Implikacje procesu saltacji wykrotowej w biomechanicznym przekształcaniu pokryw stokowych i mikrorzeźby stoku w piętrze regla górnego Karkonoszy
Tree uprooting process and its implications in biomechanical slope cover and slope microrelief disturbances in the upper forest zone of the Polish Kar

Summary/Abstract: The Karkonosze Massif as a part of the Sudety Mts is frequently considered as a mountain range where surficial degradation processes are most active. It is especially true for the area above the upper timber line (subalpine and alpine zone), anthropogenically altered slope surfaces and stream channels, and so far it has been proved by numerous analytical studies. However, in many of these studies the process of tree uprooting has not been takien into account and the forest belt zone has been rarely a subject of detailed geomorphological research. Results of the present study suggest that tree uprooting, in the Karkonosze Mts mostly caused by frequent episodes of high foehn winds, is probably the most important single factor of biomechanical alteration of soil mantle in the upper forest belt of the massif. It is also an agent which initiates further geomorphological processes within root plates and tree throw pits, as well as changes of pedogenetic meaning, including regressive remodeling of soils.

• Details
• Contents