The Landscapes Differentiations in the Prahova Sector of the Bucegi Mountains
Abstract: The physiognomic complexity as the main characteristics of the Bucegi Mountains landscape is the result of lithology, structure, tectonics and high altitude, which led to the vertical zoning of modelling conditions. There can be separated: the landscape of erosion outliers and the structural plateaus from the alpine area, the landscape of Prahova scarp and that of the plains at the Bucegi mountain feet. Up to about 2200 m, the landscape of erosion outliers and structural plateaus was mostly affected by human activities, mainly the tourism and uncontrolled grazing. The landscape of the Prahova scarp of the Bucegi is notable by high touristic anthropization on the slopes of the Vârful cu Dor – Furnica – Piatra Arsă mountains, neighbouring Sinaia, where there are frequent degradations of the roads and paths improperly located and maintained. The Bucegi slope northwards of Piciorul Pietrei Arse still preserves the natural landscapes in dynamic equilibrium (which possess a great tourist and alpinist potential). At the scarp foot, following the modelling of the Cretaceous flysch and sedimentation of large talus material, there resulted a relief with smooth field – plai (Plaiul Fânului,Plaiul Coştila, Munticelu, Plaiul Stânei, Plaiul Peleşului, Plaiul Furnica) – rounded interfluves with a slope below 300, compared to those over 300 (often over 500 within the scarp.