represent the widest form of environmental agression at global scale. Their sustainability influences the stability of natural ecosystems at local, regional and global level. In this context, the aim of this study is to assess the sustainability of arable land in ROSCI0123 Măcin Mountains using the Pimentel- Eulenstein model. The model takes into account as input data various parameters characterizing the agricultural activities in the whole area occupied by six administrative units (mechanization, chemical treatment, irrigation etc.), this way assesing the energy efficiency and sustainability of crop plants. The results show that the exploitation of arable land in ROSCI0123 Măcin Mountains is done unsustainably in terms of energy efficiency, leading to a medium risk of affecting the valuable environmental components. Under these conditions, improved farming management is a key component in the management of ROSCI0123 Măcin Mountains.

Keywords: , , , , , ,
Full article 10.5775/fg.2067-4635.2014.132.iDates:
Received: 12-03-2014 Accepted: 30-06-2014 Printed: 02-06-2014 Online: 08-08-2014
Affiliations:
  • 1 Faculty of Geography, University of Bucharest, 11 N. Bălcescu Ave., Bucharest, Romania
  • 2 Centre for Environmental Research and Impact Studies (CCMESI), University of Bucharest, 1 N. Bălcescu Ave., Bucharest, Romania
Corresponding author:
  • denisabadiu@gmail.com
Citation:
APA 6 | Harvard 2008 | Turabian 6 | MLA 7
RIS | BibTeX
Acknowledgements: The results of this study were obtained during the ongoing of the SOP Environment research project "Studies for develop the integrated management plan for Măcin Mountains National Park by reviewing and integrating management prescriptions for Natura 2000 sites (ROSPA0073 Măcin - Niculiţel and ROSCI0123 Măcin Mountains), including Măcin Mountains National Park".
Copyright: © 2014 The Author(s). Published by Forum geografic.
Provided under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives License.
Open Access article.
Volume XII |
Biogeography, Environment

Hierarchical analysis of the threats for Species of Community Interest in the Iron Gates Natural Park, Romania

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Abstract: Threats to biodiversity are diverse and the management of these threats is a major research direction in the conservation of biological diversity. Determining the status of a species is essential in identifying those in danger of becoming extinct and also to establish conservation priorities. For the management of all types of threats that manifest themselves for certain species of community interest in the Iron Gates Natural Park, we must first understand their causes and effects. Conservationists are increasingly interested in determining threats to biological communities, this being an important part of territorial and environmental planning strategies. The analysis undertaken for some geographical areas showed that the most important threats are the socio-economic and demographic variables, the fragmentation, destruction and degradation of habitats through various practices, the introduction of non-native species, illegal hunting or overfishing. In this context, for elaborating sustainable patterns of habitat management we must analyze and prioritize the threats that we are dealing with. The method requires an inventory of the main threats in the Iron Gates Natural Park, the threats for certain Species of Community Interest (Tulipa hungarica, Colchicum arenarium, Pulsatilla grandis). We have also applied a method used by WWF in order to achieve a hierarchy of the main threats and to establish logical and efficient actions that can be locally applicable.

Keywords: , , , , , ,
Full article 10.5775/fg.2067-4635.2013.047.iDates:
Received: 17-01-2013 Accepted: 03-06-2013 Printed: 28-06-2013 Online: 20-07-2013
Affiliations:
  • 1 Faculty of Geography, University of Bucharest
  • 2 Centre for Environmental Research and Impact Studies, University of Bucharest, ccmesi@yahoo.com ,1 Blvd. Nicolae Bălcescu, sector 1, Bucharest, 010041, Romania
Corresponding author:
  • adina_zimn@yahoo.com
Citation:
APA 6 | Harvard 2008 | Turabian 6 | MLA 7
RIS | BibTeX
Acknowledgements: The investigations were conducted in the framework of POSDRU project 107/1.5/S/80765 “Excellence and interdisciplinary in PhD studies for an informed society” We would also like to thank the two anonymous reviewers whose suggestions helped us to improve this paper.
Copyright: © 2013 The Author(s). Published by Forum geografic.
Provided under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives License.
Open Access article.
Volume IX |
Environment

Indoor Air Quality in Bucharest Housings in the Framework of Present Environmental Changes

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Abstract: The indoor air quality represents one of the factors conditioning housing quality in urban residential spaces. The paper analyses the spatial and temporal distribution of parameters defining the indoor air quality from representative housings in Bucharest, correlated with their influence factors. The characterisation of permanent, seasonal and circumstantial influence factors was realised using the US EPA (1991) and WHO (2006) methodologies. Between November 2008 and February 2010 there were applied questionnaires for appreciating the dimension of influence factors inside and outside the housings. In the same time, for determining the values of representative indicators analysing the indoor air quality, measurements were realised in selected housings. From analysing the obtained results, it can be stated that in the indoor habitat of most residential spaces from Bucharest, the quality of air is unsatisfactory, values of human comfort recommended by international legislation being exceeded at indicators such as: volatile organic compounds, carbon dioxide or particulate matter. The building’s ventilation systems are mostly dismantled or not functioning, and as a result the thermal isolation of buildings only aggravates these problems as it isn’t compensated with an improvement of the ventilation systems. The significant expansion of areas affected by Sick Building Syndrome, which are economically, ecologically and/or sanitary inefficient, in the framework of recent environmental changes, it requires an integrated approach of problems concerning the air quality management in Bucharest residential spaces.

Keywords: , , , , , , ,
Full article Dates:
Printed: 01-11-2010 Online: 21-11-2010
Affiliations:
  • 1 University of Bucharest, Centre for Environmental Research and Impact Studies 1, Bd. Nicolae Bălcescu, Sector 1, Bucharest, 010041
Corresponding author:
  • ccmesi@yahoo.com
Citation:
APA 6 | Harvard 2008 | Turabian 6 | MLA 7
RIS | BibTeX
Acknowledgements: The observations were carried out in the framework of the PN II IDEI 1012/2008 - "Methodology for integrated assessment of environmental quality in residential spaces from metropolitan zones" projects. We address our acknowledgements to the collective of the Centre for Environmental Research and Impact Studies (CCMESI), for the permission of using the necessary equipments and the research reports from previous studies.
Copyright: © 2010 The Author(s). Published by Forum geografic.
Provided under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives License.
Open Access article.
Volume IX |
Environment

The Rurality between the Râmnicul Sărat and the Buzau Valleys – Definitive Component of the Subcarpathian Landscapes Dynamics

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Abstract: Rural space represents a definite element in the structural and functional transformations of Subcarpathian landscapes, analysed through their geodiversity, biodiversity, and cultural patrimony. The present analyse relieves historical and socio-economic land use changes, process, which determined a restructuring of rural landscapes, allowing a classification of environmental critical areas. Elements defining the rurality of the Subcarpathian landscapes between the Ramnicu Sarat and the Buzau valleys were evidenced and characterised in concordance with the new strategic directions of the European Council regarding rural development in 2007 – 2013 period, and with the national legislation in the field, for establishing protection, rehabilitation and valorization strategies for the Subcarpathian rural landscapes. The case study realised in the villages included in the Subcarpathian sector of the Slanic de Buzau valley relieved a spatial and temporal dynamics for the indices of human pressure through different land-uses, allowing the establishment of artificial degrees of rural Subcarpathian landscapes. The data obtained from the CORINE Land Cover model, 1990 and 2006 editions, corroborated with the data rendered in agricultural registers and statistical data from NIS (National Institute of Statistics) relieve spatial dynamics of land-uses in the analysed area, and at the same time, there were identified the areas which induce important modifications in the landscapes structure and functionality.

Keywords: , , , , , ,
Full article Dates:
Printed: 01-11-2010 Online: 21-11-2010
Affiliations:
  • 1 Centre for Environmental Research and Impact Studies (CCMESI), University of Bucharest, 1 N. Balcescu Ave., 010041 Bucharest
Corresponding author:
  • mpatroescu@yahoo.com
  • iulian_198@yahoo.it
Citation:
APA 6 | Harvard 2008 | Turabian 6 | MLA 7
RIS | BibTeX
Copyright: © 2010 The Author(s). Published by Forum geografic.
Provided under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives License.
Open Access article.

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