High Tatra Research Articles

Taxonomic notes on the genus Chaetocladius (laminatus-group) (Diptera: Chironomidae, Orthocladiinae) II. Descriptions of C. bitusiki sp. n. and C. mantetensis sp. n., two relict species inhabiting cold alpine springs and streams

Two new species of the genus Chaetocladius s. str. (C. bitusiki sp. n. and C. mantetensis sp. n.) are diagnosed and described based on material collected in some cold springs and small streams located at high altitude (1940–2300 m) in the High Tatra Mountains (Slovakia) and Eastern Pyrenees (France). The first one is described as male adult and pupal exuviae, while the second is described as male and female adults and pupal exuviae. Both C. bitusiki sp. n. and C. mantetensis sp. n. key to the laminatus-group for known Chaetocladius species on the basis of some characters found in the male adult: virga composed of three typical parts, inferior volsella sub-triangular to sub-circular, narrow to broad lobe, bearing or lacking a posterior marsupial-like pouch and an apical contrasting protuberance; gonostylus triangular, projecting posteriorly as a pointed or rounded apex. Taxonomic remarks on related Chaetocladius species, key to known male adults of the laminatus-group from Europe with comments on the ecology and geographical distribution of the new species are given. The two new species can be regarded as typical relict representatives of cold springs and streams at high altitudes. Such species could be used as relevant biological indicators of the global warming and local climate change.

Methodological Contribution in the Field of Mountain Leisure Activities Practicing Case Study: Scrambling in High Tatras

Methodological Contribution in the Field of Mountain Leisure Activities Practicing Case Study: Scrambling in High Tatras

Detecting Similarity in Flood Seasonality of Slovak and Austrian Catchments

The main aim of the study is the flood seasonality of Slovak and Austrian catchments in the 50-year period of 1961-2010. Flood seasonality analyses have become interesting topics for many authors worldwide. In the context of flood seasonality, the dates of annual maximum floods at 556 gauging stations across Austria (475) and Slovakia (81) were analyzed. The length of the time series of the selected gauging stations is variable, ranging from 30-50 years. We have focused on an investigation of the relationship between flood seasonality characteristic -r (the concentration of a flood around the mean date of a flood occurrence), the hydrological characteristics (long-term average air temperature (°C) for the period 1961-2010, the long-term average daily precipitation (mm) for the period 1961-2010), physiographic characteristics of catchments (catchment area (km2), and the outlet elevations (m a.s.l.)). The pooling of the catchments was processed by a nonhierarchical k-means cluster analysis and boxplot analysis. The input for the k-means cluster analysis was r (the concentration of a flood around the mean date of a flood occurrence), the long-term average daily precipitation (mm) for the period 1961-2010 for the individual catchments, the catchment area (km2), and the outlet elevations (m a.s.l.). The results show that the optimal number of clusters for the selected catchments is three and that these clusters show some similar features. Cluster one is located in the High Tatras, the Alps and the High Tauern (the long-term average air temperature is between -2 ÷ 8°C; the long-term average daily precipitation is between 3-6mm); cluster two is located in the Low Tatras and the Lower Tauern (the long-term average air temperature is between 1 ÷ 10°C, the long-term average daily precipitation between 2-4mm); and cluster three is located in the lowlands of Austria and Slovakia (the long-term average air temperature is between 5 ÷ 10°C, the long-term average daily precipitation is between 1-4mm).

Building High Tatras: dilemma of form Architecture of 1960s and 1970s in the most famous Slovak mountain resort

The High Tatra Mountains are the most prominent alpine center of recreation and sport in Slovakia. The development of this site dates back to the end of the 19th century. From the architectural point of view, the beginning of the 20th century, the 1920s, the 1930s and the post-war period of the 1960s and the 1970s should be considered the most interesting periods. At that time, the most important architectural works were created in the High Tatras, which in different ways dealt with the fundamental question: how to build in the mountains? Through the built results achieved in the region, it is now possible to study the success of this discussion.

The succession of soil Collembola communities in spruce forests of the High Tatra Mountains five years after a windthrow and clear–cut logging

A study focusing on the succession of soil Collembola communities was carried out in the High Tatra Mountains (Slovakia), five years after a windthrow. Two separate areas were studied within the mountain range: a peripheral foothill area and an inland mountain valley. Each area contained three stands (sites) under different management treatments: an intact reference forest stand, a non-extracted windthrown forest stand and an extracted windthrown forest stand. The impact of windthrow and the ensuing forestry practices in both areas was still apparent after the disturbance period. The communities in the inland mountain valley were affected by windthrow more negatively in terms of abundance. However, species richness seemed to remain better preserved there than in the foothills and was unaffected by colonisation by species from the surrounding habitats. A temporary increase in species richness observed early after the disturbance disappeared, and the negative effect of clear-cutting and subsequent extraction of the fallen wood on the communities, affecting their abundance, decreased in severity over time. The impact of both logged and unlogged regimes on Collembola communities was obvious, especially in the valley. Moreover, we observed the clear response of some species to windthrow and forest practices. Several considerably abundant species, e.g. Folsomia penicula and Tetracanthella fjellbergi, were sensitive to deforestation by windthrow and clear cutting. Our study documented that Collembola can be used as an indicator mesofauna group in assessments of disturbance-induced changes in soil environments of mountain spruce forests.

Drivers of atmospheric deposition of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons at European high-altitude sites

Abstract. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were analysed in bulk atmospheric deposition samples collected at four European high-mountain areas, Gossenköllesee (Tyrolean Alps), Redon (Central Pyrenees), Skalnate Pleso (High Tatra Mountains), and Lochnagar (Grampian Mountains) between 2004 and 2006. Sample collection was performed monthly in the first three sites and biweekly in Lochnagar. The number of sites, period of study and sampling frequency provide the most comprehensive description of PAH fallout in high mountain areas addressed so far. The average PAH deposition fluxes in Gossenköllesee, Redon and Lochnagar ranged between 0.8 and 2.1 µg m−2 month−1, and in Skalnate Pleso it was 9.7 µg m−2 month−1, showing the influence of substantial inputs from regional emission sources. The deposited distributions of PAHs were dominated by parent phenanthrene, fluoranthene and pyrene, representing 32 %–60 % of the total. The proportion of phenanthrene, the most abundant compound, was higher at the sites of lower temperature, Gossenköllesee and Skalnate Pleso, showing higher transfer from gas phase to particles of the more volatile PAHs. The sites with lower insolation, e.g. those located at lower altitude, were those with a higher proportion of photooxidable compounds such as benz[a]anthracene. According to the data analysed, precipitation is the main driver of PAH fallout. However, when rain and snow deposition were low, particle settling also constituted an efficient driver for PAH deposition. Redon and Lochnagar were the two sites receiving the highest amounts of rain and snow and the fallout of PAH fluxes was related to this precipitation. No significant association was observed between long-range backward air trajectories and PAH deposition in Lochnagar, but in Redon PAH fallout at higher precipitation was essentially related to air masses originating from the North Atlantic, which were dominant between November and May (cold season). In these cases, particle-normalised PAH fallout was also associated with higher precipitation as these air masses were concurrent with lower temperatures, which enhanced gas to particle partitioning transfer. In the warm season (June–October), most of the air masses arriving at Redon originated from the south and particle deposition was enhanced as consequence of Saharan inputs. In these cases, particle settling was also a driver of PAH deposition despite the low overall PAH content of the Saharan particles. In Gossenköllesee, the site receiving lowest precipitation, PAH fallout was also related to particle deposition. The particle-normalised PAH fluxes were significantly negatively correlated to temperature, e.g. for air masses originating from central and eastern Europe, showing a dominant transfer from gas phase to particles at lower temperatures, which enhanced PAH fallout, mainly of the most volatile hydrocarbons. Comparison of PAH atmospheric deposition and lacustrine sedimentary fluxes showed much higher values in the latter case of 24–100 µg m−2 yr−1 vs. 120–3000 µg m−2 yr−1. A strong significant correlation was observed between these two fluxes, which is consistent with a dominant origin related to atmospheric deposition at each site.

The on field differentiation of snow avalanche- and debris flow-induced scars in trees as a fundament for improving dendrogeomorphic sampling strategy (case study from the Great Cold Valley in High Tatra Mountains)

Snow avalanches (SA) and debris flows (DF) are among the widespread geomorphic processes in high mountains. One of the most reliable method for determining their historical occurrence is related to dendrogeomorphical analyses. Sampling focused only on one process suffers from the noise caused by disturbances induced by the other process. Thus, the aim of this paper is to find specific parameters of stem scars that significantly differ when they are caused by different processes. For this purpose, six parameters of 102 sampled scars on mountain pine (Pinus mugo var. mugo) individuals growing on the polygenic debris fan in the High Tatra Mountains were recorded. For the verification of origin of scars from historically known DF and SA events, the intra-seasonal dating of callus tissue using microcuts was performed. 50 DF scars and 52 SA scars were identified and analysed. Several significant differences were identified, which serve as recommendations for a future sampling strategy. DF scars were significantly longer, wider, and occurred at lower distances above the ground in comparison with SA scars. DF scars expressed a significant negative relationship between scar length and its distance above the ground. The selection of scars with described parameters for a pointed analysis of SA or DF could help with sampling of scars caused by the analysed process.

Update on selected topics in acanthocephalan parasites research

SummaryThe respectable community of parasitologists aimed at the broad-spectral research of acanthocephalan parasites met at the 9th Acanthocephalan Workshop. The workshop took place in the beautiful surroundings of the High Tatras, Slovakia in the Congress Centre Academia, Stará Lesná near Tatranská Lomnica on September 9 – 13th. This special event was hosted by the Slovak Society for Parasitology, the Institute of Parasitology of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, Košice, Slovakia, and the Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Czech Republic. It consisted of nearly three dozen lectures presented by distinguished acanthocephalan specialists who came from 13 countries and five continents. Vibrant discussions and creating new plans for future collaborations were accompanied by local mountain touring that offered the venue richly endowed with nature, deep forests and beautiful mountains. The contributions were addressed to resolve current systematic, taxonomic, biological, behavioural, ecological, and related topics. Presented results showed the most recent progressive developments comparable with all the other parasitic worm groups. The 10th Acanthocephalan Workshop will be hosted by Dr. Marie-Jeanne Perrot-Minnot, Université de Bourgogne Franche-Comté, Dijon, Bourgogne, France, in 2022.When citing this Review, please use the following form:Authors of the cited part (2018): Title of the cited part. In: Update on selected topics in acanthocephalan parasites research. Helminthologia, 55(4): pages. DOI: 10.2478/helm-2018-0023see the example below:Amin, O.M. (2018): Variability in the Acanthocephala. In: Update on selected topics in acanthocephalan parasites research. Helminthologia, 55(4): 350 – 361. DOI: 10.2478/helm-2018-0023

Monitoring open water area changes in a small tarn using historical orthophotomaps and a historical bathymetric map: a case study of the Litworowy Staw lake, the High Tatras

According to scientific evidence in general, the disappearance of the Tatras tarns as a result of external geomorphological processes has been accepted since the long term analyses of lake sediments and peat bogs, geomorphological mapping, geophysical measurements (–all indirect methods). It is paradoxical that the direct cartographic evidence of such changes has not existed until now. In this paper, we evaluate shore line changes of the small mountain glacial lake in the High Tatras - Litworowy Staw lake using a multitemporal analysis of a series of historical orthophotomaps and a historical map. Over the last 100 years, the tarn has lost 46.4% of open water level area. Significant visual changes were caused by vegetation growth of Carex species (sedges) on the water’s surface. The accumulation of fine sediments and dead plant residues in the tarn basin create suitable conditions for this process, all together causing the tarn to become more shallow.

The Effect of Pulmonary Rehabilitation in Mountain Environment on Exercise Capacity and Quality of Life in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and Chronic Bronchitis.

BackgroundWe aimed to test the effectiveness of the pulmonary rehabilitation in a mountain environment on the pulmonary function, physical performance, dyspnea, affective factors, and quality of life (QoL) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and chronic bronchitis (CB), as well as to determine predictors of clinical improvement.Material/Methods128 consecutive patients (90 diagnosed with COPD and 38 diagnosed with CB) underwent comprehensive pulmonary rehabilitation for a duration of 3 weeks in one of 3 mountain health resorts in the High Tatras. The examination included spirometry (FEV1 and FEV1/FVC), 6-minute walk test (6MWT), Borg scale of dyspnea, and assessment of depression (Zung score), anxiety (Beck score), and QoL using the SF-36 scales.ResultsAfter the study intervention, all patients in both monitored groups demonstrated significant improvements in objective measurements in which large treatment effect was achieved (for FEV1 η2=0.218, for 6MWT η2=0.771). Similarly, in subjective measurements a large effect was achieved (for the Beck score: η2=0.599, for the Zung score: η2=0.536). QoL improved after the intervention in all the monitored SF-36 scales in both groups (P<0.001 for all). In patients with COPD, the improvement of exercise capacity was positively correlated with baseline 6MWT and FEV1, and negatively with the Beck anxiety score and the Borg dyspnea score, whereas, only improvement in the mental summary component of QoL was negatively correlated with baseline 6MWT and FEV1 (P<0.05 for all).ConclusionsRehabilitation in a mountain environment has proven to be effective in both the reported diagnoses of COPD and CB. Improvements in both functional and subjective indicators were observed. These findings support the use of this treatment modality.

The deepest Moho in the Western Carpathians and its respective crustal density model (CEL12 section)

Abstract The main aim of this study is to compile 2-D density model of the CELEBRATION 2000 profile CEL12, which is based on seismic refraction data. The profile CEL12 crosses the External Western Carpathians Flysch zone and is located in the southern part of Poland. The general feature of the resultant density model shows significant changes in the crustal thickness. The Moho depth changes in the interval from 31 km to 43 km. The interpreted 43 km crustal thickness over a 60 km section of the profile results in the discovery of an area, which represents the thickest crust in the entire West Carpathians. This area is situated ~50 km north-east from the High Tatras in Poland.

Reconstructing the Trophic History of an Alpine Lake (High Tatra Mts.) Using Subfossil Diatoms: Disentangling the Effects of Climate and Human Influence

Diatom analysis was undertaken on a 200-year sediment record in an alpine lake (Popradské pleso, Tatra Mountains, Central Europe). Due to its remote character and well-documented human influence since the mid-nineteenth century, it allows a study of the relationship between anthropogenic pressures and diatom assemblages. Altogether, 122 diatom taxa of 40 genera were identified, and two major taxonomic shifts were revealed in the stratigraphic record. The timing of the first significant shift in ~ 1850 precludes the possibility of being caused by direct human activities, since according to historic documents there was neither continuous human presence nor grazing in the valley before that time. In addition, the direct effect of organic pollution early in the 1960s connected with the operation of a tourist hotel was not clearly reflected in the diatom signal. The diatom-inferred total phosphorus (DI-TP) reconstruction indicated the highest TP content well before the most direct wastewater pollution from a newly built hotel. There was a considerable effect of climate to diatom assemblage structure as well as diatom life forms. Our results suggest that direct organic pollution influenced the diatom communities less than expected, and the main driver of change was climate warming. We hypothesize that it is because of the short residence time of the lake, since it has both strong inlet and outlet, and it has been showed that the inlet had significant effect on benthic communities in the past. At the same time, fish manipulation could have been the reason for some fluctuation in DI-TP unrelated to climate and organic pollution.

The role of environmental factors in ozone uptake of Pinus mugo Turra

Montane forests in the High Tatra Mountains are exposed to high ambient ozone (O 3 ) concentrations that may adversely affect the physiological processes and health of plants. This study presents the modelled results of the phytotoxic ozone dose (POD) for dwarf mountain pine ( P. mugo ) in 2016. POD metrics were calculated using the deposition model DO 3 SE, with O 3 concentration and meteorological data measured in three altitudinal zones. In addition, maximal stomatal conductance (G max ) derived from gasometric field measurement in local conditions was included in the model. Field measurements confirmed the robust performance of the DO 3 SE model for stomatal conductance (G sto ). The site-specific stomatal conductance response model was largely congruent with average values estimated by DO 3 SE, though differences in temporal G sto distribution were observed. We determined a moderate limitation of O 3 uptake due to environmental factors (f ENVI ) such as air temperature and relative humidity, solar radiation, and soil water availability. It appears that G max is more relevant for annual POD than f ENVI in the temperate mountain forest. The results indicate a high level of POD and O 3 uptake by P. mugo in the High Tatra Mountains, which corresponds with the O 3 -induced visible injury symptoms observed. We also identified visible O 3 injury in P. mugo needles, which was more prevalent among the two-year old needles than younger individuals.

Isotopic hydrograph separation in two small mountain catchments during multiple events

Two-component isotopic hydrograph separation (IHS) was developed to determine the event- and pre-event components of a single storm event. Its application for several sucessive events requires repeated determination of isotopic signatures of end-members (precipitation, pre-event component) for each event. The existence of several possible alternative signatures results in differences in calculated contributions of event-/pre- event components. This article addresses the question of how big the differences could be in small mountain catchments with different methods for detemining the end member signatures. We analyzed data on isotopic composition of daily/event precipitation at different elevations in two catchments located in the highest part of the Carpathians in July 2014.The isotopic composition of streamflow sampled every 4-6 hours was analyzed as well. Elevational gradients of δ18O and δ2H in precipitation in the study period were -0.18 ‰ 100 m-1 and -1.1 ‰ 100 m-1, respectively. An elevation gradient in deuterium excess (0.29 ‰ 100 m-1) was also found. Precipitation on the windward side of the mountains was isotopically lighter than expected for a given rain gauge elevation. Five large rainfall-runoff events occurred in the study period in the meso-scale catchment of the Jalovecký creek (Western Tatra Mountains, area 22.2 km2) and in the headwater catchment of the Škaredý creek (High Tatra Mountains, area 1.4 km2). Isotopic hydrograph separation was conducted using eight options for the isotopic signatures of event and pre-event water. The isotopic signature of the event water (rainfall) was alternatively represented by data from high or low elevations. Pre-event water was represented either by the streamflow before the event or by the value taken from the statistics of the long-term data on isotopic composition of the stream. Both isotopes (18O and 2H) were used to calculate event water fractions during peak flows of individual events. Calculated peak flow event water fractions were below 0.2-0.3 for most events. However, the differences in calculated event water fractions for alternative isotopic composition of end-members were significant even if we did not take into account changes in isotopic composition during individual rainfalls. Coefficients of variation for event water fractions calculated for various options varied during individual events from 0.14 to 0.36. It is therefore perhaps better to use a range of possible values instead of a single accurate number to interpret the IHS results. Hydrograph separations based on 18O and 2H provided similar results.

Ecophysiological and morphological comparison of two populations of Chlainomonas sp. (Chlorophyta) causing red snow on ice-covered lakes in the High Tatras and Austrian Alps

ABSTRACTBased on analyses of multiple molecular markers (18S rDNA, ITS1, ITS2 rDNA, rbcL), an alga that causes red snow on the melting ice cover of a high-alpine lake in the High Tatras (Slovakia) was shown to be identical with Chlainomonas sp. growing in a similar habitat in the Tyrolean Alps (Austria). Both populations consisted mostly of smooth-walled quadriflagellates. They occurred in slush, and shared similar photosynthetic performances (photoinhibition above 1300 µmol photons m–2 s–1), very high levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA, 64% and 74% respectively) and abundant astaxanthin accumulation, comparable to the red spores of Chlamydomonas nivalis (Bauer) Wille. Physiological differences between the Slovak and Austrian populations included higher levels of α-tocopherol and a 13Z-isomer of astaxanthin in the former. High accumulation of secondary pigments in the Slovak population probably reflected harsher environmental conditions, since the collection was made later in the growing season when cells were exposed to higher irradiance at the surface. Using a polyphasic approach, we compared Chlainomonas sp. with Chlamydomonas nivalis. The latter causes ʻconventionalʼ red snow, and shows high photophysiological plasticity, with high efficiency under low irradiance and no photoinhibition up to 2000 µmol photons m–2 s–1. Its PUFA content was significantly lower (50%). An annual cycle of lake-to-snow colonization by Chlainomonas sp. from slush layers deeper in the ice cover is proposed. Our results point to an ecologically highly specialized cryoflora species, whose global distribution is likely to be more widespread than previously assumed.

Last Glacial Maximum and Lateglacial in the Polish High Tatra Mountains - Revised deglaciation chronology based on the 10Be exposure age dating

Deglaciation chronology of the Polish High Tatra Mountains has been reconstructed based on 10Be exposure age dating. Fifty-seven rock samples were collected from boulders located on the terminal and lateral moraines that limit the horizontal extent of the LGM and the Lateglacial glaciers in the Biała Woda and Sucha Woda catchments. The uncertainty-weighted mean age of 21.5 ± 2.5 ka obtained for the maximum terminal moraine in the Sucha Woda Valley indicates that the oldest preserved moraines were formed during the global LGM. The age population ranges between 15.1 ± 1.0 and 28.3 ± 2.0 ka, and suggests that glaciers reached their maximum position (LGM I) as early as 28–25 ka and the final stabilization of the form occurred much later possibly after melting of buried dead ice. The younger glacial oscillation (LGM II) occurred no later than 20.5 ka and is represented by well-preserved termino-lateral moraine systems in the Pańszczyca Valley. The first Lateglacial stage (LG1) in the study area is documented in the Rybi Potok Valley at the RP1 moraine (1300 m a.s.l.), which was stable at around 16.6 ± 0.3 ka. The younger LG2 stage has no defined absolute age, however, it is constrained between 16.5 and 15.5 ka by the timing of the LG3 stage. This cold event is represented by well-formed moraines in the Roztoka/Pięć Stawów Polskich, Rybi Potok and Pańszczyca valleys of which exposure age indicates their deposition between 15.0 ± 0.5 and 15.6 ± 0.1 ka. The LG1, LG2 and LG3 stages likely occurred during the Oldest Dryas cold stage (Greenland Stadial 2.1a) related to the North Atlantic cooling Heinrich Event 1. The youngest glacial oscillation is evidenced by moraines in the Pusta and Pańszczyca valleys. These moraines are composed of very large granitic blocks of which exposure ages often exhibit isotope inheritance. This is reflected by the youngest P3 moraine in the Pańszczyca Valley with a mean age of deposition close to the LGM. The R4 moraine system in the Pusta Valley, however, indicates two oscillations phases that occurred at around 13 ka and correlates well with the timing of RP5 moraine formation in the Za Mnichem Valley. The LG4 stage is related to the climate cooling during the Younger Dryas (Greenland Stadial 1).LGM ELAs reconstructed for the Biała Woda and Sucha Woda/Pańszczyca glaciers were located at 1460–1480 m a.s.l. During the Oldest Dryas stages, the ELA in the High Tatras rose from 1600 to 1650 m a.s.l. in the Rybi Potok Valley and from 1700 to 1800 m a.s.l. in the Roztoka/Pięć Stawów Polskich Valley. The Younger Dryas ELA, depending on glacier's exposition, was located between 1950 and 2000 m a.s.l. Climate modelling results show that the LGM glaciers (maximum advance) could have advanced in the High Tatras when the mean annual temperature was lower than today by 11–12 °C and precipitation was reduced by 40–60%. During the Lateglacial stages the temperature decrease in the study area changed from 10 °C during the Oldest Dryas to 6 °C during the Younger Dryas and precipitation lowering decreased from −50% to −30% or even −10%, respectively compare to modern conditions.

Water Surface Overgrowing of the Tatra’s Lakes

Abstract Tatra’s lakes are vulnerable ecosystems and an important element of the alpine landscape. Mainly some shallow lake basins succumb to intense detritus sedimentation, fine fractions of material from the catchment area or to the overgrowing of water level by vegetation. In this paper, changes and dynamics of the 12 Tatra’s lake shorelines that were selected based on the detailed mapping of their extent are pointed out. Changes were assessed by accurate comparisons of historical and current orthophoto maps from the years 1949, 1955 and 2015 – and therefore, based on the oldest and the latest relevant materials. Due to the overgrowing of lakes caused by vegetation, their water surface decreased from −0.9% up to −47.9%, during the examined period. Losses were caused by the overgrowing of open water surface by the communities of sedges and peat bogs. The most significant dynamics of the shorelines during the last decades were reached by those lakes, into which fine sediments were simultaneously deposited by means of mountain water coarse. These sediments made the marginal parts of the lake basins shallower and accelerated rapid expansion of vegetation to the detriment of the open water surface. The overgrowing of shallow moraine lakes lying in the vegetation zone is a significant phenomenon of the High Tatras alpine landscape. It leads to their gradual extinction, turn into peat bogs and wet alpine meadows.

The Impact of Tourist Traffic on the Condition and Cell Structures of Alpine Swards

This research focuses on the effect of trampling on vegetation in high-mountain ecosystems through the electromagnetic spectrum’s interaction with plant pigments, cell structure, water content and other substances that have a direct impact on leaf properties. The aim of the study was to confirm with the use of fluorescence methods of variability in the state of high-mountain vegetation previously measured spectrometrically. The most heavily visited part of the High Tatras in Poland was divided into polygons and, after selecting the dominant species within alpine swards, a detailed analysis of trampled and reference patterns was performed. The Analytical Spectral Devices (ASD) FieldSpec 3/4 were used to acquire high-resolution spectral properties of plants, their fluorescence and the leaf chlorophyll content with the difference between the plant surface temperature (ts), and the air temperature (ta) as well as fraction of Absorbed Photosynthetically Active Radiation (fAPAR) used as reference data. The results show that, along tourist trails, vegetation adapts to trampling with the impact depending on the species. A lower chlorophyll value was confirmed by a decrease in fluorescence, and the cellular structures were degraded in trampled compared to reference species, with a lower leaf reflectance. In addition, at the extreme, trampling can eliminate certain species such as Luzula alpino-pilosa, for which significant changes were noted due to trampling.

ACCIDENTS AND RESCUE INTERVENTIONS DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON IN THE POLISH TATRA MOUNTAINS – ANALYSIS FOR 2014 AND 2015

Purpose. Analysis of mountain accidents in the Polish Tatra Mountains during the holiday season 2014-2015, their spatial distribution and indication of objective (natural) and subjective (human) reasons. Method. Analysis of mountain accident chronicles from the 1.07-31.08.2014 holiday season, available on the official website of the Tatra Volunteer Rescue Service. Findings. Mountain accidents happened in the High Tatras and in the Western Tatras. Most mountain accidents in the High Tatras occurred on the alpine species, and in the West Tatras - on the forest species. The greatest impact on the occurrence of mountain accidents in the High Tatras was biotic - an objective factor, and in the Western Tatras – lithological-morphological and meteorological-climatic. Research and conclusion limitations. Empirical studies concern the analysis of mountain accidents in the Tatra National Park and all types of tourist activities undertaken before a mountain accident. Practical implications. The study presents the impact of man and the mountain environment on mountain accidents. Originality. The presented results may help to determine environmental risk zones, tourists will be informed about them before going on the Tatra trails during the holiday season. Type of paper. An article presenting the results of empirical research.

Evaluation of the attention capture and holding power of interpretive signs among visitors to a self-guided trail in the High Tatras National Park (Slovakia)

Nature trails have become very popular and have become the most widespread method of interpreting natural and cultural heritage. This paper presents the result of evaluation research of a nature trail in the High Tatras National Park (Slovakia). The holding power and attention capture of the individual panels were assessed by observation including further analysis of other factors related to the interpretive quality or location of the panels. Evaluation shows that the trail is overloaded with text and does not adequately link the communicated content with the surroundings. The individual trail panels have a relatively low degree of holding power and attention capture. The evaluation reveals the importance of good quality and thoughtful interpretation of natural heritage. Overall, the study also shows the difficulties associated with the use of statistical methods to analyze the effectiveness of selected trail features.