Geomorphological Analysis and Heritage Value of Dobreștilor–Brusturet Cave: A Significant Geomorphosite in the Bran–Dragoslavele Corridor, Romania

This study examines the morphology and development of Dobreștilor–Brusturet Cave, located in the Brusturet gorge at the western edge of the Bran–Dragoslavele Corridor, an important tourist route in the Romanian Carpathians. The research aims to analyze the geomorphological characteristics and establ...

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Main Authors: Septimius Trif, Ștefan Bilașco, Roșca Sanda, Fodorean Ioan, Iuliu Vescan, András-István Barta, Raboșapca Irina
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Heritage
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2571-9408/8/5/183
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author Septimius Trif
Ștefan Bilașco
Roșca Sanda
Fodorean Ioan
Iuliu Vescan
András-István Barta
Raboșapca Irina
author_facet Septimius Trif
Ștefan Bilașco
Roșca Sanda
Fodorean Ioan
Iuliu Vescan
András-István Barta
Raboșapca Irina
author_sort Septimius Trif
collection DOAJ
description This study examines the morphology and development of Dobreștilor–Brusturet Cave, located in the Brusturet gorge at the western edge of the Bran–Dragoslavele Corridor, an important tourist route in the Romanian Carpathians. The research aims to analyze the geomorphological characteristics and establish the heritage value of the Dobreştilor Cave geomorphosite, supporting protection efforts for invertebrate species that led to the cave’s designation as a natural monument. The inventory of physical features prompted the Piatra Craiului National Park Scientific Council to consider including this speleological site in a thematic geotourism circuit called “The Road of Gorges and Caves in the Upper Basin of the Dâmbovițean”, integrated within protected areas. This represents the first geomorphological study of the cave. Given its ecological significance within the national park’s strict protection zone, recreational tourism is prohibited. The cave should only be used as a geotourism resource for scientific research and education. Morphogenetic analysis reveals that the cave has evolved in a vadose hydrological regime since the Pleistocene, with cavity expansion influenced by free-flowing water alternating with that under pressure during torrential episodes, concomitant with the precipitation of calcium carbonate that formed various speleothems. This research supports documentation for promotional materials and could assist local authorities in the Dâmbovicioara commune with geotourism development decisions, potentially integrating the site into a proposed “Moieciu–Fundata–Dâmbovicioara–Rucăr Geological and Geomorphological Complex”.
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spelling doaj-art-112bb18f69bf4141ab949d37aaf4fae62025-08-20T03:47:58ZengMDPI AGHeritage2571-94082025-05-018518310.3390/heritage8050183Geomorphological Analysis and Heritage Value of Dobreștilor–Brusturet Cave: A Significant Geomorphosite in the Bran–Dragoslavele Corridor, RomaniaSeptimius Trif0Ștefan Bilașco1Roșca Sanda2Fodorean Ioan3Iuliu Vescan4András-István Barta5Raboșapca Irina6Faculty of Geography, “Babeș Bolyai” University, 5-7 Clinicilor Street, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, RomaniaFaculty of Geography, “Babeș Bolyai” University, 5-7 Clinicilor Street, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, RomaniaFaculty of Geography, “Babeș Bolyai” University, 5-7 Clinicilor Street, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, RomaniaFaculty of Geography, “Babeș Bolyai” University, 5-7 Clinicilor Street, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, RomaniaFaculty of Geography, “Babeș Bolyai” University, 5-7 Clinicilor Street, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, RomaniaFaculty of Geography, “Babeș Bolyai” University, 5-7 Clinicilor Street, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, RomaniaFaculty of Geography, “Babeș Bolyai” University, 5-7 Clinicilor Street, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, RomaniaThis study examines the morphology and development of Dobreștilor–Brusturet Cave, located in the Brusturet gorge at the western edge of the Bran–Dragoslavele Corridor, an important tourist route in the Romanian Carpathians. The research aims to analyze the geomorphological characteristics and establish the heritage value of the Dobreştilor Cave geomorphosite, supporting protection efforts for invertebrate species that led to the cave’s designation as a natural monument. The inventory of physical features prompted the Piatra Craiului National Park Scientific Council to consider including this speleological site in a thematic geotourism circuit called “The Road of Gorges and Caves in the Upper Basin of the Dâmbovițean”, integrated within protected areas. This represents the first geomorphological study of the cave. Given its ecological significance within the national park’s strict protection zone, recreational tourism is prohibited. The cave should only be used as a geotourism resource for scientific research and education. Morphogenetic analysis reveals that the cave has evolved in a vadose hydrological regime since the Pleistocene, with cavity expansion influenced by free-flowing water alternating with that under pressure during torrential episodes, concomitant with the precipitation of calcium carbonate that formed various speleothems. This research supports documentation for promotional materials and could assist local authorities in the Dâmbovicioara commune with geotourism development decisions, potentially integrating the site into a proposed “Moieciu–Fundata–Dâmbovicioara–Rucăr Geological and Geomorphological Complex”.https://www.mdpi.com/2571-9408/8/5/183Bran–Dragoslavele Corridorgeotourismgeomorphological speleologyheritage valuemorphogenetic investigation
spellingShingle Septimius Trif
Ștefan Bilașco
Roșca Sanda
Fodorean Ioan
Iuliu Vescan
András-István Barta
Raboșapca Irina
Geomorphological Analysis and Heritage Value of Dobreștilor–Brusturet Cave: A Significant Geomorphosite in the Bran–Dragoslavele Corridor, Romania
Heritage
Bran–Dragoslavele Corridor
geotourism
geomorphological speleology
heritage value
morphogenetic investigation
title Geomorphological Analysis and Heritage Value of Dobreștilor–Brusturet Cave: A Significant Geomorphosite in the Bran–Dragoslavele Corridor, Romania
title_full Geomorphological Analysis and Heritage Value of Dobreștilor–Brusturet Cave: A Significant Geomorphosite in the Bran–Dragoslavele Corridor, Romania
title_fullStr Geomorphological Analysis and Heritage Value of Dobreștilor–Brusturet Cave: A Significant Geomorphosite in the Bran–Dragoslavele Corridor, Romania
title_full_unstemmed Geomorphological Analysis and Heritage Value of Dobreștilor–Brusturet Cave: A Significant Geomorphosite in the Bran–Dragoslavele Corridor, Romania
title_short Geomorphological Analysis and Heritage Value of Dobreștilor–Brusturet Cave: A Significant Geomorphosite in the Bran–Dragoslavele Corridor, Romania
title_sort geomorphological analysis and heritage value of dobrestilor brusturet cave a significant geomorphosite in the bran dragoslavele corridor romania
topic Bran–Dragoslavele Corridor
geotourism
geomorphological speleology
heritage value
morphogenetic investigation
url https://www.mdpi.com/2571-9408/8/5/183
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AT roscasanda geomorphologicalanalysisandheritagevalueofdobrestilorbrusturetcaveasignificantgeomorphositeinthebrandragoslavelecorridorromania
AT fodoreanioan geomorphologicalanalysisandheritagevalueofdobrestilorbrusturetcaveasignificantgeomorphositeinthebrandragoslavelecorridorromania
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