Abstract
The present study examines the spatial and temporal dynamics of forest and vineyard areas in the last three decades in areas occupied by sandy soils in southern Oltenia. Areas with sandy soils in this zone are considered vulnerable elements of the environment as a result of deflation phenomenon that occurs after the disappearance of vegetation. It is therefore necessary to analyze the current state of sandy soils covered by forest vegetation and vineyards, these two categories of vegetation playing a vital role in their stabilization. The results obtained show that in the last three decades forest areas decreased by approx. 2700 ha (11.6%) being replaced by sandy soils, while vineyards areas have diminished with 22% (1638 ha), with negative consequences of ecological, climatic and social nature
Highlights
Southern Oltenia is currently in a full process of aridization (Păltineanu et al, 2009, Stringer et al, 2009), the causes being related to the context of climate changes (IPCC, 2007), and to the change of land use at the local level (Prăvălie & Sîrodoev, 2013)
The present study attempts to analyse the spatio-temporal dynamics of forest and vineyards surfaces, in the area of sandy soils
The spatio-temporal dynamics of the two land use categories was analysed in relation with the surfaces covered with sandy soils, evaluating the main spatio-temporal changes in the three areas where sandy textured soils occur, and in the relief subunits existing within these areas
Summary
Southern Oltenia is currently in a full process of aridization (Păltineanu et al, 2009, Stringer et al, 2009), the causes being related to the context of climate changes (IPCC, 2007), and to the change of land use at the local level (Prăvălie & Sîrodoev, 2013). Maintaining the vegetation in southern Oltenia is vital considering that this area has the most extensive sandy soils in the country (Parichi & Oancea, 1984), following the presence of coarse sandy deposits in the region. These sandy deposits have determined over time a high socioeconomic and ecological vulnerability due to phenomenon of wind deflation (Nuta, 2005). Present dedicated researches (Dumitraşcu, 2006, Ignat et al, 2009; Achim et al, 2011) have shown that the extinction of vegetation (forest areas and vineyards), in the context of anthropogenic deforestation, especially after political transition year of 1990, increased the effect of wind deflation due to the destabilization of the sand dunes, the adverse consequences being social (the damage of layer soil and decreased agricultural production) and environmental (geographical landscapes degradation) dysfunctionalities
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Schedule a callMore From: Scientific Annals of Stefan cel Mare University of Suceava. Geography Series
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