Outer Western Carpathians Research Articles

Hotspots of the Habitats Directive species in the Carpathians

Knowledge of species distribution is crucial for their protection, and this was our motivation to identify hotspots of the Habitats Directive (HD) species in the Carpathians. As a data source we used reports and species distribution maps submitted by the EU Member States according to the Habitats Directive Article 17 in 2019.The highest HD species richness areas are in the south-eastern part of the Western Carpathians and in the south-west outcrops of the Carpathians at the SK/AT and CZ/AT borders. The south-eastern part of the Western Carpathians is important for all studied species groups, specific patterns of distribution exhibit fish (distribution along big rivers), amphibians (high diversity also in the outer Western Carpathians and Transylvanian Basin) and partially plant species (besides SE Western Carpathians, quite high diversity also in other parts of the Western Carpathians).We analysed the relation between species richness, proportion of species groups, and concentration of rare species. Mammals are the dominant taxonomical group, especially in species-poor grid cells. The proportion of invertebrates increases with increased species richness. The widespread species prevail in species-poor grid cells and their proportion decreases with increasing species richness.We also identified areas with low Natura 2000 coverage, but with high biodiversity or a high number of rare species. These areas have high potential to improve protection of the HD species by designating new Natura 2000 sites or enlarging existing ones.

Insight into Oligocene–Early Miocene palaeogeography of the Carpathians in Poland: first cycle and recycled detrital zircon provenance in the Menilite and Krosno formations

A set of 6368 U–Pb isotope ages of detrital zircons from 53 samples of the Oligocene to Early Miocene Menilite and Krosno formations (Outer Western Carpathians) was obtained and interpreted in terms of their sources. In both units the most frequent are mid-Variscan and Cadomian zircons that were derived from the Variscan Internides underlying the studied basin, and from the Brunovistulia Terrane, respectively. The coincidence of detrital zircon ages and clast ages indicates that zircons of that age can be at least partly of first cycle. Sveconorwegian and Calymmian–Statherian recycled zircons of Baltica origin, highly frequent in the Menilite Formation, are most probably sourced from Lower Devonian sediments of the Małopolska Massif. The Oligocene basin of the Menilite Formation was supplied in detrital material largely from the north where the Meta-Carpathian Swell was elevated in the area of the Małopolska Massif and Brunovistulia Terrane. During sedimentation of the Krosno Formation this source expired. A considerable input to the Menilite Formation of Baltica derived zircons and a limited number of zircons from sources located SE of the study area suggests that they were deposited in a relatively shallow and isolated basin. Supplementary material : A list of samples collected, lithological features of sampled rocks and lithostratigraphic sub-units, methods of zircon separation and U–Pb dating, and detailed results of the dating of detrital zircons, with concordia plots and probability density diagrams are available at https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.7100071

The Jurassic-Cretaceous boundary on the northern Tethyan margin: Karpentná and Ropice sections (Outer Western Carpathians, Czech Republic)

Microfacies and high-resolution studies at the Silesian Unit (Outer Western Carpathians, Czech Republic) on calpionellids, calcareous and non-calcareous dinoflagellate cysts, foraminifers and calcareous nannofossils, aligned with paleomagnetism, δ13Ccarb and δ18Ocarb, allow construction of a detailed stratigraphy and palaeoenvironmental interpretations across the Jurassic-Cretaceous (J/K) boundary. Two studied sections consist of allodapic and biomicritic limestones and marlstones. Ropice section spans the stratigraphic range from the upper Tithonian calpionellid Chitinoidella Zone, nannoplankton zone NJT16 to the lower Berriasian calpionellid Alpina Subzone of the Calpionella Zone, nannoplankton NC1 Zone. The J/K boundary is marked by the dominance of small forms of Calpionella alpina, rare occurrence of Nannoconus wintereri, and the first occurrence of organic-walled dinoflagellate cysts Dichadogonyaulax bensonii and Muderongia longicorna. A negative shift in the δ13Ccarb values corresponds to the Tithonian/Berriasian boundary, the base of the Calpionella Zone (Alpina Subzone). Karpentná section is represented by upper Tithonian calpionellid Chitinoidella to Crassicollaria zones. Remagnetization was documented in both sections.

Supergene mineral assemblage from sediments affected by contact and hydrothermal metamorphism, locality Dobrá – Staré Město near Frýdek-Místek (Czech Republic)

At locality Dobrá – Staré Město, series of outcrops occur on both banks of the Morávka River. The river cuts through the sediments on the tectonic contact between the Silesian and Subsilesian units of the Outer Western Carpathians. Clayey facies of the Hradiště Formation (Early Cretaceous, Valanginian to Aptian) contains numerous tectonic fragments reaching hundreds meters in size of strongly altered (carbonatized, smectitized) subaquatic volcanic rocks of the Teschenite Association. These volcanic rocks are dominated by fine-grained to aphanitic rocks, possibly of both effusive and intrusive origin. The host sediments affected by the contact metamorphism (contact adinole) also occur. Framboidal pyrite is abundant in majority of sediments of the studied area, giving rise to efflorescences of gypsum, baryte, celestine, and a mineral of alunite group (Figure 1). A more varied assemblage of supergene minerals was recognized on a small rock outcrop at GPS coordinates N 49° 39.992’ E 018° 23.810’ (Figure 2), where it developed relatively recently after the big floods in 2010 that washed away the previous mineralization. During the first years, only gypsum crusts were detectable, while in 2023, we recognized 4 macroscopic and 5 microscopic minerals forming thin botryoidal crusts. These crusts show faint zoning, with gooey, gel-like X-ray amorphous material in the humid upper part , middle zone with abundant fibroferrite and the lower part dominated by gypsum. Gypsum forms well-developed, but frequently corroded crystals with various habitus (Figure 4A, B). Fibroferrite is present as fibrous aggregates with individual crystals of up to ca. 100–150 µm long and <1 µm thick (Figure 4C). It forms directly from the gel-like substance (Figure 4D). Rhombohedral crystals and rossete aggregates of hydroniumjarosite vary from 2 µm to 5 µm in size (Figure 4E), but the most common are dust-like coatings on rock fissures with particle size <1 µm. Rusty coatings of schwertmannite (Figure 4F), in some places accompanied by gypsum, with Fe/S at. % ratios near 4–5 are common. In some cases, the Al/Fe at. % ratio exceed 1, which might indicate presence of yet undescribed Al-analogue of schwertmannite, ill-defined alumogel, or an amorphous precursor of aluminite. Presence of ferrihydrite is possible but not confirmed. The above-mentioned Fe-rich phases are frequently accompanied by diplobacilli-shaped bacteria (Figure 4F). Slavíkite, pickeringite-halotrichite, alunogen, copiapite group mineral, hexahydrite, and melanterite (Figure 5) were also recognized by EDS and PXRD. Slavíkite and copiapite group minerals seem to be alteration products of fibroferrite. Unit-cell parameters refined from the X-ray powder diffraction are presented for all recognized phases (Table 1). Surprisingly, secondary sulfates are present on the metasediments with abundant calcite (Figure 3), which should serve as a neutralization buffer. The reason is the restricted amount of calcite available on the rock fissure surfaces, and water infiltration partially blocked by newly-formed gypsum. The albite in contact adinole (Figure 3) is unaffected by the acid rock drainage, since Na ions are not present in significant quantities in supergene phases. Since there is still enough available unaltered pyrite, we expect a shift towards more stable mineral assemblage in future. The limited amount of secondary sulfates does not present any significant harm to the environment.

Remobilization of HFSE, Y, and REE during Diagenetic Alteration of Heavy Minerals in Sandstones from the Chvalčov Site, Flysch Belt of the Outer Western Carpathians, Czech Republic

An in situ electron microprobe study of detrital minerals yielded important insights into the diagenetic history of the Cretaceous-to-Paleogene flysch sandstones from the Chvalčov site, Rača Unit, Flysch Belt of the Outer Western Carpathians. Detrital titanite and a Fe-Ti mineral (probably ilmenite) were almost completely altered to TiO2 minerals, which also newly crystallized in intergranular spaces of sandstone. Brookite, anatase, and, exceptionally, rutile were identified by Raman spectroscopy. Authigenic TiO2 phases show complex composition with occasionally elevated contents of Fe, Nb, Zr, V, Sc, Cr, Al, Y, and/or P, which were likely sourced from altered neighboring heavy minerals. In addition, rare authigenic LREE- and Y-enriched apatite rims were observed on detrital apatite. The remobilization of REE, Y, and HFSE was likely mediated by acidic early diagenetic fluids enriched in fluoride and sulfate anions. The superimposed formation of calcite cement was associated with the dissolution of detrital garnet, feldspars, and quartz. The compositions of detrital apatite and garnet (Alm60-82Prp4-30Sps0-24Grs0-19) are comparable with those from adjacent parts of the Flysch Belt. Detrital rutile is enriched in Nb, V, Cr, and Zr. Our study illustrates the intensity of diagenetic alteration of detrital minerals in flysch sandstones as well as the usefulness of in-situ electron-microprobe investigations for the recognition of processes influencing heavy minerals in diagenetically altered sediments.

Seismic damage in Quaternary fluvial gravels in low-seismicity thrust-and-fold-belts: Case study of the Outer Western Carpathians (Poland and Slovakia)

In this contribution, we propose a model of Quaternary seismicity in the Outer Western Carpathians. The model presents results of analysis of fractured clasts performed in 268 exposures of Quaternary fluvial gravels within the ca. 5,000 km2 large segment of the Outer Western Carpathians comprising: Outer Carpathian nappes, the innermost part of the Carpathian Foredeep, and two intramontane basins – the Orava-Nowy Targ Basin and the Nowy Sącz Basin. Moreover, to precise stratigraphic position of the host gravels we performed OSL dating in 16 exposures and 14C dating in 4 exposures. Outside the intramontane basins, seismic damage in Quaternary strata is largely focused along all major overthrusts and some of the large-scale strike-slip and normal faults, whereas, within the intramontane basins, the damage is dispersed within the whole basins. Our results show that seismic damage within Quaternary strata in the Outer Western Carpathians results both from co-seismic fault rupture and from seismic shaking. During Quaternary times, the Outer Western Carpathians have been affected by earthquakes since the Pleistocene until Present. Seismic damage in Quaternary strata results from light (Mw5-) earthquakes with the exception of hanging limbs of the normal faults bordering the Orava-Nowy Targ Intramontane Basin which have been affected also by moderate (Mw5+) earthquakes. Our model can be significant for understanding seismic hazards in low-seismicity thrust-and-fold belts. In the studied case, this is important as the densely populated intramontane basins show the largest seismic damage.

Crystal chemistry and origin of epidote-(Sr) in alkaline rocks of the teschenite association (Silesian Unit, Outer Western Carpathians, Czech Republic)

Crystal chemistry and origin of epidote-(Sr) in alkaline rocks of the teschenite association (Silesian Unit, Outer Western Carpathians, Czech Republic)

Modal Quantitative Logs for the Objective Recording and Analysis of Very Thick Sedimentary Sequences

The quantitative logs method is designed for objective facies analysis of thick sedimentary successions. This method enables the analysis of whole successions instead of selected intervals arbitrarily considered as representative and results in a database suitable for further analysis, e.g., statistical, quantitative stratigraphy, or facies modelling. The logging procedure involves the following steps: (i) each of the logged sedimentary features is classified according to a standard, e.g., grain-size follows the phi scale or Wentworth classes are applied for bed thickness; (ii) in the course of logging, the whole succession is subdivided into intervals, each of which is characterised by a predominant (i.e., modal) class of the considered feature; (iii) such modal class characterises a part of the section that has a specific thickness and is called a ‘modally homogeneous interval’ (MHI); and (iv) the lower and upper boundary of each MHI are defined by a change in the modal class. The thickness of all MHIs characterised by the same class interval is then added. The grand total of such component sub-totals for all class intervals of the logged feature equals the log thickness and is the basis for the calculation of frequency distribution, which characterises the succession from the viewpoint of this feature. Each bar of the resulting histogram represents the percentage of the whole section composed of the strata among which the given class occurs as the modal (i.e., predominant) feature. The method of modal quantitative logs is illustrated here with an example of statistical analysis of selected sections of the Krosno Beds (Oligocene) turbidite succession from the Western Outer Carpathians of Poland.

Geometry and topology of a Polish Outer Carpathian digital-elevation-model-interpreted lineament network in the context of regional tectonics

Abstract. The Polish part of the Western Outer Carpathian lineament network was analysed based on the Global Multi-resolution Terrain Elevation Data 2010 (GMTED2010) digital elevation model. Lineaments were identified in the visual screening of the hillshade model. To the best of our knowledge, no one has studied the geometrical properties of the network in relation to the topological ones. The NetworkGT QGIS toolbox was applied to identify the nodes and branches of the network as well as to calculate the topology parameters. Our aim was to find differences between the western and eastern parts of the Western Outer Carpathians; therefore, the analyses were carried out in six sectors chosen based on the geographical subdivision in the geological context: three in the north, mainly the Silesian unit, and three in the south, mainly the Magura unit. We found general agreement of the identified network with the photo-lineament map; however, some of the photo-lineaments are not confirmed by a digital elevation model (DEM). We found that the topological parameters of the networks change from west to east but not from north to south. There are areas of increased interconnectivity, especially the Nowy Sącz Basin, where the lineament network may reflect a complicated system of cross-cutting, deep-rooted fault zones in the basement.

Tree aboveground biomass increment and mortality in temperate mountain forests: Tracing dynamic changes along 25-year monitoring period

Tree aboveground biomass and its increment are sensitive forest and landscape dynamics indicators. Although various methods can measure forest biomass dynamics, only in situ, direct monitoring can substantially reduce the uncertainty related to unknown or uncontrolled factors. Within the present study, we aimed to isolate drivers of tree biomass increment, mortality, and recruitment in the Gorce National Park (GNP), Outer Western Carpathians, Poland. We used a unique database consisting of information collected between 1992 and 2017 (in 5-year intervals) within 389 permanent monitoring plots regularly distributed in the GNP area. This allowed us to calculate tree biomass and its increments and model them using a set of explanatory variables: proportion of particular tree species, mean temperature of the coldest quarter (bio11), mean precipitation of the warmest quarter (bio18), elevation, topographic wetness index (TWI), stand basal area (BA), diameter heterogeneity expressed by the coefficient of variation (DBH CV), and conservation regime. We applied generalized linear mixed-effects models (GLMMs), assuming the beta distribution of response variables, i.e. biomass proportions of increment, recruitment, and mortality of three main tree species: Norway spruce Picea abies (L.) Karst, European beech Fagus sylvatica L., and silver fir Abies alba Mill.In a large part of the GNP area, tree biomass increased. In the central and southern parts of the park, tree mortality was higher than in other parts, especially between 2002 and 2007, due to bark beetle outbreaks and intense wind damage. Stand dynamics of all species depended mainly on species proportion in stand biomass. The increment of Abies alba increased with TWI but decreased with BA and DBH CV. Recruitment decreased with BA and slope but increased with TWI and DBH CV, while mortality decreased with DBH CV and TWI. For Fagus sylvatica, increment increased with TWI but decreased with BA, elevation, and bio18, while recruitment decreased with BA and increased with TWI. Mortality decreased with DBH CV, bio11, and TWI but increased with BA. Picea abies increment increased with elevation but decreased with BA, slope, and DBH CV and weakly increased with bio11. Recruitment increased with TWI but decreased with BA and DBH CV, while mortality decreased with DBH CV, BA, and bio18. Water retention at the plot level, approximated by TWI, decreased mortality and increased recruitment of the studied species. Therefore, it can serve as an indicator of suitable microsites for their persistence. In addition, the increment was lower in strictly protected forests, while mortality was higher. Our study provided quantitative evidence of how climate, geomorphology, and forest stand characteristics modify stand dynamics.

The longest tree-ring based chronology of mass movements in Central Europe and their meteorological triggers

Knowledge of meteorological triggers of mass movements is crucial for determining the degree of hazards, but also for predicting their occurrence. Dendrogeomorphic methods (tree-ring based) have repeatedly provided data on historical landslide activity as a basis for detailed trigger analysis. However, the construction of long dendrogeomorphic chronologies encounters limits in the sensitivity of growth disturbances in trees as well as their age dependence. Moreover, accurate meteorological instrumental data usually do not cover the entire length of long tree-ring based chronologies of landslide movements. To resolve these uncertainties, this study has compiled the longest tree-ring-based chronology of mass movements in Central Europe for Mt. Kněhyně in Outer Western Carpathians, spanning more than a quarter of a millennium and based on 228 tree-ring series of disturbed individuals of Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.). The resulting chronology is a combination of two sub-chronologies that we constructed from different tree growth disturbances (reaction wood and tree-ring eccentricity), combining the advantages of both approaches. To identify potential meteorological triggers, we combined instrumental data from the nearest meteorological station together with reconstructed data from the wider landslide study area and documentary records. This gave us a uniquely long overlap of the two datasets across the full length of the mass movement chronology, allowing for more robust results compared to significantly shorter overlays. The studied mass movements followed up to three years of above-mean precipitation and were immediately triggered by short (several days) precipitation extremes. Snowmelt lasting several days to weeks in selected cases further modified this pattern.

Geophysical architecture of tectonized volcanic bodies near flysch thrust fronts (Outer Western Carpathians)

Teschenite association rocks (TAR) represent a specific type of mostly alkaline igneous rocks which form an almost 100 km long belt of discontinuous rock bodies within the Outer Western Carpathians (OWC) in the territory of Czechia and Poland. At present, a detailed mineralogical, geochemical, and stratigraphic analysis or dating of the volcanic formations is available, but basic structural and spatial relations characterizing TAR bodies and their origin are missing due to the poor exposure of TAR and lack of borehole data. A drill-hole- and outcrop-data-calibrated geophysical survey has proven to be a powerful tool for the interpretation of spatial extent and subsurface structure of TAR. At two type localities of TAR in Czechia (sites Staré Město and Bruzovice), a geophysical investigation combining ground conductivity mapping (CM) with profile measurement of electrical resistivity tomography (ERT), gravity survey, and magnetic survey was performed. A joint interpretation of the geophysical data served to determine the spatial extent (up to 500 m long and 40 m deep), geometry, and structural features (often fault-bounded with highly anisotropic heterogeneous structure of mélange character) of the studied TAR bodies. The interpreted magmatism of the study area included a stage of intrusion and extrusion of magmatic bodies in the Early Cretaceous, followed by a phase of fold-thrust deformation during the tectonic shortening of the area from the Late Cretaceous to Oligocene times. The resulting highly anisotropic rock mass consisting of TAR and its country rocks structurally controls the subsequent post-tectonic gravity-driven deformation.

Neoproterozoic ophiolite exotic blocks in the Outer Western Carpathians, southern Poland: a record of the fast ocean-floor cooling and alterations

Ophiolitic blocks, represented by metagabbro and serpentinite containing relict pyroxene, olivine, baddeleyite, zirconolite, Ni-pyrite and pyrrhotite, were found as exotic blocks in an olistostrome in the Magura Nappe, Outer Western Carpathians. The geochemical and isotopic features of the blocks suggest they represent mantle-derived rocks, with within-plate geochemistry signatures, modified by subduction, with lithospheric mantle input. A U-Pb apatite cooling age (614 ±3 Ma) is within age uncertainty of a published U-Pb zircon magmatic crystallization age (~614 Ma) implying rapid post-crystallization cooling. Pervasive alteration with replacement of primary minerals by low-temperature assemblages is observed in all rock fragments and is interpreted as contemporaneous with shearing. The secondary mineral assemblages and temperature modelling allow the interpretation that the pervasive ocean-floor metamorphism is the alteration in these meta-mafic rocks. These ophiolitic fragments can be linked to the Neoproterozoic break up of Rodinia/Pannotia.

Residual rocky forms in the landscape of the Outer Carpathians (Silesian Beskid Mts, Poland) – geotourist and sedimentological case study

This study investigated residual landforms developed within of the flysch bedrock in the Outer Western Carpathians as sandstone-to-conglomeratic tors. The studied relic rocky forms are locally exposed on the valley slopes in the top and plateau parts of the Silesian Beskid Mts. The cognitive values of such relic landforms, especially in the context of their morphogenetic traits and shaping of their macro- and microrelief, are well known and described. In contrast to epigenetic processes, the sedimentological aspect of the origin of such siliciclastic rocky deposits is still subject to different approaches in terms of terminology and interpretation. Thus, the aim of this study is to describe the conditions of environmental settings and character of the sediment transport and deposition processes from gravity flows, and to present a depositional system model for such a variety of flysch deposits. This study also attempts to present geotourist and geoeducational attractiveness of the tors against the background of regional geodiversity, geoheritage, and geoprotection. The results yielded a synthetic morpho-litho-sedimentological and geotouristic specification of the rocky forms analysed. The residual rocky landforms are polygenic geomorphological elements developed as a consequence of multistage and different scale of morph-forming activity operating on the basis of litho-sedimentological and tectonic assumptions under the influence of denudation processes.

Residual rocky forms in the landscape of the Outer Carpathians (Silesian Beskid Mts, Poland) - geotourist and sedimentological case study

This study investigated residual landforms developed within of the flysch bedrock in the Outer Western Carpathians as sandstone-to-conglomeratic tors. The studied relic rocky forms are locally exposed on the valley slopes in the top and plateau parts of the Silesian Beskid Mts. The cognitive values of such relic landforms, especially in the context of their morphogenetic traits and shaping of their macro- and microrelief, are well known and described. In contrast to epigenetic processes, the sedimentological aspect of the origin of such siliciclastic rocky deposits is still subject to different approaches in terms of terminology and interpretation. Thus, the aim of this study is to describe the conditions of environmental settings and character of the sediment transport and deposition processes from gravity flows, and to present a depositional system model for such a variety of flysch deposits. This study also attempts to present geotourist and geoeducational attractiveness of the tors against the background of regional geodiversity, geoheritage, and geoprotection. The results yielded a synthetic morpho-litho-sedimentological and geotouristic specification of the rocky forms analysed. The residual rocky landforms are polygenic geomorphological elements developed as a consequence of multistage and different scale of morph-forming activity operating on the basis of litho-sedimentological and tectonic assumptions under the influence of denudation processes.

Evaluation of Pressure Types Impacted on Sediment Supply to Dam Reservoirs: Selected Examples of the Outer Western Carpathians Catchments Area

The proper characteristics of the catchment area of dammed reservoirs is of great importance when managing their capacity in the context of enabling proper functioning, including retention of the planned amount of water and counteracting the effects of drought. Therefore, detailed analyses covered mountain reservoirs with varying degrees of capacity changes: Goczałkowice on the Vistula, Rożnów on the Dunajec and Tresna on the Soła, thanks to which reasons for the differences in these changes were determined. For this purpose, data on the volume of the suspended load was used. Diversity in its transport is mainly caused by the presence of damming structures. Correlation of morphological and hydraulic indicators was carried out, preceded by the identification and characteristics of all transverse and longitudinal structures located in catchments upstream of individual reservoirs. Analysis of the geological structure, as well as the structure of land use in the basins of the reservoirs, was also performed. The obtained results allowed for the preparation of recommendations for further work, allowing, among other things, an increase in water retention. The key factors for maintaining the capacity of retention reservoirs were defined, which may be useful in national plans or programs in the field of counteracting the effects of drought or flood protection.

Post-Cretaceous–Paleogene slumping in the Subsilesian Unit of the Outer Western Carpathians: Biostratigraphic, sedimentary and magnetic records from the Bystřice section

Post-Cretaceous–Paleogene slumping in the Subsilesian Unit of the Outer Western Carpathians: Biostratigraphic, sedimentary and magnetic records from the Bystřice section

Morphology of Radhostium carpaticum Plička and Říha, 1989 in new finds from the Outer Western Carpathians (Upper Cretaceous – Eocene flysch deposits of the Biele Karpaty Mountains, Slovakia)

A new find of one specimen of the relatively rare trace fossil Radhostium carpaticum is the subject of this morphological study. The new find from the Biele Karpaty Unit, is preserved on the soles of turbiditic sandstones within the Upper Cretaceous and Eocene turbiditic sequence of the Svodnice Formation in the Biele Karpaty Mountains, Slovakia. The morphological study of the trace fossil is based on this and the available published individuals of Radhostium. The burrow reveals a regular morphological system consisting of cylindrical U-shaped shafts (elements) arranged in a row linked by a horizontal burrow. Morphology shows that the trace fossil most likely corresponds to an open burrow system of domichnion without back fill. This morphology indicates that it is essentially a branched burrow and does not represent the chevron structure typical for trace fossils of molluscs. However, this morphology is comparable to no known form, so the producer of the trace fossil cannot be reliably determined. Referred ichnospecies of Radhostium have been recorded in three geographic regions (Alps, Carpathians, Apennines). All specimens of R. carpaticum occur in Upper Cretaceous and Palaeocene turbiditic deep-marine sequences. Thus, Radhostium occurs within a relatively narrow stratigraphic range in interconnected palaeogeographic areas in the Western Tethys.

Changing natural conditions and their impact on the Mt. Śnieżnica landscape, Outer Western Carpathians – Reconstruction of the Holocene environment based on geochemical indices and radiocarbon dating

Environmental changes during the Holocene impacted the development of all civilizations, and it is important to understand the power of this influence through, for instance, the reconstruction of these changes. However, when the climate and environmental conditions of the deep past are analyzed, researchers need to rely on various types of proxy data that are only approximations of the required information. In addition, this type of information is often absent or has several gaps (hiatuses). In the present study, we analyzed a 4.4-m deep core excavated from the fen formed within the landslide body on the northern side of Mt. Śnieżnica in the Wyspowy Beskidy Mountains, the Outer Western Carpathians, southern Poland. In total, we analyzed 405 samples in terms of 29 geochemical components (e.g., nitrogen (N), carbon (C), sulfur (S), and the total organic carbon (TOC)) and physical properties, namely particle-size distribution, loss on ignition (LOI), and microcharcoal content. Additionally, to establish geochronology, we dated 27 samples of different biological materials using the Accelerator Mass Spectrometry radiocarbon method. A detailed examination of plant macrodetritus and wood anatomy supported our interpretation based on the geochemical data. The Mt. Śnieżnica landslide probably formed ca. 14,000 cal BP in the first phase of the Allerød Interstadial. For almost 9000 years, there were no appropriate terrain conditions for the long-term accumulation of organo-mineral materials. At ca. 4400 cal BP, peat accumulation commenced. The beginning of peat accumulation correlates with the global 4.2 Bond event of cold climate conditions. After another ca. 2000 years, the core sediments were dominated by limnetic mud, suggesting aquatic conditions in the landslide depression. This sudden shift in the characteristics of sedimentation is loosely linked to the boundary between the Subboreal and Subatlantic phases (ca. 2500 cal BP). The apparent dichotomy of the depositional record agrees with the reconstructed climatic conditions during the second part of the Holocene. Up to 3000 cal BP, the regional climate was warm and humid, which allowed fast biomass production and hillslope stabilization by trees. Forest fires occurred only at the beginning and end of this period (4400–3000 cal BP). After 3000 cal BP, the regional climate became cool and dry. In this period, we found evidence of intensified erosion, but it was unrelated to forest fire activity.

Paleocurrent analysis and paleogeography of the Biele Karpaty Unit (Magura Nappe, Outer Western Carpathians)

Paleocurrent analysis and paleogeography of the Biele Karpaty Unit (Magura Nappe, Outer Western Carpathians)