Impacts of tourism on geomorphological processes in the Bucegi Mountains in Romania

B. Mihai,I. Sandric,I. Savulescu,Z. Chitu,E. Reynard,G. Werren

doi:10.5194/gh-64-134-2009

Abstract

Abstract. The Bucegi Mountains are situated in the Curvature Carpathians close to the metropolitan area of Bucharest. Tourism has been promoted on the Bucegi Plateau since the 1930s with the establishment then of several hotels and chalets. During the communist period after World War II, the area targeted mass tourism with the creation of a large network of hiking paths. Increased heating needs led to the almost complete removal of dwarf pine cover. The current situation is characterised by intense vegetation and soil degradation and by active gullying along the hiking trails and around the main tourist infrastructures. This study proposes a strategy for sustainable tourism development on the plateau based on an analysis of both local tourist infrastructure development during the 20th century and impacts of tourism on vegetation and soil erosion during the last decade. It is argued that erosion can be counterbalanced by redesigning the tourist path network, rehabilitating the degraded slopes and raising the awareness of tourists concerning geomorphological processes.

Highlights

Because tourism is an economic and social activity that always develops within a territorial context, the phenomenon of tourism may be studied with geographical methods that allow analysis of complexity and impacts in order to mitigate consequences on the environment
Geomorphology and tourism influence one another reciprocally: the geomorphological context may contribute to the tourist attraction of specific places, and tourist development may create strong impacts on the landforms (Reynard et al 2003, Fig. 1)
The tourism industry profited from growing industrialisation in the Prahova Valley and the decision of the Royal Family to locate their summer residence in Sinaia

Summary

Introduction

Because tourism is an economic and social activity that always develops within a territorial context, the phenomenon of tourism may be studied with geographical methods that allow analysis of complexity and impacts in order to mitigate consequences on the environment (see Lozato-Giotard 2003; Michaud 1983; Stock 2003). Geomorphology and tourism influence one another reciprocally: the geomorphological context may contribute to the tourist attraction of specific places, and tourist development may create strong impacts on the landforms (Reynard et al 2003, Fig. 1). Tourist exploitation (n°4) of geoheritage may have a negative impact (n°5) on the ecosystem, leading to a degradation of the geoheritage value, as well as situations of increased risk (n°6 and 7) The latter can be created or accentuated by the tourist use of sites where geohazards are intense (e.g. mountains, deserts)

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Conclusion