Contemporary changes in the relief of raised bogs on the example of the Polish Carpathians

Abstract

The subject of this paper is the problem of anthropogenic changes in the relief of raised bogs in mountain areas. This problem has not received a great deal of attention in the research literature. All peat bogs in the Polish part of the Orawa – Nowy Targ Basin and the Bieszczady Mountains were analysed. Special attention was paid to the remnants of peat domes and post-peat areas and the scarps separating them. This paper is based on an analysis of maps produced over the last 230 years as well as aerial photographs. Field data were also analysed as part of this research. Six phases in the development of scarps were identified. The rate of relief change was estimated and the role of exposure was assessed. Attention was paid to changes in the relief of post-peat areas that are occurring because retention ponds and drainage ditches have become more shallow due to beaver activity and the results of stream channel regulation. Special attention was also paid to the geomorphological aspects of the restoration of post-peat areas.