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The aim of this study is to assess the impact of biotic and abiotic factors on peatland formation in the Central Sudetes (central Europe) during the late Holocene. The research methodology adopted allowed us to determine whether vegetation development and shallow peatland formation were affected by human activity. Knowledge of past changes might be useful in evaluating recent and future changes, and to avoid pitfalls in the present management of peatland ecosystems. A palaeoecological research study of four peatlands was conducted in the Stołowe Mountains (Central Sudetes, SW Poland). The results showed that these shallow peatlands originated in the middle to late Holocene (from 3301 BC to AD 1137). Palaeoecological records reflect continuous human impact on vegetation development and peat accumulation from the Middle Ages to the present (late Holocene). The strongest agrarian settler activity is observed in the High Middle Ages (AD 1200–1500). The human‐induced or wildfires observed in the late Holocene were an integral component of peatland ecosystems in the Central Sudetes. Moreover, palaeoecological analysis (sphagnum spores decline) and radiocarbon dating (AD 1870) confirmed drainage of the study area in the 19th century, which greatly affected the vegetation communities.

The objective of this study was to analyse the dynamics of the Alnus and Corylus pollen seasons in Poland with reference to spatial and seasonal differentiation. Aerobiological monitoring was performed in 10 cities, in 1994-2007. Five characteristics defining the pollen season were considered: 1. beginning and end dates of the season phases (5, 25, 50, 75, 95% of annual totals), 2. pollen season duration (90% method), 3. skewness and 4. kurtosis of airborne pollen curves, and 5. annual pollen totals. The beginning of the Corylus pollen season in Warsaw started on the 53rd day of a year. The Alnus pollen season started 9.5 days (SE = 1.4) later. The start of the season for both taxa was delayed by 3.3 (SE = 0.5) days for each 100 km towards the east. The Corylus pollen season lasted about 15 days longer than the Alnus season. Season duration for both taxa decreased towards the east by 3.5 days (SE = 0.7) and towards the north by 1.3 days (SE = 0.6) for each 100 km. Seasonal dynamics of both taxa are skewed to the right. In cities located west of Warsaw the dynamics are more skewed (except at Szczecin, Wroclaw). Asymmetry decreases towards the east by 0.16/100 km. Almost all kurtosis values of pollen-season dynamics were positive and higher for Alnus. Kurtosis values for both taxa increase together with delay of the pollen season beginning by 4% per day (p \ 0.0001). Mean pollen total increases: for Corylus mainly towards the north (by 64%/100 km), for Alnus mainly towards the west (by 15%/100 km). Geographical location (longitude and latitude) determines: the start and duration of the pollen season, skewness of the pollen curve, and annual totals.

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