Sorina Mihaela BOGDAN, Ileana STUPARIU,, Andreea ANDRA-TOPÂRCEANU & Irina Iulia NĂSTASE - MAPPING SOCIAL VALUES FOR CULTURAL ECOSYSTEM SERVICES IN A MOUNTAIN LANDSCAPE IN THE ROMANIAN CARPATHIANS, Carpathian Journal of Earth and Environmental Sciences, February 2019, Vol. 14, No. 1, p. 199 - 208; DOI:10.26471/cjees/2019/014/072

Determining the spatio-temporal patterns of rockfalls, such as the zonation of hazards and the assessment of associated risks, can be challenging due to poor historical archives. Dendrogeomorphological methods cover this lack of data and provide reliable reconstructions of rockfall activities over several centuries. These methods are based on the signals recorded in the tree rings that are affected by the mechanical impact of falling rock fragments. In this study, we analyzed the spatial and temporal distribution of rockfalls in a 0.19 ha forest area in the Southern Carpathians. We collected 170 samples (100 increment cores and 70 stem discs) from all 40 Picea abies (L.) Karst trees identified in the study area (1 tree/47 m²). This allowed us to date 945 events between 1817 and 2021, which we then compared with available weather records. Our results show the main trajectory of falling rock fragments from the source area, as well as significant temporal variations in process activity. These variations correlate only slightly with fluctuations in meteorological parameters. Despite the expected intensification of natural hazards due to climate warming, our study area shows a general trend towards a slight decrease in rockfall activity at present.

Heritage monuments are religious, historical, strategic, or civil edifices and could be deteriorated or even damaged due to their exposure to natural and anthropogenic hazards. The Roman Edifice with Mosaic (II-IV A.D.), the largest civil edifice (2040 m²) in Eastern Europe, is an ancient civil edifice built on the steep cliff in the western part of the Black Sea, Constanța, Romania, and is exposed to geomorphological and hydrogeological processes, which are affected by degradation. The main objective of this paper is to assess the current state of this ancient historical site in relation to environmental instability and offer scientific support for the rehabilitation process through interdisciplinary and non-destructive methods. Geophysical methods had been applied to comparatively analyze the spatial variations and flows of groundwater around the Roman Edifice with Mosaic in 2008 and 2019. Geomorphological hazards had already been inventoried and mapped. The results emphasize the state of degradation of the Roman mosaic pavement and ancient walls, mainly through high variations in the deposits’ moisture due to poor maintenance, which caused suffosion, and slip processes, bringing the mosaic into a high vulnerability range. The vulnerability map of the Roman Edifice with Mosaic environment is a necessary tool for continuously improving risk management because it clearly emphasizes the sectors that still have hazards.

The present study explores residents’ perceptions of Stintino (Sardinia, Italy) as a tourist destination. The municipality is predominantly known for La Pelosa beach, widely regarded as one of the most attractive coastal sites in Europe. However, its popularity has raised critical issues related to carrying capacity and seasonal overcrowding, contributing to a tourism model centered almost exclusively on beach-related activities. This study aims to investigate how locals conceptualize their place beyond the dominant seaside narrative, particularly considering Stintino’s identity as a former fishing village with a strong maritime tradition. As part of Italy’s designated inner areas, Stintino also embodies a deep-rooted connection to cultural heritage, further reinforcing the need for its preservation. Adopting a photovoice-based participatory visual methodology, this study engaged 15 local stakeholders from key sectors (hospitality, fishing tourism, retail, gastronomy, and cultural institutions) who produced and discussed photographic representations of their lived experience of the territory. The visual material was thematically analyzed using a conceptual framework informed by theories of place perception and social representations. The findings suggested a multifaceted territorial storytelling rooted in local heritage, symbolic spaces, and everyday practices. Tourism governance strategies could incorporate community-based approaches, such as participatory mapping and inclusive narrative development, to foster more sustainable and place-sensitive promotion models.

Heritage monuments are religious, historical, strategic or civil edifices and could be deteriorated, even damaged due to their exposure to natural and human induced processes. The Roman Edifice with Mosaic (II-IV A.D.), the largest one in Eastern Europe is an ancient civil edifice built on the steep cliff in the western part of Black Sea, Constanța, Romania and being exposed to geomorphological and hydrogeological processes is affected by degradation. The main objective of this paper is to assess the current state of this ancient historical site in relation with the environmental instability in order to offer scientific support for rehabilitation process through interdisciplinary and non-destructive methods. Geophysical methods had been applied to analyze comparatively the spatial variations and flows of groundwater around Roman Mosaic over 10 years. Geomorphological hazards had been inventoried and mapped. The results emphasize the state of degradation of the roman mosaic pavement and ancient walls mainly through high variations of the deposits moisture due to poor maintenance which caused suffusion, slip processes, bring the mosaic into highly vulnerability range. Zoning vulnerability map of the Roman Mosaic environment is a necessary tool for continuously improvement of risk management because emphasize clearly the sectors which still confronting with hazards.