Hazards and landscape changes (degradations) on Hungarian karst mountains due to natural and human effects

Abstract

In order to study the karstological processes within the karst ecological system, the geohazards and degradation of karst landscapes on the karst areas of the Bakony mountains (Hungary), we investigated the abiotic elements of the environment, soil and cover deposits, erosion soil decay; the changes in the quantity and quality of karst waters: contamination at swallow holes, contamination of karst springs; and the biogenic factors: surface vegetation coverage by the corine land cover method, plant-ecological examinations, qualification of surface waters with the help of biological water labeling. We recognized that t he increasing human activities during the past few centuries have had significant impact on the investigated landscapes of karst areas because of their spatial sensitivity. In the scope of our research we concluded that the landscape changes due to natural and human effects can vary strongly on the different karst areas. These differences can arise from the climatic and geomorphologic situation, the cover-layer’s qualities, etc., but primarily from the different utilization of the investigated karst areas (e.g. the intensity, characteristics and territorial extension of utilization). On the spot investigation we detected traces of new and fast geomorphological processes (gully formation, landslides, collapses, new sinkhole development) and landforms (sinkholes, gullies, swallow holes), which are clear evidences of the effect of climatic changes.