Changes to the environment of intramontane basins in the light of malacological research of calcareous tufa: Podhale Basin (Carpathians, Southern Poland)

Acta Geologica Polonica

2015

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ABSTRACT:Alexandrowicz, W.P. 2015. The application of malacological analysis in the study of slope deposits: late Pleistocene and Holocene of the Podhale Basin (Carpathians, Poland). Acta Geologica Polonica, 65 (2), 247-263. Warszawa.Slope deposits developed on calcareous sandstone and limestone formations in the eastern part of the Podhale Basin (Carpathians) were studied. In total, the analysis included fifteen profiles of such sediments, which revealed the presence of abundant malacofaunas comprising 39 mollusc species. Five faunistic assemblages differing in species composition and structure were defined in the material studied. Individual assemblages correspond to different climatic and environmental conditions, thereby making it possible to interpret the features of the sedimentary environments and specify the age of the deposits. Faunas with Pupilla loessica and Pupilla sterri containing species typical of loess formations are characteristic of deposits from the coldest phase of the last Glacial period (MIS 2). A fauna with Vertigo genesii, with a large proportion of cold-loving and moisture-loving taxa, is typical of the Younger Dryas. Associations that are dominated by shade-loving species, with Discus ruderatus and Discus perspectivus, correspond to the early and middle Holocene respectively. The investigations show that malacological analysis can be successfully applied to the research into slope deposits, enabling both the depositional conditions and the age of the sediments to be determined.

Section: Molluscan Assemblagesmentioning

confidence: 61%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 76%

The application of malacological analysis in the study of slope deposits: late Pleistocene and Holocene of the Podhale Basin (Carpathians, Poland)

Acta Geologica Polonica

2015

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“…Alexandrowicz & Rybska 2013, W.P. Alexandrowicz et al 2014) and also in profiles in the Orawa peat bogs (Obidowicz 1991). In the tufas of the Ociemny Stream, no anthropogenic deforestation, whose principal phase in the area falls in the period of intensified settlement activity in the Middle Ages, is pronounced (W.P.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Alexandrowicz 2013a, 2014, W.P. Alexandrowicz et al 2014Alexandrowicz et al , 2016. It may perhaps be linked to the shape of the stream valley.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Malacofauna of the Holocene tufa in the valley of the Ociemny Stream (Pieniny Mts., southern Poland)

2017

geol

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A rich molluscan fauna was found in the outcrop of slope sediments and calcareous tufas in the valley of the Ociemny Stream in the Pieniny Mts. The malacological sequence identified there represents the entire Holocene, but it contains several stratigraphical gaps. From this viewpoint, it is a unique finding within the area studied. In nine samples, 11,000 specimens of 71 species of molluscs were identified. The ecological and zoogeographical diversity of the composition and structure enabled the separation of three faunistic assemblages. The oldest assemblage (with Discus ruderatus) corresponds with the cold period of the Early Holocene and represents shadowed habitats overgrown with the coniferous forests of the taiga type. Its characteristic feature is the presence of glacial relics (e.g. Vertigo genesii and Vertigo geyeri). The other younger fauna (with Discus perspectivus) is typical of the humid and warm climate of the Atlantic Phase. It is characteristic of the habitats of mixed and deciduous forests. Numerous Balkan and Mediterranean thermophilous forms appear in this assemblage. The youngest malacoenosis (with Bithynella austriaca) is typical for the historical times. The particular intervals containing molluscan fauna are separated by gaps corresponding to the erosion phases. Because of the land relief in the valley of the Ociemny Stream, which is not conducive to the development of human economy, no marked anthropogenic deforestation occurs.

“…The lithological characteristics of sandstones producing rock forms and the sedimentation properties showing the variety of bedding and erosional washing out of debris flows are clearly patterned on the rock wall due to the processes of selective weathering. The effects of contemporary transformations of the rock surfaces in the form of weathering crusts securing them periodically and their various stages of exfoliation are also evident (Alexandrowicz et al 2014a) (Fig. 5a).…”

Section: Rocky Landformsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Conservation of the Natura 2000 Areas in the Context of Environmental Changes in Past and Present: a Case from the Polish Carpathians Geoheritage

Buczek

2018

Geoheritage

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The Ecological Network Natura 2000 project has been implemented in Poland since 2004, based on the Act on Nature Conservation. The Natura 2000 areas are often distinguished by particular values of the geological heritage, and sometimes also of cultural heritage. According to the premises of the programme, natural habitat should be identified by the conditions of occurrence and mutual relationships between the abiotic and biotic elements. Despite this assumption, in many cases, their valuation and description of the abiotic features is too cursory, and sometimes, it is even lacking. The valley of the Tarnawka River in the Polish Carpathians is the selected example of a Natura 2000 area. The presented characteristic of this area constitutes a supplement to its importance in the field of geological and cultural heritage. Also documented was the history of causes and changes of the natural environment dating back to the early Middle Ages. The physiographic characteristic of the area and the results of analysing the past transformations of its environment provide very rich material. It should be useful and used not only to supplement the importance of the area but also to conduct the comparative evaluation of the current and potential changes and threats caused by natural processes but, above all, by human activities.