The article presents results of studies on the rate of erosion of the Wolin Island cliff-coast (NW Poland) during the last three decades. Trends of geomorphological changes were defined based on multiannual observations . Changes were controlled by secular and extreme processes. Research has shown that the intensity of the processes shaping the Wolin Island cliff-coast were characterized by a clear seasonal variability. Analysis of hydro-meteorological conditions allowed the authors to derive the threshold values of the most important factors initiating cliffs hazard. The destruction of the cliff, differing in range, occurs in the above-threshold conditions. Multiannual research and direct observations of the functioning of the cliff-coast conducted herein provided the basis for proposing the safety shield and information system about the cliff hazard.

A Dunes and eolian cover sands play an important role in the morphology of Wolin Island and the surrounding area. From radiocarbon dates, palynological data, archaeological evidence and the study of Swedish maps from 1694, it can he inferred that the above forms accumulated in the Late Vistulian (Older Dryas and Younger Dryas) and Holocene periods, mostly in the Subboreal and Sub-Atlantic periods. The development of eolian processes was due to climatic conditions during the Late Vistulian as well as the Holocene human involvement in the environment of dune-covered areas and the absence of a vegetation cover on sand spits emerging successively from the sea.

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Szpikowski, J., Szpikowska, G., Zwoliński, Zb. and Kostrzewski, A., 2014. Magnitude of fluvial transport and rate of denudation in a non-glacierised catchment in a polar zone, Central Spitsbergen.ABSTRACT. Research into the magnitude of fluvial transport was carried out in the non-glacierised polar Dynamisk Bekken catchment in the region of Petunia Bukta, in the central part of West Spitsbergen. The study period included two ablation seasons (July-August) in 2008 and 2009. The stream flows from the glacial cirque cutting the northwestern edge of the Wordiekammen Massif. The bedrock is composed of sedimentary rocks. The Dynamisk Bekken is periodic stream, mainly fed from snow cover from June to early September. The other components of the feeding in the ablation seasons are less effective precipitation and groundwater from the active layer of permafrost. Medium discharge was 27.4 dm 3 s -1 ranging from 0.1 to 250.8 dm 3 s -1 . Average ionic composition of the water indicates the hydrogeochemical sulphate-bicarbonate-calcium type. A tendency of systematic increase in the proportion of sulphates and decreasing share of bicarbonate ions in the ionic composition of water during the ablation season was observed. This correlates with the gradual decrease in the discharge rate and the decrease of the meltwater in the stream feed. The proportion of geogenic components in the dissolved load material outflow from the catchment is 75%. It consists of mainly bicarbonates, sulphates and calcium, which are derived from the dissolving of limestone, gypsum and anhydrite. The average value of the chemical denudation was 0.35 t km -2 d -1 and the mechanical denudation 0.32 t km -2 d -1 . The results are similar to those obtained in previous years, reflecting the relatively large stability of the polar environment.

Abstract:Geodiversity is an important characteristic of Earth surface. Geodiversity is meaning the diversification of Earth surface in the scope of geology, terrain relief, soils, climate, surface and underground water, taking into consideration modifying anthropogenic activity (Kostrzewski 1986(Kostrzewski , 1993(Kostrzewski , 1997(Kostrzewski , 1998(Kostrzewski , 2001). The program of geodiversity protection and preservation include the assessment of studied spatial unit (geoecosystem) actual geodiversity state, on the base of detailed knowledge of geographical environment and the stage of its evolution. In terrain relief geodiversity, young and old -restited forms, very often exhumed, are taken into consideration, that are giving the relief of studied area special meaning and appearance. Thematic maps (e.g. of terrain relief geodiversity, soils, surface water and complex maps e.g. landscape) are the cartographic presentation of geodiversity. Geodiversity studies should be included in geomorphological research priorities, that is very important from substantive and practical point of view.