Abstract
This paper intends to evaluate the most important geomorphosites in the Cozia Massif (Southern Carpathians) area and the geomorphological hazards that can affect and damage them. The methodology used for the evaluation stage is based on a method elaborated by Reynard et al. in Geoheritage 8:43–60, 2016, and additionally on other approaches built by researches from Lausanne, Modena and Reggio Emilia, Cantabria, Valladolid, Minho or Bucharest universities. The evaluation methodology measures quantitatively the scientific central value as well as the level of protection and promotion of specific geomorphosites. The most crucial geomorphological hazard in the area is disintegration. In order to evaluate its impact, the authors used geomechanical analysis methods; the evaluation included analysing features such as lithology, geomorphology (altitude, exposure and declivity), fissures (density, width, orientation and continuity), size and density of the base blocks, all according to the 1980 Shelby method. The Cozia Massif was considered to be an appropriate study area given their great variety in geomorphosites. Thirteen geomorphosites were included in this study, and all of them achieved scores between 0.38 (Traian’s Table) and 0.82 (Cozia Gorges). These geomorphosites are in different stages of degradation with values varying from 40 (Stone Gate Archway) to 82 (Gardului Waterfall). The study ended with identifying not only the most important geomorphosites for scientific research (e.g. Cozia Gorges) and for tourism value (e.g. Gardului Waterfall) but also the most vulnerable ones that require immediate action in terms of protection and conservation (e.g. Stone Gate Archway). The values registered are in general lower than the values achieved in other massifs of the Southern Carpathians.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Badea L (1983) Defileul Coziei si valea subcarpatică a Oltului. Studii și cercetări de Geologie – Geofizică – Geografie, Geografie XXX:30–34, București
Brandolini P, Pelfini M (2010) Mapping geomorphological hazards in relation to geotourism and hiking trails. In: Regolini-Bissig G, Reynard E (eds) Mapping geoheritage. Institute of Geography, Lausanne (Géovisions 35), pp 31–45
Brilha J (2005) Património geológico e geoconservação: a conservação da natureza na sua vertente geológica. Palimage Editores, Viseu, p 190
Brilha J et al (2005) Definition of the Portuguese frameworks with international relevance as an input for the European geological heritage characterisation. Episodes 28(3):177–186
Bruschi VM, Cendrero A (2005) Geosite evaluation: can we measure intangible values? Il Quaternario 18(1):293–306
Bruschi VM, Cendrero A (2009) Direct and parametric methods for the assessment of geosites and geomorphosites. In: Reynard E, Coratza P, Regolini-Bissig G (eds) Geomorphosites. Pfeil, Munchen, pp 73–88
Bussard J (2014) Protection et valorisation du patrimoine géomorphologique du Parc naturel régional Gruyère Pays-d’Enhaut. Etat des lieux et perspectives. Master’s thesis, University of Lausanne. http://mesoscaphe.unil.ch/igul/memoires/bd/
Carcavilla Urquí L, López Martinez J, Durán Valsero JJ (2007) Patrimonio Geológico y Geodiversidad: investigación, conservación, gestión y relación con los espacios naturales protegidos. Instituto Geológico y Minero de España, Madrid, p 360
Cocean G (2011) Munţii Trascău. Relief, Geomorfosituri, Turism. Edit. Presa Universitară Clujeană, Cluj-Napoca (in Romanian), p. 269
Cocean G, Surdeanu V (2011) The assessment of geomorphosites of tourist interest in the Trascău Mountains. Studia Universitatis Babeș-Bolyai, Geographia 2:67–81
Comănescu L, Dobre R (2009) Inventorying, evaluating and tourism valuating the geomorphosites from the central sector of the Ceahlău National Park. GeoJ Tour Geosites 1(3):86–96
Comănescu L, Nedelea A (2010) Analysis of some representative geomorphosites in the Bucegi Mountains: between scientific evaluation and tourist perception. Area 4:406–416
Comănescu L, Nedelea A (2012) The assessment of geodiversity – a premise for declaring the geopark Buzăului County (Romania). J Earth Syst Sci 121(6):1493–1500
Comănescu L, Nedelea A (2015) Public perception of the hazards affecting geomorphological heritage—case study: the central area of Bucegi Mts. (Southern Carpathians, Romania). Environ Earth Sci 73(12):8487–8497
Comănescu L, Nedelea A (2017) Geomorphosites assessments of the glacial and periglacial landforms from Southern Carpathians, Landform Dynamics and Evolution in Romania, Chapter 10, Springer Geography, p 215–246
Comănescu L, Nedelea A, Dobre R (2009) Inventoring and evaluation of geomorphosites in the Bucegi Mountains. Geogr Forum Geogr Stud Environ Prot Res 8:38–44
Comănescu L, Dobre R, Nedelea A (2011) The identification of geomorphosites in different cartographic materials. The study case—Bucegi Mts (Romania). Egypt J Environ Chang 3(1):25–33
Comănescu L, Nedelea R, Dobre R (2012) The evaluation of geomorphosites from the Ponoare Protected Area. Geogr Forum Geogr Stud Environ Prot Res 11(1):54–61
Comănescu L, Nedelea A, Dobre R, Bandoc G (2014) Inventoring the principal geomorphosites for determining geomorphodiversity. Case study—the central sector of the Bucegi Mountains (the Carpathians, Romania). J Environ Prot Ecol 15(4):1849–1857
Coratza P, Giusti C (2005) Methodological proposal for the assessment of the scientific quality of geomorphosites. Il Quaternario 18(1):307–313
Droz Y, Miéville-Ott V (eds) (2005) La polyphonie du paysage. Presses polytechniques et universitaires romandes, Lausanne, p 236
Durán Valsero JJ, Urquí L, López-Martínez J (2005) Patrimonio geológico: una panorámica de los últimos 30 años en España. Bol Real Soc Esp Hist Nat (Sec Geol) 100(1–4):277–287
Gavrilă I, Anghel T (2013) Geomorphosites inventory in the Măcin Mountains (South-Eastern Romania). GeoJ Tour Geosites 11(1):42–53
Ghika St.–Budesti (1958) Depresiunea intramontană Lovistea și creasta horstului Cozia, Studii si cercetări de geologie, p. 61–78, Bucuresti
Grandgirard V (1999) L’évaluation des géotopes. Geol Insubr 4(1):59–66
Grangier L (2013) Quelle place pour le géotourisme dans l’offre touristique du Val d’Hérens et du Vallon de Réchy? Etat du patrimoine géo(morpho)logique et propositions de valorisation. Master’s thesis, University of Lausanne. http://mesoscaphe.unil.ch/igul/memoires/bd/
Hann HP (1990) Cozia Gneiss (South Carpathians): Petrography, Structure, Genesis. D S Inst Geol Geofiz 74/5:41–59 Bucuresti
Ilieș D (2014) Tourism planning and management for natural heritage. Edit. Bernardinum, Poland, p 134
Ilieş D, Josan N (2007) Preliminary contribution to the investigation of the geosites from Apuseni Mountains (Romania). Revista de geomorfologie 9:53–59
Ilieș D, Josan N (2009) Geosituri și geopeisaje. Edit. Universității din Oradea (in Romanian), p 246
Ilieş D, Ilieş A, Herman G, Baias Ş, Morar C (2011) Geotourist map of Baile Felix-Băile 1 Mai-Betfia (Bihor County, Romania). GeoJ Tour Geosites IV(8):219–227
Ilinca V, Comănescu L (2011) Aspects concerning some of the geomorphosites with tourist value from Vâlcea county (Romania). GeoJ Tour Geosites, Year IV 7(1):22–32
Irimia D, Toma B (2012) The identification of the geomorphosites in Buzău Subcarpathians. Tourism capitalization options. Studia Universitatis Babeș-Bolyai—Geographia LVII 2:161–171
Irimuş IA, Petrea D, Vescan I, Toma B, Vieru I (2011) Vulnerability of touristic geomorphosites in Transylvanian saliferous areas (Romania). GeoJ Tour Geosites 2(8):212–219
Kubalíková L (2013) Geomorphosite assessment for geotourism purposes. Czech J Tour 2(2):80–104
Lima FF, Brilha JB, Salamuni E (2010) Inventorying geological heritage in large territories: a methodological proposal applied to Brazil. Geoheritage 2(3–4):91–99
Martins B, Pereira A (2018) Residents’ perception and assessment of geomorphosites of the Alvão—Chaves region. Geosciences 8:381. https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences8100381
Massé MO, Morissette A, Hétu B, Tita G, Vigneault B (2011) Inventaire du patrimoine géomorphologique de l’archipel des Iles-de-la- Madeleine et identification des stratégies de valorisation géotouristique. Centre de recherche sur les milieux insulaires et maritimes (CERMIM), Iles-de-la-Madeleine (Québec)
O’Halloran D, Green C, Harley M, Stanley M, Knill J (eds) (1994) Geological and landscape conservation. The Geological Society, London, p 530
Pagano L (2008) Inventaire des géotopes géomorphologiques du Val Bavona et du Val Rovana. Sélection, évaluation et perspectives. Master’s thesis, University of Lausanne. http://mesoscaphe.unil.ch/igul/memoires/bd/
Panizza M (2001) Geomorphosites: concepts, methods and example of geomorphological survey. Chin Sci Bull 46(suppl Bd):4–6
Panizza M (2018) Outstanding intrinsic and extrinsic values of the geological heritage of the dolomites (Italy). Geoheritage 10:607. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12371-017-0259-7
Panizza M, Piacente S (2003) Geomorfologia culturale, Pitagora, Bologna, p 350
Pereira P, Pereira D, Caetano Alves MI (2007) Geomorphosite assessment in Montesinho Natural Park (Portugal). Geogr Helv 62(3):159–168
Pereira P, Pereira D (2010) Methodological guidelines for geomorphosite assessment. Géomorphologie 2:215–222
Pérez-Umaña D, Quesada-Román A, De Jesús Rojas JC (2018) Comparative analysis of geomorphosites in volcanoes of Costa Rica, Mexico, and Spain. Geoheritage. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12371-018-0313-0
Perret A (2008) Inventaire de géomorphosites du Parc Jurassien vaudois. Essai d’intégration des géotopes spéléologiques et valorisation géomorphologique des réserves naturelles. Master’s thesis, University of Lausanne. http://mesoscaphe.unil.ch/igul/memoires/bd/
Popa G, Popa A, Andrășanu A (2017) The SEA and big-S models for managing geosites as resources for local communities in the context of rural geoparks. Geoheritage 9:175–186
Popescu NC, Călin D (1987) Munţii Coziei, Colecţia „Munţii noştri”, Ed. Sport-turism, Bucureşti
Popescu B, Szasz L, Hann H, Schuster A (1977) Harta geologică a R.S.R., scara 1:50.000, foaia Călimănesti (L-35-97-B) , I.G.G., Bucuresti
Pralong JP (2005) A method for assessing tourist potential and use of geomorphological sites. Géomorphologie 3:189–195
Pralong JP (2006) Géotourisme et utilisation de sites naturels d’intérêt pour les sciences de la Terre. Les régions de Crans-Montana-Sierre (Valais, Alpes suisses) et Chamonix-Mont-Blanc (Haute-Savoie, Alpes françaises). Ph.D. thesis, University of Lausanne. https://doc.rero.ch/record/6171/files/These_PralongJP.pdf
Reynard E (2005) Géomorphosites et paysages, Géomorphologie 3:181–188
Reynard E (2009) The assessment of geomorphosites. In: Reynard E, Coratza P, Regolini-Bissig G (eds) Geomorphosites. Pfeil, Munchen, pp 63–71
Reynard E (2012) Geoheritage protection and promotion in Switzerland. Eur Geol 34:44–47
Reynard E, Fontana G, Kozlik L, Scapozza C (2007) A method for assessing scientific and additional values of geomorphosites. Geogr Helv 62(3):148–158
Reynard E, Perret A, Bussard J, Grangier L, Martin S (2016) Integrated approach for the inventory and managementof geomorphological heritage at the regional scale. Geoheritage 8:43–60
Selby MJ (1980) A rock mass strenght classification for geomorphic purposes: with tests from Antarctica and New Zeeland. Z Geomorphol 24:31–51
Sellier D (2010) L’analyse intégrée du relief et la sélection déductive des géomorphosites: application à la Charente-Maritime (France). Géomorphologie 2:199–214
Serrano E, González Trueba JJ (2005) Assessment of geomorphosites in natural protected areas: the Picos de Europa National Park (Spain). Géomorphologie 3:197–208
Sharples C (2002) Concepts and principles of geoconservation. Tasmanian Parks & Wildlife Service website. http://dpipwe.tas.gov.au/Documents/geoconservation.pdf
Vasile M (2014) Procese şi forme de dezagregare fizică a rocilor în areale din Carpaţii Meridionali şi Munţii Măcin, Teză de doctorat, Universitatea din București
Wimbledon WAP, Benton MJ, Bevins RE, Black GP, Bridgland DR, Cleal CJ, Cooper RG, May VJ (1995) The development of a methodology for the selection of British geological sites for geoconservation: part 1. Mod Geol 20:159–202
Wimbledon WAP, Ishchenko AA, Gerasimenko NP, Karis L. O, Suominen V, Johansson CE, Freden C (2000) Geosites-an iugs initiative: science supported by conservations. In: Barettino D, Wimbledon WAP, Gallego E (eds) Geological heritage: its conservation and management
Zouros N (2007) Geomorphosite assessment and management in protected areas of Greece. Case study of the Lesvos Island—coastal geomorphosites. Geogr Helv 62(3):169–180
Acknowledgments
The authors wish to thank the Cozia National Park for their support in collecting the data. We wish to thank to Mr. Cruceru Nicolae for providing the Hammer Schmidt tool. All authors have contributed equally to the development of this article.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Ovreiu, AB., Comănescu, L., Bărsoianu, IA. et al. Evaluating Geomorphosites and the Geomorphological Hazards that Impact them: Case Study—Cozia Massif (Southern Carpathians, Romania). Geoheritage 11, 1067–1087 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12371-019-00352-7
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12371-019-00352-7