Public perception of the hazards affecting geomorphological heritage-case study: the central area of Bucegi Mts. (Southern Carpathians, Romania)

This paper aims at presenting the opinion of the population (and especially of the tourists) about the natural and anthropogenic hazards affecting the geomorphological heritage of the central area of the Bucegi Mts. Our scientific approach is intended to raise the awareness of the authorities and tourists as well with regard to the degradation hazard of the geomorphological heritage through uncontrolled tourism activities, so that the management team of the Bucegi Mountains Natural Park can take the most appropriate measures for its preservation and protection. The study area belongs to the central section of the Bucegi massif, a realm characterized by many types of landforms and shaping processes, with many geomorphosites, which create a particularly valuable geomorphological heritage. The investigation relied on a sample of 158 tourists, whose perception was assessed based on a specific questionnaire. The general finding is that most tourists are familiar with the geomorphological heritage of this area, but few of them are aware of the existing hazards and especially of their long-term effects.