Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
Fig. 21.2
The population dynamics in the “Muntii Maramuresului” Natural Park (1991-2007)
one of the main causes which led to a decrease in the number of inhabitants and
to population ageing is the migration of 83% of people able to work, because
the closure of mines made some 15,000 of their employees redundant (Romanian
Forest Administration,
2009
). Another consequence of the migration process is the
tendency of loosing the traditional architectural style of the area. A significant pro-
portion of the incomes in “Muntii Maramuresului” Natural Park are generated by
the people working outside the country, who return to their original villages with
lots of money, new ideas and new architectural approaches. While some of those
ideas are welcome and can improve their welfare, others go against the tradition of
the area. Thus, the constructions style and the newly introduced materials reduce
the significance of the Maramures landscape, which affects one of the major objec-
tives the Park is meant to value, that is, to preserve the traditional lifestyle, having a
negative aesthetic impact, at the same time.
Even though the number of the inhabitants in the area has dropped, within the last
period, the human pressure upon the natural resources of the park is continuously
growing, causing
land use/land cover changes.
The forest cover is the most affected
by these changes as it is connected with settlements expansion (urban sprawl) and
deforestation (Fig.
21.3
).
Other consequences of human activities expansion are related to pollution due to
environmental facilities insufficiently developed (water supply system, gas supply
system, sewerage, waste management). Therefore, the study area is facing serious
problems connected with the absence of water purification plants, waste deposits
and moreover with saw dust being spread chaotically, thereby sometimes reaching
riverbeds and having a major negative impact upon the environment.
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