Piatra Craiului Research Articles

Integrating monetary and non-monetary valuation for ecosystem services in Piatra Craiului national park, Southern Carpathians: a comprehensive approach to sustainability and conservation

The concept of ecosystem services and their valuation has gained significant attention in recent years due to the profound interdependence and interconnectedness between humans and ecosystems. As several studies on valuation of forest ecosystem services have stressed the human-nature interactions lately, in the research study area, the environmental conditions shows rapid changes while human pressures on forests intensify. Thus, the research questions are as follows: (i) what are the the monetary and non-monetary value of ecosystem services provided by forests in Piatra Craiului National Park and (ii) their relationship with other variables, focusing on identifying differences and resemblances between each approach. The R PASTECS package was utilized to analyze primary statistical indicators for both monetary and non-monetary values, revealing significant variability in the results (s% monetary 141% and s% non-monetary 62%). Both monetary and non-monetary assessments were computed at the management unit level and the data used was provided by the Forest Management plans and photograph analysis which have significant value as indicators of ecosystem services. The correlation between nature and culture was assessed through social-media based method, highly known to stimulate participant engagement while the quantitative data was assessed through forest data computation and PCA method for visualization. The research highlighted that, in monetary terms, the minimum value of identified ecosystem services was €34 and the maximum value exceeded €570,000 at management unit level and in non-monetary terms, the values ranged from 1 to 5 (kernel score). The research reveals a substantial variability in both types of valuations. Strong associations between certain variables (monetary value with carbon stock and stand volume), moderate connections (slope with stand productivity), and weaker relationships (non-monetary value with altitude, age with slope, type of flora with altitude, and altitude with stand productivity) were revealed. The findings provided valuable insights for policymakers, land managers, and stakeholders involved in natural resource management and conservation, emphasizing the importance of considering both economic and non-economic benefits in decision-making processes. The integrated approach of this study shows how we can better assess the mixed value of ecosystem services, contributing to the ongoing actions of raising awareness and social responsibility.

Cost Valuation and Climate Mitigation Impacts of Forest Management: A Case Study from Piatra Craiului National Park, Romania

With the intensification of the effects of climate change, the urgent need to address their drivers, especially greenhouse gas emissions, has become essential. In this context, forests offer a robust solution, with their potential to store and mitigate carbon emissions. However, striking a balance is critical given the significant economic contribution of the forestry and wood-based industries, which account for about 5% of Romania’s GDP and employ 6% (around 300 thousand) of its active workforce. This study, conducted in the Piatra Craiului National Park located in Romania’s Southern Carpathians, we utilize the EFISCEN application to generate three distinct 50-year forest evolution scenarios based on harvest intensity, namely Business As Usual (BAU), Maximum Intensity (MAX), and No Harvest (MIN), on two historical different managed forests, i.e., conservation and production. The study aims to guide forest owners in decision making with scenario modeling tools, with the objectives of assessing the forest carbon sequestration potential and evaluating the economic feasibility. In the most probable scenario, the BAU scenario, the growing stock increases from 2.6 million m3 to 3.8 million m3 over 50 years, with a more than 40% increase. Comparing the carbon stock change for all tree harvest scenario types indicates that the MIN scenario has the highest carbon sink capacity in the next 50 years; the BAU scenario is a well-balanced option between carbon sink and wood provision and has an optimal EUR 3.7 million in annual revenue. The MAX scenario can boost the growth and increase the annual revenue from wood by 35% but is effective only for a short time and thus has the smallest calculated revenue in time. Achieving a win–win relationship between carbon sequestration and wood supply is imperative, as well as good planning and scenarios to contribute to climate mitigation and also as provisions for local communities and to sustain the local economy.

First record of Jugatala cribelliger = Mycobates (Calyptozetes) cribelliger (Berlese, 1904) (Acari: Oribatida) in the Romanian fauna

The authors present one oribatid mite species new for the Romanian fauna, found in Piatra Craiului Mountains. Jugatala cribelliger = Mycobates (Calyptozetes) cribelliger (BERLESE, 1904) is described using scanning electronic microscope images, with notes on its morphology, taxonomic status and distribution.

Applying Q-methodology to investigate the perception of the social and economic role of the national park by local stakeholders. Cases of national parks in the Carpathians

The modern approach to the management of protected areas (PAs) introduces a holistic perspective on these areas, in which they are not seen as isolated conservation zones, but as units integrated with their natural, social and economic environment. They are expected to harmonize their protective role with tangible benefits for local communities. Fostering both social and economic development is particularly important in underdeveloped, peripheral areas. The efficacy of management within this novel paradigm relies heavily on the attitudes and perceptions of local communities towards the PAs. As a result, the research was undertaken to identify local stakeholders' perceptions of the social and economic role of national parks (NPs) in the Carpathian region of the European Union (EU). The study was based on 170 interviews conducted in eight NPs, among four stakeholder groups (NPs authorities, local authorities, representatives of the tourism sector, local residents). Q-methodology was applied to achieve a comprehensive understanding of respondents' perspectives, along with their nuanced opinions. This methodology enables a statistical analysis that leads to the identification of groups of opinions and the examination of differences between them. Based on it, three main groups of opinions (perspectives) were identified in which the national park was perceived as: I) a stimulant to sustainable local development, II) a partner and a chance for future local development and III) a constraint on local development. Perspective I was dominant (44.7% of respondents), being the most typical for Pieniny NP (Poland) and Aggtelek (Hungary), and - considering stakeholder groups - for national park authorities (the most homogeneous group in terms of opinions). Perspective II was characteristic mainly of Retezat NP (Romania) and Magura NP (Poland) and perspective III appeared most numerously in Poloniny (Slovakia), as well as in Piatra Craiului (Romania). The local context, related to a particular NP, differentiated opinions more strongly than the stakeholder group or country of origin. Opinions regarding the current park-people relationships and impact of the NP on local development as well as expectations as to the commercial use of the park's territory (the vision of tourism development) differed strongly among the representatives of the perspectives. A consensus emerged regarding the belief that NPs should support local development (e.g. by promoting local products and ensuring the benefits of its functioning reach the local residents). Furthermore, there was a consensus in rejecting the top-down management model of NPs, with a vision for future development focused on fostering a park-people partnership. These consensus views provide a positive ground for the implementation of a holistic approach and an integrative management model for NPs in the Carpathians.

Jugatala cribelliger (Berlese, 1904) a new oribatid mite species for the Romanian fauna

Jugatala cribelliger (Berlese, 1904) = Mycobates (Calyptozetes) cribelliger Subias, 2004 was found for the first time in the Romanian fauna. The species was identified using Electronic Microscope images. The species has an unknown habitat (Fischer and Schatz 2013) and is distributed in Northern Italy—Prov. Bolzano, Trento; Austria, Switzerland—Grisons; Iberian Peninsula. The specimen was collected form MSS (Mesovoid Shallow Substratum) from Piatra Craiului Mountains, Central Carpathians, Romania, in drillings used for sampling the alpine scree from Marele Grohotis, at an altitude of 1579 m. The combination of following characters of adults is considered as diagnostic features for Jugatala: rostrum rounded; lamella narrow to wide, with cuspides and translamella; lamellar cuspides without lateral and median dens or with minute lateral dens; bothridium cup shaped; sensillus with capitate or clavate head, rounded distally; tutorium narrow, with cusp pointed distally; notogaster with pteromorphs curved ventrally, line of desclerotization absent; lenticulus present or absent; 10 or 11 pairs of notogastral setae, dp present or absent; four to seven pairs of notogastral porose areas; six pairs of genital setae; all legs heterotridactylous; tibia I with dorsodistal apophysis bearing solenidion φ2; seta l” of tibiae and genua I–IV thick, heavily barbed (Bayartogtokh and Schatz 2008). With a distribution in Central and south-western Europe, Jugatala cribelliger (Berlese, 1904) is first recorded in the Carpathians, from Piatra Craiului Mountains in MSS, a subterranean environment.

Geochemical evaluation of soils, surface and groundwater from natural protected areas from Romania. Case studies.

The purpose of this article was to present an assessment of the soil and water quality in some protected areas from Romania in order to establish a series of geochemical thresholds on a spatial and temporal scale. The activities and results presented in this article are based on extensive monitoring, being stage results because the monitoring activities will continue, the project is ongoing. Two protected areas, Cheile Nerei -Beusnita National Park and Piatra Craiului National Park were selected. Surface water, groundwater samples, and soil samples were collected in 2019, respectively 2021 from 16 sampling sites situated in both locations. For each sample, twenty quality parameters/indicators were analyzed and the values were compared with in-force legislations. For Arsenic, Copper, and Nitrates parameters have plotted the distribution of the values in each site. In future monitoring activities, the evolution of the parameters will be followed.

Digging the frontier, tackling the epidemics. Researches on Bran Pass

The area next to the village Fundata, the former frontier between the Romanian Kingdom and Austria-Hungary, is located on the Rucăr-Bran corridor, between Piatra Craiului and Bucegi Mountains. Due to the configuration of the terrain, it was a good place to try an archaeological excavation in quest for the Roman road of <em>Limes Transalutanus</em>. Looking at the LiDAR based terrain-model I found yet the ruins of an unknown frontier checkpoint from modern times. That was only the first step towards a complex research, involving archives, modern history of mass epidemics, quarantine facilities and legislation, the rebirth of the Romanian Army, in the 19th century, cartography, but also landscape archaeology and the test excavations. The research was accomplished with the financial and logistic support of the HiLands Project, committed to mountain archaeology, but also a cherished backup of friends with certain knowledge in modern military history, modern architecture, or archival research. The test digging have intersected a group of buildings, very likely a frontier checkpoint operative between 1850-1880, preceding the later and better known frontier station from the Mount Giuvala, before the First World War. I would be pleased if the effort done within this research, as well as its publication in an archaeological periodical as this, would be a stimulus for Romanian archaeologists to look with more consideration to both mountain archaeology and modern archaeological sites which escaped till now to the radar of science, which are plenty.

Implications of Philately in Promoting the Protected Natural Areas (VI) - Piatra Craiului National Park

Continuing the series of articles that promote the implications of thematic philately about protected natural areas, we stopped this time, on the Piatra Craiului National Park. As an area of national interest, the Piatra Craiului area has also been immortalized on various post-philatelic effects. From the multitude of philatelic pieces (postage stamps, envelopes on the first day of the show - FDCs, illustrated postcards, occasional envelopes, etc.) that were identified, the reproduction was chosen only of those who contributed to the promotion of tourism potential. From landscapes to species of flora and fauna, of scientific interest and environmental protection, the pieces analyzed come to certify the idea that thematic philately is more than an ambassador of the intrinsic values of an area. In fact, by appealing to philatelic effects, the entire community had to gain in terms of the fact that tourists, mostly from abroad, had already provided access to tourist information and more.

The Aptian Gura Râului conglomerates (Southern Carpathians): remains of an extended subaqueous gravity flow deposit from the eastern flank of the Getic Nappe

The Getic Nappe belongs to the Central Dacides or Dacia Mega Unit. Gravity flow deposits were generated by the Lower Cretaceous overthrust and uplift of this unit over the External Dacides. In the Piatra Craiului Syncline (part of the Getic Nappe), such detrital deposits are represented by the Aptian conglomerates and the uppermost Albian-Cenomanian conglomerates. Part of the infill of the syncline consists of a thick pile of NW–SE oriented conglomerates. Sedimentological study documents the presence of an association which consists of three distinct facies types, represented by: massive conglomerates; alternating conglomerates, sandstones and microconglomerates; and fining- and coarsening-upwards conglomerates. These deposits were accumulated through a series of debris flows, and hyperconcentrated or concentrated flows. The entire assemblage represents a complex routing system within submarine channels, an interpretation made by interpreting facies associations, palaeoflow directions and clast fabrics. A large part of this succession was removed by post-Albian erosion. Thus, the interpretation of the depositional system could be as a series of feeder channels or the submarine sector of a fan-delta system representing a foreland basin fill.

Facies evolution of the Jurassic-Cretaceous transition in the Eastern Getic Carbonate Platform, Romania: Integration of sequence stratigraphy, biostratigraphy and isotope stratigraphy

Piatra Craiului Massif is situated in the easternmost part of the Southern Carpathians, Romania. The Kimmeridgian–lowermost Valanginian carbonate succession from this area is part of the large Getic Carbonate Platform system, and forms a 25 km long, NE-SW oriented calcareous ridge with a maximum thickness of 1200 m. Previous studies of Upper Jurassic-Lower Cretaceous carbonate platforms from Romania focused on microfacies and biostratigraphic features but few studies addressed their sequence stratigraphy. This study aims to decipher the geological evolution of the Eastern Getic Carbonate Platform by integrating sequence stratigraphic, biostratigraphic and chemostratigraphic analysis methods. The studied sections are located in the northern and central part of the Piatra Craiului Massif. Centimeter to meter thick carbonate beds or banks are common and carbonate lithologies reveal five facies associations (F1F5) of outer platform deposits and inner platform peritidal settings. The outer platform deposits contain fragments of subaerially exposed intraclasts. Such processes are indicated by the facies characteristics and isotope chemostratigraphy data. The peritidal succession is characterized by the repetition of distinct sets of small-scale sequences, each of which commonly shows a deepening to shallowing upward trend. This trend is defined by a vertical scale transition from high-energy intertidal deposits to intertidal restricted ponds, swamps or supratidal marshes. The general trend shows a shallowing upward tendency. Commonly, intertidal deposits cap the shallowest facies of the corresponding small-scale sequences. The entire peritidal succession from the Piatra Craiului Massif forms a superimposed prograding wedge on platform margin deposits. Autocyclic processes and allocyclic processes appear to be responsible for the development of this carbonate succession.

The Cretaceous conglomerates from Piatra Craiului syncline (South Carpathians, Romania): searching for the source area

The study of conglomerate-type deposits represents a valuable tool that may be used on a large scale to reconstruct the stratigraphic record of the adjacent regions. In order to identify the source area, the first step is to analyze the lithology of the pebbles. The Gura Râului Aptian conglomerates and the Upper Albian–Cenomanian conglomerates are forming the siliciclastic infill of the Piatra Craiului Syncline unit. This study aims to identify the source area by using various analytical techniques such as lithological description, morphometric measurements, and determination of paleocurrents. The carbonate pebbles from these deposits contain various types of microfacies and microfossils, which indicate a Middle Jurassic to Early Cretaceous (Barremian–Early Aptian) age. Other clasts include Callovian–Oxfordian siliceous pebbles and metamorphic fragments from the Cumpăna and Leaota groups. The analysis suggests that the Aptian conglomerates were sourced from the adjacent units located in the northern–northwestern part of the Piatra Craiului Massif. They consist of autochthonous carbonate sediments, which are surrounded by metamorphic rocks. A possible scenario is that the erosion of the carbonate succession from the surrounding areas continued until the end of the Early Cretaceous. The source area of the uppermost Albian–Cenomanian conglomerates also coincides with the carbonate succession from the Piatra Craiului Massif. A first argument in favor of this hypothesis is represented by the microfacies and microfossil associations hosted within the carbonate pebbles of this siliciclastic unit. They show similarities with assemblages described by different authors from the Kimmeridgian–Lower Valanginian succession of the Piatra Craiului Massif.

Remarks on Petrascula bugesiaca Bernier, 1979 from the uppermost Jurassic−lowermost Cretaceous limestones of Romania

AbstractPetrascula bugesiaca was described by Bernier (1979) from Portlandian (= Tithonian) limestones of the Sothern Jura Mountains (French Switzerland), and since the first description, has never been identified in any other place. The study of uppermost Jurassic olistoliths embedded in Cretaceous conglomerates from Piatra Craiului (South Carpathians, Romania) gave us the possibility to identify well preserved specimens of this dasycladalean alga. The new material confirms Bernier's ascription of the species to the genus Petrascula, being characterized by a club‐shaped morphology.

Passage Jurassique-Crétacé sur la plate-forme carbonatée gétique (Carpathes méridionales, Roumanie) : Foraminifères et algues benthiques

The carbonate succession of the Piatra Craiului Massif, i.e., the eastern part of the Getic carbonate platform (Southern Carpathians, Romania), comprises reefal and peritidal limestones that contain a diverse microfossil assemblage composed mainly of calcareous green algae and benthic foraminifera. The biostratigraphically most significant benthic foraminifera found in the several sections studied are described; some (Anchispirocyclina lusitanica, Neokilianina rahonensis, Bramkampella arabica, Everticyclammina praekelleri) are reported for the first time in this area. Hence, assemblages of both foraminifera and calcareous algae characterize three biostratigraphic intervals in the studied succession, the Kimmeridgian - lower Tithonian, the upper Tithonian - lower Berriasian, and the upper Berriasian - ? lower Valanginian intervals. The main microfacies types (bioclastic rudstone, coral-microbial boundstone, bioclastic grainstone, interbedded mudstones and wackestones with cyanobacteria nodules) as well as both the foraminifera and the calcareous algae are paleoecological indicators that may contribute to the decipherment of the depositional environments and to building a depositional model for the eastern part of the Getic carbonate platform at the Late Jurassic-Early Cretaceous transition.

Genetic variation and performance of the alpine plant species Dianthus callizonus differ in two elevational zones of the Carpathians

In this investigation, we studied whether genetic variation and performance of the alpine plant species Dianthus callizonus differ between two different elevational zones of the southern Carpathians in Romania. We analysed 17 populations of the species from two study regions at 1700 and 2100 m above sea level in the Piatra Craiului Mountains applying AFLP analyses and morphological measurements. Following our results, population size differed between the two study regions and genetic variation within populations depended on population size. Population size and genetic variation within populations were higher in the study region located at 1700 m. By contrast, genetic variation between populations was nearly twice as large in the study region located at 2100 m. In a Mantel test, genetic and geographic distances between populations were clearly correlated. Moreover, individuals from the study region at 2100 m were significantly smaller, had fewer shoots, fewer flowers per shoot and produced seeds with a lower seed mass than individuals from the study region at 1700 m. The results of our study support the observation that changing environmental conditions along elevational gradients in mountain regions affect population size, genetic variation and performance of alpine plant species from different elevational zones, which should be considered in plant conservation.

Exploring the different facets of plant endemism in the South-Eastern Carpathians: a manifold approach for the determination of biotic elements, centres and areas of endemism

In the European Alpine System, the Carpathian Mountains are recognized as one of the major centres of diversity and endemism. In the present study, we aimed to explain the spatial structure of plant endemism in its South-Eastern subunit by the complementary use of diversity indices, parsimony analysis of endemicity (PAE), biotic element analysis (BEA), and barrier analysis. We analyzed the available information on 111 plant taxa confined to the South-Eastern Carpathians, mapped using two different sets of operational geographical units (OGUs): 71 geomorphological units and 64 quadrats. Our results showed that centres of endemics diversity largely corresponded to the areas of endemism and biotic elements. PAE consensus cladogram outlined four major areas of endemism (with three nested ones): (1) Danubian; (2) western part of the Southern Carpathians; (3) eastern part of the Southern Carpathians; and (4) Pocutico-Marmarossian. Out of the seven identified biotic elements, five were spatially clustered and overlapped the major areas of endemism, with one notable exception: the calcareous massifs from the Eastern Carpathians, not identified through PAE. Conversely, the latter outlined a nested area of endemism (Cozia – Buila-Vânturarița), omitted by BEA. Barrier analysis identified three major breaks in the distribution of endemics: (1) south of the Retezat – Țarcu – Godeanu mountain group; (2) north of the Piatra Craiului – Bucegi – Ciucaș mountain group; and (3) north of the Rodna massif. The results obtained in here using different methods are generally spatially convergent, indicating highly structured patterns of endemism in the South-Eastern Carpathians. These patterns mostly follow the present-day distribution of alpine habitats and calcareous bedrock, which might have acted as isolating factors through insularity. Interestingly, three of the spatial clusters of OGUs obtained from the endemics distribution analyses (the Eastern Carpathians, as well as eastern and western parts of the Southern Carpathians) largely also correspond to the mid-Miocene archipelago configuration of landmasses in this part of the Carpathians. This might suggest the existence of older migration barriers that emerged throughout the Neogene Period. Differences in the spatial patterns outlined by PAE and BEA could stem from partial sympatry of endemics caused by post-speciation processes such as dispersal or extinction. Additionally, sympatric distribution of taxa with disjunct populations may be caused by the absence of divergence among segregated populations, such as the patterns of relict distributions seen in alpine plants. Finally, the complementary use of these methods may prove to be an efficient approach for better understanding the geographical structure of endemism and provide a starting point for further testing of hypotheses on evolutionary processes.

Quantifying landscape pattern and assessing the land cover changes in Piatra Craiului National Park and Bucegi Natural Park, Romania, using satellite imagery and landscape metrics

Protected areas of Romania have enjoyed particular importance after 1989, but, at the same time, they were subject to different anthropogenic and natural pressures which resulted in the occurrence of land cover changes. These changes have generally led to landscape degradation inside and at the borders of the protected areas. In this article, 12 landscape metrics were used in order to quantify landscape pattern and assess land cover changes in two protected areas, Piatra Craiului National Park (PCNP) and Bucegi Natural Park (BNP). The landscape metrics were obtained from land cover maps derived from Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) and Landsat Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus (ETM+) images from 1987, 1993, 2000, 2009 and 2010. Three land cover classes were analysed in PCNP and five land cover map classes in BNP. The results show a landscape fragmentation trend for both parks, affecting different types of land covers. Between 1987 and 2010, in PCNP fragmentation was, in principle, the result not only of anthropogenic activities such as forest cuttings and illegal logging but also of natural causes. In BNP, between 1987 and 2009, the fragmentation affected the pasture which resulted in the occurrence of bare land and rocky areas because of the erosion on the Bucegi Plateau.

Myurella tenerrima, a Moss Species New to Romania

Ştefănuţ, S. & Manole, A. 2015. Myurella tenerrima, a moss species new to Romania. — Herzogia 28: 282–284.Myurella tenerrima (Pterigynandraceae) is reported for the first time from Romania. The species was found in the Piatra Craiului and Făgăraş Mountains of Romania, on calcareous substrates. SEM figures of the diagnostic character (position of leaf papillae) illustrate how this species can be separated from M. sibirica.

Rural Tourism and its Implication in the Development of the Fundata Village

The role of tourism in the national economy of various countries is particularly important because of the complexity of this phenomenon. The powerful economic and social transformations in the contemporary period created and developed tourism which in turn stimulated the development of other branches of the national economy through the subject of its activity such as industry and agriculture, construction, transport, trade, etc. Thus, the development of tourism and his transformation into a huge phenomenon with far-reaching implications of economic, social, cultural, etc. has resulted in the establishment and consolidation of tourist market rural tourism is one of the forms of tourism that incorporates aspects of sustainable development, environmental protection, development of entrepreneurship, both in direct activities and those related to the practice of this form of tourism traditions and customs, ancient and unspoiled, rural life, computer games, and architecture, gives a specific identity of Fundata, the highest village in Romania. The identity of Fundata is complemented by natural landscape, lined the Bucegi and Piatra Craiului mountains. The paper presents aspects of rural tourism developments in the village of victory, as well as some methods and techniques to promote rural tourist offer in this locality.

Dasycladalean algae from Upper Jurassic-Lower Cretaceous limestones of Piatra Craiului Massif (South Carpathians, Romania) and their relationship to paleoenvironment

Dasycladalean algae from Upper Jurassic-Lower Cretaceous limestones of Piatra Craiului Massif (South Carpathians, Romania) and their relationship to paleoenvironment

Dendroclimatic reconstruction of summer temperatures in Southern Carpathians

A significant summer temperature warming trend and little or no change in precipitation variation have been observed in the southern part of the Carpathians after 1980. In this paper we seek to find similar past climatic conditions using a dendroclimatic reconstruction of summer temperatures. Regional dendroclimatic reconstruction has been conducted in four different massifs (Bucegi, Piatra Craiului, Făgăras and Parâng Massifs) belonging to the Southern Carpathians. The four sampling sites are located nearby the upper timberline, the forest stands being here dominated by Norway spruce trees (Picea abies (L) Karst). A tree-ring width (TRW) chronology of P. abies has been used here to reconstruct summer temperatures back to the end of 19 th century. Results indicate that during the considered period, the decadal periods characterized by cold summers alternate with those with warm summer temperatures