Geosites, geomorphosites and geodiversity in Putna Catchment, Vrancea, Romania

Vrancea region is one of the most impressive and diverse areas within Romania, located in the most active tectonic setting of the country, being defined by an uplift in the upland and subsidence in the lowland. The administrative and historic region spreads from the Carpathians Mountains to the Subcarphatians and to the Romanian Plain.

The Putna catchment is the primary hydrographic basin that drains the area. It has a density and variety of geosites and geomorphosites that are comparably high, taking into account that the Carpathians in this area are under 1800 m. Moreover, the lithology and the geological settings are characterized only by sedimentary rocks. However, the sedimentary rocks under the long-term action of erosion and the morphoclimatic processes led to the growth of such impressive landscapes, respectively geosites and geomorphosites.

Hence we compiled an inventory of more than 20 geosites and geomorphosites, which cover more than 1000 hectares and show the potential of the basin resources. One of the unique features of the catchment is its biodiversity, as the Vrancea region is home to several protected areas for carnivores, including the large ones. These sites are essential areas for biodiversity conservation. They are also ideal areas for practicing forms of eco-tourism, vital resources whose potential should appropriately be assessed for future sustainable development within the Putna catchment.