The Romanian Carpathians are an important part of Europe’s mountain areas, the actual pattern of forest cover reflecting a long history of land-use practices and management. In the present work, we analyse the recent changes (1945–2018) in the upper forest cover along the 37 mountain units using old topographic maps and Sentinel-2A high-resolution satellite images in order to quantify several spatial indicators related to the upper forest cover and upper forest limit changes. In order to understand the regional variation, we have tested the correlations between the location of the upper forest limit, the local topography and the geographical position. Furthermore, with a view to evaluate the upper forest limit change according to its potential climatic limit, the 10 °C July isotherm was estimated based on WorldClim climate data. In addition, the situations inside and outside the major protected areas were also analysed and discussed so as to assess the possible regional differences as related to human effects. The results revealed a continued downward shift in the mountain areas located below the 1600 m a.l.s., but significant advancement above these values, indicating regional differences in land-use intensity and land management. This study is aimed to increase further knowledge as to the upper forest limit in the European mountains and to provide a baseline for modelling future potential change according to the environmental and anthropogenic variability in the area.

中文翻译：

---

人为土地利用变化对罗马尼亚喀尔巴阡山脉森林上限的影响

罗马尼亚喀尔巴阡山脉是欧洲山区的重要组成部分，森林覆盖的实际模式反映了土地利用实践和管理的悠久历史。在目前的工作中，我们使用旧地形图和 Sentinel-2A 高分辨率卫星图像分析了 37 个山地上部森林覆盖的近期变化（1945-2018），以量化与上部森林相关的几个空间指标覆盖率和森林上限变化。为了了解区域变化，我们测试了森林上限位置、当地地形和地理位置之间的相关性。此外，为了根据其潜在气候极限评估森林上限变化，根据 WorldClim 气候数据估计了 10 °C 7 月等温线。此外，还分析和讨论了主要保护区内外的情况，以评估与人类影响有关的可能区域差异。结果表明，1600米以下的山区继续向下移动，但高于这些值的显着提高，表明土地利用强度和土地管理的区域差异。本研究旨在进一步了解欧洲山区森林上限，并根据该地区的环境和人为变化为模拟未来潜在变化提供基线。结果表明，1600米以下的山区继续向下移动，但高于这些值的显着提高，表明土地利用强度和土地管理的区域差异。本研究旨在进一步了解欧洲山区森林上限，并根据该地区的环境和人为变化为模拟未来潜在变化提供基线。结果表明，1600米以下的山区继续向下移动，但高于这些值则显着提高，表明土地利用强度和土地管理的区域差异。本研究旨在进一步了解欧洲山区森林上限，并根据该地区的环境和人为变化为模拟未来潜在变化提供基线。