Paweł Nicia
Articles
Geographia Polonica (2015) vol. 88, iss. 2, pp. 139-145 | 
Full text
doi: https://doi.org/GPol.0020
Abstract
The upper forest line transition zone up to the mountain pine zone on the southern slopes of Babia Góra, has diversified phytosociology and soils. The development and diversity of the upper forest soils are affected by morphogenetic processes, physiographic conditions, vegetation, and anthropogenic factors which in the past included sheep grazing. An analysis conducted on the morphological and chemical soil properties in the transects covering the upper forest line, transition, and mountain pine zone on the southern slopes of Babia Góra revealed considerable diversification characterising these soils within the individual altitude zones. A substantial changeability in the contents of the analysed components in the investigated soils is characteristic for mountain soils developed in the areas with great intensity of slope phenomena and processes.
Keywords: Babia Góra Mt, soils, upper forest line
, Department of Soil Science and Soil Protection University of Agriculture in Krakow Mickiewicza 21, 31 -120 Krakow: Poland
, Department of Soil Science and Soil Protection University of Agriculture in Krakow Mickiewicza 21, 31-120 Krakow: Poland
, Faculty of Earth Sciences University of Silesia in Katowice Będzińska 60, 41 -200 Sosnowiec: Poland
Geographia Polonica (2015) vol. 88, iss. 2, pp. 177-191 | Full text
doi: https://doi.org/GPol.0023
Abstract
The character and main natural and anthropogenic factors driving the timberline on the Babia Góra Mt. was discussed. The model of Holtmeier (2009) was modified to describe the functioning of the local timberline. Originating in a geological structure, the asymmetric shape of the ridge of the Babia Góra Mt. created consequences for most of the components of the environment of the timberline. This main stationary factor influence all the others including the differences of local climate, soil development and human activity. The long history of direct impact of land use, grazing and logging and recent indirect influences (air pollution and climate warming) control the present character of the timberline.
Keywords: timberline, Carpathians, the Babia Góra Mt., grazing, spatial and temporal dynamics of timberline
[ryszard.kaczka@us.edu.pl], Faculty of Earth Sciences University of Silesia in Katowice Będzińska 60, 41 -200 Sosnowiec: Poland
, Faculty of Earth Sciences University of Silesia in Katowice Będzińska 60, 41 -200 Sosnowiec: Poland
[alajczak@o2.pl], Institute of Geography Pedagogical University of Krakow Podchorążych 2, 30 -084 Krakow: Poland
, Institute of Forest Ecology and Silviculture University of Agriculture in Krakow Al. 29 listopada 46, 31-425 Krakow: Poland
, Department of Soil Science and Soil Protection University of Agriculture in Krakow Mickiewicza 21, 31 -120 Krakow: Poland
Timberline in the Carpathians: An overview
Geographia Polonica (2015) vol. 88, iss. 2, pp. 7-34 | Full text
doi: https://doi.org/GPol.0013
Abstract
In nature, division lines are delineated where multiple important environmental features change. These division lines may be singled out at the intersection of two geosystems (Balon 2000) where the functional uniformity of the geosystems located on both sides are preserved (Forman & Gordon 1986; Cadenasso et al. 2003). A significant environmental boundary is the upper forest boundary (timberline), which separates different vegetation zones: (1) forest from non-forest (Piękoś-Mirkowa & Mirek 1996); climatic zones (2) cool from verycool (Hess 1965); geoecological zones (3) periglacial from temperate forest system (Kotarba 1996). A timberline is a sensitive ecosystem therefore is a good indicator of changes occurring in the environment. There are, however, multiple elements which affect the timberline. This ecotone has also been widely analysed in local, regional, and even monographic studies of numerous massifs. It is necessary to present and organise the great amount of information in order to aid research on the timberline in the Carpathians.
Keywords: boundaries in the mountain environment, timberline, Carpathians
, Faculty of Earth Sciences University of Silesia in Katowice Będzińska 60, 41 -200 Sosnowiec: Poland
[alajczak@o2.pl], Institute of Geography Pedagogical University of Krakow Podchorążych 2, 30 -084 Krakow: Poland
[ryszard.kaczka@us.edu.pl], Faculty of Earth Sciences University of Silesia in Katowice Będzińska 60, 41 -200 Sosnowiec: Poland
, Department of Soil Science and Soil Protection University of Agriculture in Krakow Mickiewicza 21, 31 -120 Krakow: Poland