Semi-natural landscapes of the Western Beskidy Mts
1999
Kozak, J. | Troli, M. | Widacki, W. (Jagellonian Univ. Krakow, (Poland). Institute of Geography)
The landscape of summit plains of the Beskidy Mts, North-western part of the Polish Carpathians, has been shaped for several centuries by processes of deforestration and reforestration. In the past, deforestration occured in relation to the sheppherding activities carried on the summit plains; at present it is a consequence of environmental degradation caused by industrial pollution. As a result pastures, meadows, and post-degradation deforested patches appeared in a relatively homogeneous mountain forest. These landscape have not been observed before in the Polish Karpaty Mts. Old alpine meadows covered with lushy vegetation form in the conscious of people an important seminatural element of summit landscapes. Man attempts to preserve them in spite of natural succession. In the same time, post-degradation patches are reforested. However, both forest-free landscape share similar values. Present-day post-degradation patches resemle to some extent alpine meadows from before several hundred years. They increase local biodiversity and landscape aesthetic value
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