Present Environment and Sustainable Development (May 2013)
SPATIAL ANALYSIS OF FORESTED AREA DYNAMICS IN BISTRIŢA VALLEY - SUBCARPATHIAN SECTOR
Abstract
The paper is based on diachronic analysis of historical maps from different periods, in order to capture more accurately the evolution of the forest landscape in the subcarpathian sector of Bistriţa Valley. In order to achieve the final purpose, were used large scale cartographic materials covering a period of over two centuries (1788 – 2006), which were processed and interpreted into GIS environment. The results showed a continuous reduction of forest area, which in the first period occupied nearly half of the total study area. The main causes of these changes are of anthropogenic order, gradually replacing forests with pastures, agricultural land or built-up perimeter. During the whole period under review stands some small areas where afforestation works were made but insignificant in relation to the deforested areas.
