Roxana Cuculici - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Roxana Cuculici

Landscape Online, 2010

The relationships between patterns and processes lie at the core of modern landscape ecology. The... more The relationships between patterns and processes lie at the core of modern landscape ecology. These dependences can be quantified by using indices related to the patch-corridor-matrix model. This model conceptualizes landscapes as planar mosaics consisting of discrete patches. On the other hand, relief variability is a key factor for many ecological processes, and therefore these processes can be better modeled by integrating information concerning the third dimension of landscapes. This can be done by generating a triangle mesh which approximates the original terrain. The aim of this methodological paper is to introduce two new constructions of triangulations which replace a digital elevation model. These approximation methods are compared with the method which was already used in the computation of 3D-landscape metrics (firstly for parameterized surfaces and secondly for two landscape mosaics). The statistical analysis shows that all three methods are of almost equal sensitivity i...

… de geomorfologievol, 2009

Abstract: Using landscape metrics, we analyze the dynamics of landscape structure and landscape f... more Abstract: Using landscape metrics, we analyze the dynamics of landscape structure and landscape functionality of an area situated at the contact between the mountainous and sub-mountainous regions of the Prahova Valley. ... Sustainable landscape management represents a ...

HUMAN GEOGRAPHIES – JOURNAL OF STUDIES AND RESEARCH IN HUMAN GEOGRAPHY, Nov 25, 2019

In a natural park, tourism is seen as an economic activity that can easily bring many benefits. A... more In a natural park, tourism is seen as an economic activity that can easily bring many benefits. Apuseni Natural Park (ANP)was chosen as a case study because it impacts communities (and especially moți) which have preserved their culture and traditions, coming from ancient times, in an area with remarkable natural and anthropogenic tourist resources. The aim of the study is to analyse the perception of local communities (endogenous), and visitors (exogenous), in order to highlight the heritage, economic advantages, and constraints in the natural park. The research is based on survey method and a number of spatial analysis tools, GIS, bibliographic sources, cartographic data mining, and field observations. The results show that local communities perceive in a high ratio the advantages of heritage preservation, linking them to the improvement of their life and less the disadvantages on the local economy. A more significant contrast in perception is revealed by tourists, who think that a national park has many advantages and constraints, the last ones accounting for the possible loss of functioning of the destination. In the frame of the recognised attractiveness of the ANP, the study suggests the need for a continuous monitoring process and the adoption of a receptive administration for each area and every actor involved.

Materiale şi cercetãri arheologice (Serie nouã), 2021

Rose culture has lately begun to expand in Romania, too, on the one hand due to the financial sup... more Rose culture has lately begun to expand in Romania, too, on the one hand due to the financial support offered by the European Union for agriculture, and on the other hand due to the favorable soils and climate conditions. Under the circumstances, the research problem resides in finding the arguments that plead for the opportunity of expanding rose cultures in Romania, as an alternative for the economic development of the rural communities, especially of those whose members own small-size agricultural plots. The fragmentation of agricultural lands properties is a rather well known phenomenon in Romania. At the same time, some crops, in order to be profitable, must be cultivated on large areas. Thus, an alternative for the local economic development could be to take into account the niche crops, which usually bring about significant profits for the small-scale producers, who own small plots of land. The objectives of this research aimed at the following aspects: identifying the main a...

GeoJournal of Tourism and Geosites, 2018

Ge eo oJ Jo ou ur rn na al l o of f T To ou ur ri is sm m a an nd d G Ge eo os si it te es s Year X

Characteristics of Aridity Conditions in South Dobrudja. For most people, the arid and semi-arid ... more Characteristics of Aridity Conditions in South Dobrudja. For most people, the arid and semi-arid lands are those where precipitation is low (less than 200 mm per year), and yet enough for supplying streams capable of temporarily carrying the debris resulted from weathering, but insufficient for encouraging the development of a vegetal cover meant to protect the soil blanket against eroding agents. The drought is a major and permanent climatic risk for the Dobrudja territory as a whole and for South Dobrudja in particular, a territory where hydrographic network is underdeveloped, streams are ephemeral, and semi-endorheic areas are well developed. When the period of moisture deficiency lasts longer, it can bring about a significant water imbalance, which results in crop losses or restrictions in water consumption, thus leading to a number of economic problems. Under the circumstances, the risk of aridity expansion is significant, this being the reason why a better water management sys...

In the terms of current climate change, reconversio n of land use in the drought-and aridityaffec... more In the terms of current climate change, reconversio n of land use in the drought-and aridityaffected south-western Romania, is an issue of utmos t priority. Thus, the present study aim represents a diachronic analysis of the land use wi thin the Bechet town area and proposes viable solutions for soil drought and aridity mitigation. Since 1989, uncontrolled and abusive logging affected the black locust forest areas, enabling th e sand dunes expansion and causing ecological disturbance. The main research methods were: field observation, statistical-mathematical methods and GIS mapping. The analysis of topographic maps a nd orthophotographs in 1970 to 2008 revealed a very low spatial distribution of both th e forest shelterbelts and shelterwoods. We proposed a reconstruction of these forest areas, wh ich today can no longer perform their fundamental function of land protection, because of intensive degradation. The positive consequences on long term would be the mitigation o f climate ...

19th International Multidisciplinary Scientific GeoConference SGEM2019, Ecology, Economics, Education and Legislation, 2019

Sustainability, 2021

The traditional Romanian village has recently seen unmistakable transformations. The import of ar... more The traditional Romanian village has recently seen unmistakable transformations. The import of architectural styles from EU countries and the need to modernise dwellings, combined with considerable legislative voids regarding the protection of the built-up heritage, have strongly modified traditional architecture and resulted in irremediable losses in terms of rural authenticity and landscape aesthetics. This study aims to analyse the need for preserving existing traditional architecture in Certeze village, which has been severely jeopardised by the import of post-modern elements. The perception of both locals and tourists on these aspects was evaluated using the survey method. Results outlined more conservative views from the older inhabitants who are still attached to traditional constructing styles, while younger respondents preferred the more modern houses. Most tourists also showed an increased interest in the traditional architecture and criticised the newer constructed buildi...

Following the social and economic transformations of the past decades, forest cover in Romania wa... more Following the social and economic transformations of the past decades, forest cover in Romania was seriously impacted, particularly in mountain areas. The study is seeking to analyze the spatio-temporal forest cover changes in Apuseni Mountains Natural Park. The study area is located in the northwest of Romania, covering a large part of the Western Carpathians. It includes extended forest ecosystems (72%), pastures and grasslands, karst forms and phenomena, and a large variety of flora and fauna. The spatial and statistical analyses relay on LANDSAT satellite images (1990, 2000, 2018) aimed at assessing forest flows, conversion, and dynamics using some relevant landscape metrics (binary change index and trend index). Despite the protected area status, over the analyzed interval, forests recorded a slight decrease (4.3%); pastures and grasslands being the main categories forests were converted to, but also the main categories converted into forests, followed by scrub and/or herbaceous vegetation. Forest cover evaluations in protected areas are critical in understanding the spatial dimension of landscape dynamics, and the resulted environmental disturbances in order to perform further evaluations on ecosystem services, risk assessment etc.

Sustainability, 2019

For a long time, wetlands were perceived as non-productive areas and were drained in an attempt t... more For a long time, wetlands were perceived as non-productive areas and were drained in an attempt to increase Romania’s agricultural surface, without acknowledging their ecological functions. This paper aims to identify possible ecological restoration models for the Danube floodplain according to the principles of sustainable development and the needs of the population living and working here. The research methodology included direct field observation, GIS techniques, and the survey method. The analysis proved the need for achieving the ecological restoration of this area while ensuring a harmonious relationship between nature and economic activities. After evaluating the views of local decision-making actors, different groups of stakeholders with divergent opinions emerged. While owners of agricultural holdings and agriculture experts pleaded for maintaining the status quo, NGOs voted for complete ecological restoration, and landowners with small farms, local authorities’ representat...

Journal of Environmental and Tourism Analyses, 2019

The Carpathian Mountains, an undeniable element of the Romania's tourism brand, have a great vari... more The Carpathian Mountains, an undeniable element of the Romania's tourism brand, have a great variety of attractions, accessed by over half of domestic visitors. At the same time, they are subjected by inappropriate development, which affects the supply and demand. Therefore, the study aims to analyze the perception of Generation Y (GY) regarding the tourism attractiveness and competitiveness in the Romanian Carpathians mountain units in order to identify a benchmarking of directions needed to improve the development of these destinations. The research is based on the survey method, applied to a sample of Millennial(s)/GY, processed in SPSSv.17 and evaluation using aggregate indexes. The results show that young tourists consider the attractiveness to be high for tourist resources and satisfactory for facilities. Performance of their experiences is influenced by outdoor relaxation, photos, and trekking activities. Despite some lacks regarding the winter sports facilities, accommodation, GY is still interested to visit or revisit different mountain units. Thus, the stakeholders must take in consideration the issues of facilities for winter sports, walk, mountain bike, and races events, to reshape and adapt all aspects related to the mobility, accommodation, promotion and quality of experiences in the Carpathian Mountains to meet much more to GY's expectations.

Journal of Environmental and Tourism Analyses, 2018

International Journal of Physical Sciences, Feb 4, 2011

Interdisciplinary approaches to landscape assessment are an extremely important component of envi... more Interdisciplinary approaches to landscape assessment are an extremely important component of environmental issues modelling and, consequently, of sustainable development. Thus, in recent years, specific indicators whose understanding and application requires a multidisciplinary background have been widely introduced and used. Examples of such indicators are landscape metrics, which reveal quantitative information concerning the structure, the features and the functionality of landscapes. The aim of the present study was to reveal the importance of global landscape metrics for monitoring the diversity, the fragmentation, the complexity and the homogeneity of a region. Based on 1970 maps and on 2009 satellite images, the values of seven global landscape metrics were computed for the mountainous and sub-mountainous region of the Prahova valley (Romania). The values highlighted the tendency of clustering and homogenization correlated with a decrease of shape complexity at landscape level. The information obtained can be useful both in landscape planning and habitat monitoring, as well as control of human intervention and anthropization.

Procedia Environmental Sciences, 2016