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Volume XI |

Torrentiality – Morphohydrographical conditions in the Sebeş Basin (The Parâng Mountains Group, Southern Carpathians)

Abstract: This paper presents the morpho-hydrographical characteristics that define the torrential system inside the Sebeş basin (the Parâng Mountains). The manifestation of torrential erosion takes place on river basins of different sizes. In order to bring out the quantitative and qualitative differences in the stream discharge structure, we resorted to the determination of some geomorphometrical indices such as: the number of river segments, the frequency of elementary thalwegs, incipient or total torrentiality. The great density of the temporary valleys network, along with the emphasized slope of the ditches and flanks generate a high instability. The local differentiations of the geological sublayers and the complementarity of the use of the Cindrel, Lotru and Şureanu mountain areas generate its own answer forms on the aggressive action of the torrential rainfalls on elementary segments with temporary functionality, as well as on permanent hydrographic thoroughfares. The tributary streams received by the Sebeş River in the Carpathian sector have small hydrographic basins and they do not exceed rank 4 in the Horton-Strahler classification system. Torrentiality is stimulated by the combined effect of snowmelt and spring rains, but mostly by the aggressiveness of the torrential summer rains, which take over a modified geomorphological background through excessive depasturage, deforestation and hydropower harnessing. The streams and the floods, through the accumulation of high volumes and energies, produce slope damages, riverbed shifts, blockages and the destruction of communications infrastructure, and material loss.

Volume XI |

The periods with pluviometric surplus from the Timiş hydrographical basin (1965-2009)

Abstract: The present study is based on the statistical processing of values, referring to the average monthly and average annual precipitations, for the period 1965-2009. The data was taken from six meteorological stations, five of which are located in the hydrographical basin of the Timiş river, and one station is located in the immediate proximity of this basin. The calculation formula used for the identification of the periods with pluviometric surplus, from the entire period and for all analysed meteorological stations, was the Standardised Precipitation Anomaly – SPA. According to the SPA values and their distribution during the analysed period, within the basin, the degree of vulnerability may be determined for the Timiş hydrographical basin compared to the climatic risk, induced by the precipitation surplus, and, thus, compared to the risk induced by the extreme hydrological phenomena, like floods, which are especially of a pluvial origin.

Volume XI |

Trends in land cover change in abandoned mountain pastures. A case study: Măgura Marga Massif (the Southern Carpathians)

Abstract: Grazing was the main activity of the inhabitants of the region, so that on an area of only 750 hectares, 16 sheepfolds existed simultaneously. In the last 20 years, mountain pastures were gradually abandoned a fact which led to some changes in land cover, mainly close to timberline. The aim of this paper is to identify general trend of land cover change using change – detection methods based on Landsat TM imagery for 1988 – 2011 time interval. Detailed analysis based on field research and high resolution air photos was also made for the areas with highest land cover changes. The analysis of the historical maps allowed a better understanding of the land cover transformations in the last 70 years. The results showed that the general trend in pastures area for the last 23 years is the biomass gain. Even if this phenomenon has a low and medium magnitude, it is a dominant one, appearing on more than 88% of the pastures area. Moderate intensity changes are explained due to the relatively short time interval since pastures were abandoned. Major changes occurred in some areas: on the southern slopes, because of the specific topoclimate, in areas where the anthropogenic timberline was lowered at very low altitudes and in the areas near the spruce timberline. There are also areas where there are no obvious changes of the timberline. These occur more frequently on the northern and western slopes, near the beech forest timberline. In the study area, the timberline is still anthropogenic, but if the current trend of forest regeneration continues, the timberline will change to a climatic one.

Volume XI |

Urban image analysis through visual surveys. Craiova town (Romania) as a case study

Abstract: The cities were affected by the processes of urban revitalization, aiming to be included in the global market competition where they try to attract more economic resources and to achieve an important position, thus transforming their perceptual urban representations. Some cities opted to reshape their urban spaces, projecting an image that attracts the visitor and the resident, while at the same time they try to manage the issues and tensions associated with this process of urban transformation.Thus, the city image is increasingly exposed to recent progresses and transformations of infrastructures and land use. This article aims to outline the perception of the urban image at micro- level scale with the help of data analysis resulting from the VPS- Visual Preference Survey, conducted in Craiova town, Romania. A new urbanistic approach to measure the urban image, avoiding the classical Lynch model of analysis, is the VPS, developed by Anton Nelessen, which is a process that allows the residents to take part in the urban assessment and to create a new development vision for the future. By ranking different images of places, people from Craiova express their perception on the urban image, taking into consideration four urban aspects: public spaces, built environment, transportation and socio-cultural environment, and building in this way the community they want to see in the future. The results show that the city image needs some major urban interventions in terms of design, architecture and functionality of the public urban spaces. Consequently, some principles are proposed to public actors for improving the four main sections discussed in the survey.

Volume XI |

The role and importance of historical monuments in the diversification of tourism offer in Oas Land (Romania)

Abstract: In the context of the European and Romanian society transitioning from an industrial society to an informational one, based on knowledge, it becomes more and more necessary to analyze the problem of exploring the local potential and elaborating the best strategies for territorial development, starting from the local realities. In this respect, the following paper aims to identify and highlight the role and the importance of historical monuments in sustainable and responsible territory development through tourism at local level, in Oaş Land.