Researches of Field Evidence for Late Quaternary Climate Changes in the Highest Mountains of Bulgaria - Sustainable Development in Mountain Regions: Southeastern Europe - page 152

Fig. 12.7 Variation in inter-annual size of Snezhnika microglacier and its relation to air
temperature
the cirque, and a movement with up to 3 m for certain blocks in transect 2, set
off on in the upper part of an active talus cone in the southern foot of Kutelo peak
(Fig. 12.8 ). Although movement was discrete and affected separate blocks more than
the whole stone mass (which made quantification of the mass movement impossi-
ble), results obtained are considered useful for relative evaluation and for separation
of zones with different potential for geomorphic transport and risk for occurrence
of catastrophic events related to talus movement.
From this short review it is seen that monitoring of contemporary geomorphic
processes in Bulgarian high mountains as indicators of present climate changes is
still in an initial stage. Considering the strategic geographical location of Bulgarian
research sites and the conceptual foundations that have already been set up, these
activities should be given a high priority. In support of these ideas, a development
of an international background has been already in progress. The main problem to
solve is to provide funding for research.
12.6 The Future - Prospects and Expectations
Future activities within the framework “Himont research” should follow the concep-
tual guidelines of global climate change studies. Research in Bulgarian mountains
needs to be incorporated in a joint effort extending to regional scale, possibly within
the Carpatho-Balkan region. Thus we would like to recommend and initiate build-
ing up of a Balkan workgroup for high-mountain environmental studies with a focus