Descending mountain routes future: The north yungas and fĂgĂraȘ geosystem`s comparative study

Abstract

The Yungas region geographical position on the Eastern slopes of Cordillera Real and the Făgăraș Mountains East-West alignment generated unique Geosystems. A single gravel road links La Paz with Amazonia Boliviana: El Camino de la Muerte and only one road crosses the Făgăraș Mountains: the Transfăgărășan. Mountain roads networks are connecting communities and their resources all over the world. This research is adding value to the old mountain roads systems using the new technical Geography advances and transforming them in tourist sites. The cultural ecosystem services have a growing popularity that can be valorized for the locals benefits if managed accordingly. This paper focuses on the special descending sections identification and assessment for the mountain recreational activities development. The North Yungas and the Făgăraș areas represent unique Geosystems from the Bolivian Andes and the Romanian Mountains, analyzed using Geomedia techniques. Here we show that our Death Road model can securely allow tourist access, increase locals’ livelihood and protect mountain environments. Our research results prove that the South American Geosystem`s unique attributes can constitute a functional reference for a considerable number of world`s mountain routes future sustainable development.