Beskydy Mountains Research Articles

On the new book We Are Connected by the Beskydy Mountains

On the new book We Are Connected by the Beskydy Mountains

Русинский «Робин Гуд» - Андрей Савка

This article is devoted to Andrij Savka, a famous Rusin (Lemko) garnas - the leader of the Beskidniks (opryshki) robber detachment, a well-known leader of the insurrectionary and people's liberation movement in southern Poland and a hero of Eastern European folklore from Dukla (Poland). This valuable collection of little-known biographical information about this iconic figure focuses on the reasons why Savka became a robber, organized his own gang (Bursa) in the Beskydy Mountains and subsequently joined the Podhale Peasant Uprising of 1651 with his illustrious squad under the leadership of the Polish officer Aleksander Leon Kostka-Napierski. The main reason was the strong feudal oppression by the local Polish gentry, which forced the Rusin peasants to defend their interests, rights, and freedoms with deadly force, to fight against national and religious discrimination, serfdom, and oppression. The author emphasizes that Savka acted not in his personal and selfish interests, but out of a desire to help the commons. He distributed the property seized from magnates, landlords, and priests to poor Rusin peasants, for which he was dubbed as “Lemko Robin Hood”. The article thoroughly examines the significant role played by Savka and other famous Lemko rebels - Vasil Bayus and Vasil Chepets - in the people's liberation struggle that unfolded in Lesser Poland, Galicia and Subcarpathia and was supported by Hetman Bohdan Khmelnytsky and his associates. The author highlights the reasons why the Podhale Peasant Uprising of 1651 failed, with its leaders captured and put to death. He concludes that Savka played a progressive role in the history of the Rusins, in which he epitomizes courage and determination in the struggle for freedom and justice.

Radiocaesium Contamination of Mushrooms at High- and Low-Level Chernobyl Exposure Sites and Its Consequences for Public Health.

We compare the specific activities of Cs and K in stipes and caps of three different common mushroom species (Xerocomus badius, Russula ochroleuca and Armillariella mellea) measured at the Czech Chernobyl hot spot in the Opava area (Silesia) and at a low-exposed site at the Beskydy mountains in 2011. The highest values of Cs were found in caps of Xerocomus badius and Russula ochroleuca in the Opava area ( and kBq/kg, respectively). The source of Cs was verified by the measurement of the Cs/Cs ratio. Based on our results, we estimate an effective dose per year due to radiocaesium intake in the two investigated areas for Xerocomus badius, one of the most popular edible mushrooms in the Czech Republic. In 2011, the effective dose reached the maximum value of 0.102 mSv in the Opava area and 0.004 mSv at the low-exposed site at the Beskydy mountains. Therefore, it does not represent a significant risk for public health.

Sources of Magnetic Particles from Air Pollution in Mountainous Area

Measurement of magnetic susceptibility of topsoil represents a very useful tool for the detection of atmospherically depositedmagnetic particles. The samples of forest soils from the Moravian-Silesian Beskydy Mountains (the Czech Republic) were used foridentification of emissions sources of particles with magnetic ordering. Magnetic susceptibility was measured at bulk samples ofgrain size class under 2 mm. Microanalysis using electron microscope with an energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer was used forthe determination of particles in the magnetic fraction. The samples of dust from the sintering plant of the Iron Works in the townof Třinec were analysed. The values of magnetic susceptibility of forest soils in the Třinec region are increased. In the relatively nearvicinity of the industrial area, the average value for Javorový Mount was 7.90×10-6 m3/kg, for Ostrý Mount it was 6.69×10-6 m3/kg. It was proved that they were higher than the average values from the Beskydy Mountains (4.64×10-6 m3/kg). The concentrationsof lead and magnetic susceptibility in soils showed significant correlation dependence (rs = 0.85). The iron and steel industryrepresent the primary source of the pollution load in forest soils of the studied area. Statistically, significant dependences betweenthe organic matter content and the lead and zinc concentrations as well as between the magnetic susceptibility values and the ironconcentrations in forest soils were found. It was confirmed that the airborne particles are deposited on vegetation and accumulatedin the organic horizon of forest soils.

Holocene fluvial terraces reveal landscape changes in the headwater streams of the Moravskoslezské Beskydy Mountains, Czechia

Fluvial terraces of headwater streams in mountainous forested areas provide important insight into the development of sensitive fluvial system in response to natural and anthropogenic changes. Usually they are poorly investigated because of incomplete preservation and difficulties with mapping caused by dense canopy cover. We utilized new high-resolution LiDAR data, field mapping, sedimentological analysis, pollen analysis and radiocarbon dating to reconstruct the evolution of fluvial terraces in seven headwater catchments located in the highest parts of Moravskoslezské Beskydy mountains (Western Carpathians, Czechia). In these catchments, we identified three Holocene river terraces set within older alluvial deposits or flysch bedrock. The oldest (TH) terrace has a minimum age of the onset of accumulation of ~9 ka, the minimum age of the middle (TM) terrace is ~4.4 ka, and that of the lowest (TL) terrace is ~0.7 ka. The formation of the TH and TM terraces was controlled by climatic deterioration during the Subboreal (~4.3 ka) and Subboreal/Subatlantic transitions (~2.9–2.6 ka), respectively. The lowest TL terrace is dominated by <500-year-old fine-grained overbank deposits, which we interpret as legacy sediments due to deforestation and shepherd activity during the so-called Wallachian colonization of the study area. Our study reveals peculiarities in the development of the river terraces of small mountainous forested sub-catchments: (i) the limited preservation of pre-Holocene river terraces, (ii) sensitivity to extreme climatic events, and (iii) the decisive role of combined effects of climate change and grazing and forest management in sediment delivery during the last several centuries.

A high proportion of norway spruce in mixed stands increases probability of stand failure

Abstract The decline of pure spruce forests in the Beskydy Mountains in the Czech Republic and Slovakia is mainly driven by bark beetle attacks and storm events. Salvage-harvest records based on timber volume on the forest-stand level document the extent of stand failure processed by salvage logging. On the basis of these records, the stand failure proportion was expressed as the proportion of timber volume processed by salvage harvest divided by the standing timber volume over a period of 10 years (sf). Two null hypotheses to be tested are that sf is not influenced by (H1) the size of trees expressed by mean stand age (age) or alternatively by mean stand diameter (dbh); and (H2) the volume proportion of spruce within the stand (spp). The dataset was evaluated as a total and separately for the three site types, each for spruce, beech, fir, larch, pine, and other broadleaved species. The dataset was analysed using a binary logistic regression. The sf increased with age, dbh, and the spp. Pure spruce stands with high age and high dbh on mountain sites are associated with the highest sf. However, a slight admixture of 25% tree species other than spruce was shown to stabilise the stands significantly. Species other than spruce in a minor admixture to spruce stands were destabilised by the breakdown of spruce stands. For a realistic financial evaluation of forest-stand management, managers should consider the risk of stand failure, and reduce the risk by increasing species admixture in the spruce forest stands.

Růst turistické atraktivity obcí v Beskydech: Případová studie horské obce Bílá, Česko

The article assesses the changes in the tourist attractiveness of a mountain village in the border area of the Beskydy Mountains in relation to the development of tourism. The objective is to identify the impacts of tourism in the region of interest based on analyses of tourist infrastructure, innovations of the holiday resort portfolios, and development of new services in the municipality of Bílá, where a series of development projectsfocusing on tourism has been implemented in the past few years. The methods of questionnaire surveys and interviews with municipality representatives and other key local stakeholders were used to assess the social and economic contributions of tourism and other effects of the increased number of resort visitors for the municipality. The substantial investments into tourism infrastructure innovations have brought a lot of positive effects to the municipality. Some of the key effects include significant increase in job opportunities, positive demographic changes etc. The character of the municipality, which used to be peripheral with migration loss of population, has changed in the last decade as a result of the triple increase in the number of visitors and tourism intensity. The number of jobs in Bílá has increased, particularly in various fields of services related to tourism, which led to increase in commuting to Bílá. Tourism has increased revenues to the municipal budget by eighty times in the last two decades, coming from the fees for recreational stays and accommodation fees, as well as from the lease of real estate. The municipality has substantially changed its image in relation to the dynamic development of tourism and investments into sports and leisure infrastructure, as well as to the development of various events and other activities. Also, Bílá is becoming attractive in relation to business opportunities and is one of the unique mountain villages with a significant potential for development within the peripheral border regions of the Czech Republic.

Analysis of fatty acid profile in milk fat of Wallachian sheep during lactation.

In this Research Communication we evaluate the fatty acid (FA) profile of Wallachian sheep milk. The study was performed on 38 ewes in Beskydy Mountains. Samples were collected 4 times during the lactation, at monthly intervals. FA profile as well as groups of saturated, monounsaturated (MUFA), and polyunsaturated (PUFA) FAs were investigated. Considerable increase over the lactation was detected for lauric, myristic, myristoleic and palmitic acids, while stearic acid showed the opposed tendency. Variability, supported by significant differences among particular days of milk collection, was demonstrated for oleic acid; its highest distribution occurred at the beginning and at the end of the trial. The highest distribution of CLA was at the second sample day. Milk of Wallachian sheep naturally grazed at permanent pasture areas showed higher content of PUFA and MUFA in contrast with intensive or semi-intensive sheep breeds reported in the literature.

Northern Fulmar (Fulmarus glacialis) in the Beskydy Mountains according to Jan Prášek

Abstract In the Beskydy Mountains (Lachia area, 49°25′/20°15′), Northern Fulmar (Fulmarus glacialis) was caught of spring, probably before the school year 1902-03, probably in Nižní Lhoty in Silesia. The record of this specimen without any information in a school in Opava and an incomplete report of J. Vrbka about “Common Fulmar” in the Olomouc region (probably European Storm Petrel, Hydrobates pelagicus) do not exclude occasional flights of Tubenoses into the inland Silesia and central Moravia in the past.

Environmental impact of a large-scale chemical elimination of Reynoutria spp. on the alluvium of the Morávka river – examination of vegetation changes in floodplain forests

An invasion of non-native plant species represents the most serious environmental problem threatening the biodiversity and changing the nature of the landscape. A chemical elimination is one of the methods used to fight neophytes. It was carried out in the study area of the Moravka River flowing beneath the Beskydy Mountains between 2007 and 2010. The elimination of Reynoutria spp. was implemented as a part of the ‘Preservation of alluvial forest habitats in the Moravka River basin’ project. The population of the invasive neophyte Reynoutria spp. was eliminated by using a combination of mechanical and chemical treatment. Roundup Biaktiv herbicide was used for the chemical elimination. We investigated the consequences of the areal chemical elimination of Reynoutria spp. on the herbaceous undergrowth of the forest of the alluvium of the Moravka River. A multivariate analysis was employed to examine responses of the spring herbaceous plant species and native and non-native summer plant species composition to the chemical treatment. The hypothesis that consequences of the chemical elimination are not reflected in the spring plant species composition, whereas the applications of the herbicide and their frequency is one of crucial factors for the variability of the summer plant species composition was confirmed. The chemical elimination affected plant species composition of the non-native plant species more significantly than the plant species composition of the native plant species. A higher frequency of herbicide application caused increased diversity of both native and non-native plant species, although more noticeably in the case of the latter ones.

Nonstructural carbohydrate-balance response to long-term elevated CO2 exposure in European beech and Norway spruce mixed cultures: biochemical and ultrastructural responses

Two dominant central European tree species (Fagus sylvatica L. and Picea abies (L.) Karst.), in a mixed culture in semi-open glass domes, were used to simulate the reaction of forests to long-term elevated CO2 (EC) in a mountainous area (Beskydy Mountains, the Czech Republic). We investigated the effects of EC on soluble carbohydrate levels and composition. Starch content was evaluated using two methods: biochemical (glucose content after enzymatic hydrolysis) and stereological (starch grain proportion, size, and number in chloroplasts). In beech and spruce foliage, no significant changes in total soluble carbohydrate levels were observed. In spruce, starch content determined biochemically increased under EC, whereas no changes were detected in beech. The starch content determined stereologically increased only in beech. In spruce, EC exposure caused comparable starch increases in current-year and previous-year needles, although the former had a higher starch content and numerous larger starch grains regardless of CO2 concentration. In both species, the biochemical determination of carbohydrates exhibited greater individual tree uniformity, in contrast to large intraspecies variability. No changes in leaf soluble carbohydrates under long-term elevated CO2 demonstrate the ability of the studied tree species to efficiently allocate the photosynthates among the sinks. Thus, no photosynthetic downregulation via carbohydrate-level signalling can be expected.

Trans-Boundary Edge Effects in the Western Carpathians: The Influence of Hunting on Large Carnivore Occupancy.

The conservation and management of wolves Canis lupus in the periphery of their distribution is challenging. Edges of wolf distribution are characterized by very few and intermittent occurrences of individuals, which are modulated by multiple factors affecting the overall population such as human-caused mortality, management targets and food availability. The knowledge of population dynamics in the edges becomes crucial when hunting takes place nearby the edges, which may preclude population expansion. Here, using as example the occurrence of wolves in the Beskydy Mountains (Czech-Slovak border), which are the edge distribution of the wolf and Eurasian lynx Lynx lynx populations in the West Carpathians, we explored how food availability and hunting in the Slovakian core area affected the dynamics of wolves in the edges of this population. During 2003–2012, we monitored large carnivore occurrence by snow-tracking surveys and tested potential differences in the occurrence of these species in Beskydy Mountains and potential mechanisms behind detected patterns. Despite the proximity to the core area, with several wolf reproductions being confirmed at least in recent years, the wolf was a very rare species in Beskydy and was recorded 14 times less often than the lynx. The expected abundance of wolves in the Beskydy Mountains was inversely related to prey availability in the Slovakian core area. Wolf hunting the year before influenced the expected abundance of wolves in Beskydy area. We discuss how different life histories and legal status of both species probably account for most of the observed difference of occurrence at range margins.

Geophysical anatomy of counter-slope scarps in sedimentary flysch rocks (Outer Western Carpathians)

A multidisciplinary geophysical survey, consisting of electrical resistivity tomography (ERT), ground penetrating radar (GPR), shallow seismic refraction (SSR) and gravity survey (GS), was used to investigate the counter-slope scarps, one of the typical manifestations of the relaxed zones of rock massifs, and the possible initial stages of deep-seated landslides (DSLs). Two upper parts of the extensive DSLs within the Moravskoslezské Beskydy Mountains (Outer Western Carpathians – OWC) built by the sedimentary flysch rock were chosen as the testing sites. A combined geophysical survey on the flysch rocks was performed on both localities to enhance our present findings. The survey revealed that the ERT is able to reliably detect underground discontinuities, which are manifested at the ground surface by one of the typical landforms (tension cracks, trenches, pseudokarst sinkholes, double-crested ridges and counter-slope scarps). Previous studies suggested that bedrock discontinuities should be depicted by high-resistivity features within ERT surveying. According to SSR and GS, expected zones of weakened rock massif were not confirmed directly underneath the superficial landforms, but they were shifted. Based on the SSR and GS measurements, the depicted high-contrast transitions between high- and low-resistivity domains within the ERT profiles were newly identified as possible manifestation of bedrock discontinuities. The results of GPR measurements give only limited information on the sedimentary flysch rocks, due to shallow penetrating depth and locally strong signal attenuation. The combined results of multidisciplinary geophysical surveying confirmed an importance of employing more than one geophysical technique for integrated interpretations of measured data. Integrated interpretations of the measured geophysical data provided a new insight into massif disintegration and the geomorphic origin of the landforms related to the DSL.

Biogeomorphological effects of leaf accumulations in stepped-bed channels: Exploratory study, Moravskoslezské Beskydy Mountains, Czech Republic

Abstract The stepped-bed system, with a step-like longitudinal profile, is typical morphology in steep headwater streams. These systems are created by a series of coarse sediments or instream wood (steps with supercritical flows) interspaced with finer material (forming pools with subcritical flows). In the case of well-developed steps and pools, the resulting channel-reach morphology is referred to as “step-pool” morphology. In this study, we identify a previously undescribed type of step-pool formation, the “foliaged step-pool”, in the high-gradient Stoligy Stream of the Moravskoslezské Beskydy Mountains. The defining feature of this formation is the significant presence of leaves in the step structure. The geometry of the steps and pools was measured and the parameters that characterise the distribution, amount and function of leaves acting in these areas were defined. Statistical results showed differences between non-foliaged and foliaged step-pool formations, in which the latter showed a significant increase in storage level, influencing the channel’s hydrodynamics. Particle-size analyses demonstrated that foliaged step-pool formations had finer sediment in the pools, which indicates that there are differences in sediment transport processes between foliaged and non-foliaged formations. These results offer new insights into stepped-bed and step-pool morphology, providing directions for further research on small streams in deciduous forested regions.

The Upper Cretaceous Ostravice Sandstone in the Polish sector of the Silesian Nappe, Outer Western Carpathians

AbstractThe Ostravice Sandstone Member was identified and described as a lithostratigraphic unit in the Polish part of the Outer Carpathians. This division occurs in the lowermost part of the Godula Formation, is underlain by variegated deposits of the Mazák Formation or directly by the Barnasiówka and Lhoty formations, and overlain by the Czernichów Member of the Godula Formation. Domination by thick- and very thick-bedded sandstones, conglomeratic sandstones and conglomerates rich in calcareous clasts, mostly of the Štramberk-type limestones, is typical for the Ostravice Sandstone Member. These deposits are widespread between the Moravskoslezské Beskydy Mountains in the Czech Republic and the Ciężkowice Foothills in Poland. The documentation of the Ostravice Sandstone Member occurrence as well as the petrological, sedimentological features, and inventory of the carbonate clasts are presented here.

Šlichová prospekce na lokalitách spojených s údajnou historickou těžbou drahých kovů v Moravskoslezských Beskydech

Šlichová prospekce na lokalitách spojených s údajnou historickou těžbou drahých kovů v Moravskoslezských Beskydech

Ecotoxicological Assessment of Soils Formed by Weathering of Igneous Rocks of Teschenite-Picrite Association (Beskydy Mountains, Czech Republic)

Increased concentrations of trace elements in rocks of teschenite-picrite association should also be reflected in the soils developed on these rocks. An addition of biochar to contaminated soils can be effective in decreasing of inorganic contaminants. The threshold of geochemical anomaly for soils overlying the teschenite association and the influence of chromium (Cr) concentration on its mobility after biochar amendment using F. candida as testing organism were determined. The inhibition was not demonstrated in the tested soil with a concentration of Cr at 400 mg Cr/kg. High concentrations of Cr in soils were associated with the presence of chromspinel, which is resistant to the weathering processes. A significant stimulatory effect was found after the addition of biochar made of wood in the sample with 10% of PL (p = 0.0402) amendment and the sample with 5 % of AC (p = 0.0229) amendment.

Sheep and wolves: Is the occurrence of large predators a limiting factor for sheep grazing in the Czech Carpathians?

Extensive sheep grazing in the West Carpathians is a very important management tool for the protection of the traditional landscape character of the Central European countryside, as well as providing biologically valuable habitats of pastures and meadows. In this paper we describe the main characteristics of sheep farming in the Beskydy region and test the hypothesis that large carnivores are a limiting factor for sheep grazing management of landscapes in this region, the only area of the Czech Republic where all three species of large European carnivores – the Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx), grey wolf (Canis lupus) and brown bear (Ursus arctos) – occur. Data obtained from the monitoring of large carnivores and a questionnaire-based survey of the perspective of sheep farmers in the Beskydy region were analysed. Although the lynx is the most abundant large predator within the study area, the highest number of attacks on sheep was attributed to wolves. However, the annual frequency of attacks was very low and, moreover, an important number of the attacks could have been committed by dogs rather than wolves. From the perspective of sheep breeders, the major economic factor is a low consumer demand for sheep products, and not the presence of large carnivores. However farmers expressed a view that some level of safeguarding was needed and this should come in the form of financial compensation for damage resulting from attacks on sheep by large predators and a modification of the current system of agricultural subsidies. Subsidies for sheep breeders should respect the regional specifics including the risk arising from the presence of large carnivores and provide support for active measures to protect the livestock against them. Regarding the protection of populations of large carnivores in the Beskydy Mountains, it will be necessary to continue to monitor their presence.

Structure and diversity of small mammal communities of mountain forests in Western Carpathians

We sampled the small mammal (SM) community in mountain forest ecosystems of the Beskydy Mountains over 5 years in order to study associations with different types of forest habitat. Fourteen species were determined, three being eudominant (yellow-necked mouse—Apodemus flavicollis (45 %), bank vole—Clethrionomys glareolus (23.3 %) and field vole—Microtus agrestis (15.7 %) and one dominant common shrew—Sorex araneus (9.3 %)). Highest abundance was observed in young succession sites (plantations) with dicotyledonous plants dominant (>50 %) in the undergrowth. Highest diversity was observed in plantations and primeval forests. Lowest total abundance and diversity were observed in mature monocultures. Significant differences in diversity were only found between old monocultures and other sites. Using a faunistic similarity index, two basic SM community groups were determined: those inhabiting (1) early (plantation) and late (reserve) successional forest ecosystems with a dense dicotyledonous plant herb layer, and (2) plantations with a dense grass herb layer and forests with a dense canopy closure (fruiting monoculture). Redundancy analysis confirmed separate habitat preferences of the three eudominant species. Generalised linear model indicated increasing preference of field vole for plantations with dominance of grass and 10–15 %, and increasing preference of bank vole for plantations with a dicotyledonous plant ratio of >10–15 %. The biotopes monitored proved suitable for long-term survival of the dominant SM species. Early successional plantations and forest reserves also represent important refuges for a number of rarer SM species presently under threat.

Bird species richness and abundance in riparian vegetation invaded by exotic Reynoutria spp.

Impacts of invasive alien plant species are threatening biodiversity worldwide and thus it is important to assess their effects on particular groups of organisms. However, such impacts were studied mostly in case of plant or invertebrate communities and our understanding the response of vertebrate species to plant invasions remains incomplete. To improve our knowledge in this respect, we studied bird communities in riparian vegetation along the rivers with different levels of Reynoutria spp. invasion in the Czech Republic. These findings will be interesting for basic ecology enhancing our knowledge of consequences of plant invasions, as well as for conservation practice. We surveyed understory bird species in 26 vegetation blocks along parts of three rivers running from the Beskydy Mountains in spring 2011. We used principal component analysis to assess vegetation structure of particular blocks and the first axis ordinated the blocks according to the degree of invasion by Reynoutria spp. Using generalized linear mixed-effects models we found that counts of Motacilla cinerea, Cinclus cinclus and Sylvia borin, as well as the total bird species richness, significantly decreased with increasing degree of Reynoutria spp. invasion, while Acrocephalus palustris showed the opposite pattern. These results suggest that Reynoutria spp. impacts negatively on the species strictly bond with river banks and habitats specialists, whereas habitat generalist species like Sylvia atricapilla were not affected. Preference of Acrocephalus palustris for Reynoutria spp. corroborates affinity of this species to large invasive herbs observed also in other studies. Our study showed that Reynoutria spp. invasion can reduce species richness of understory birds in riparian communities. Although the distribution of this plant species is still quite limited in central Europe, our results suggest that its more widespread occurrence could potentially threat some river bank bird species. Therefore, we urge for development of management actions that will act counter the Reynoutria spp. invasion.