Outer Western Carpathians Research Articles

The impact of Wallachian settlement on relief and alluvia composition in small valleys of the Carpathian Mts. (Czech Republic)

The impact of the Wallachian settlement on small mountain catchments has been studied at the example of Škorňanský and Hartisov Streams (Moravskoslezské Beskydy Mts, Western Outer Carpathians). Between the 16th and the 19th centuries the Wallachian people introduced pastoral management originating from the woodless Balkans to the forested mid-altitude mountain area under study. This area was subjected to rapid settlement, intense grazing in forests and slash-and-burn deforestation. To assess the geomorphic effects of Wallachian activity in the catchments studied, grain size, structure, organic matter content, and the plant macrofossil composition of the alluvia forming terrace levels in the mouths of the Škorňanský and Hartisov Streams were analysed. Radiocarbon dating, 137Cs and 210Pb analyses and dendrochronological dating were also applied to determine the age of the alluvia studied. The results were compared with land-use and land-cover changes recorded on archival maps and pictures, and with population changes in the study area. It was found that the two successive trends of catchment settlement and later depopulation have led to the development of inset terraces on the outlet fans of the Škorňanský and Hartisov Streams. In the study catchments both settlement/deforestation and depopulation/land abandonment occurred very rapidly which also caused abrupt geomorphic changes. Before human disturbance, fluvial erosion and the redeposition of older Pleistocene deposits predominated. As a result coarse, gravel alluvia were deposited within stream channels. The stage of massive overbank accumulation of fine-grained alluvia was a reflection of intensified delivery of slope material into valley floors from catchments deforested by the Wallachians. The later stage of vertical incision of channels resulted from the decrease of sediment supply from hillslopes to river channels during catchment depopulation and afforestation.

Thermal maturity of Miocene organic matter from the Carpathian Foredeep in the Czech Republic: 1D and 3D models

A three-dimensional reconstruction of burial and palaeogeothermal conditions is presented for Miocene sediments of the Carpathian Foredeep beneath the Outer Western Carpathians fold and trust belt in the eastern part of the Czech Republic. The sedimentary units involved include autochthonous Paleozoic sequences, Miocene deposits of the Carpathian Foredeep and of the Western Carpathian nappe system. Reservoir rocks with economic oil and gas accumulations occur in the fractured crystalline basement and in the Neogene Carpathian Foredeep. The studied Vizovice area, is characterized by rocks representing both Variscan and Carpathian orogenic cycles. The 3D thermal maturity and subsidence model presented allows the significance of both tectonic events to be evaluated. The model, calibrated by vitrinite reflectance from eight boreholes proved that eroded units related to the Variscan orogeny approach, in amount, those eroded during the Carpathian orogeny. The thickness of the eroded rocks does not exceed 300 m in either case. Vitrinite reflectance data from representative core samples of the Miocene organic matter show that Rr values increase with depth from 0.36 to 0.58%. A re-evaluation of archival data on the quantity and quality of organic matter shows that total organic carbon ranges from 0.20 to 2.92 wt%, and residual hydrocarbons (S2) from 0.04 to 8.48 mg HC/g rock. These results lead to the conclusion that Neogene Unit II that was interpreted as coastline-through to shallow-marine deposition environment within the Carpathian Foredeep in the Czech Republic is potential source rock for hydrocarbon accumulations.

Some perisphinctoid ammonites of the Štramberk Limestone and their dating with associated microfossils (Tithonian to Lower Berriasian, Outer Western Carpathians, Czech Republic)

AbstractThe present contribution deals with the taxonomy of seven species of perisphinctoid ammonite from the Štramberk Limestone (Outer Western Carpathians, Czech Republic) deposited in Moravian-Silesian museums. The age of these studied ammonites is compared with that of index microfossils contained in the matrix adhering to or infilling the studied specimens. The ammonites document a stratigraphic range from earliest Tithonian to early Berriasian. In addition to taxonomy and new ontogenetic data on some species, we also present data on their palaeogeographic distribution. The occurrence of Subboreal himalayitids in the Štramberk Limestone of an early Berriasian age is determined by both the microfauna and accompanying ammonites, which indicate connection of the Silesian-part of the Tethyan Carpathian area with the Subboreal Russian Platform Basin. These records also suggest an early Berriasian age (Jacobi Chron) for the lowermost part of the Ryazanian stage in its type area.

Exotic clasts, debris flow deposits and their significance for reconstruction of the Istebna Formation (Late Cretaceous – Paleocene, Silesian Basin, Outer Carpathians)

AbstractThe different types of calcareous exotic clasts (fragments of pre-existing rocks), embedded in the Paleocene siliciclastic deposits of the Istebna Formation from the Beskid Mały Mountains (Silesian Unit, Western Outer Carpathians), were studied and differentiated through microfacies-biostratigraphical analysis. Calcareous exotics of the Oxfordian- Kimmeridgian age prevail, representing a type of sedimentation comparable to that one documented for the northern Tethyan margin. The Tithonian exotic clasts (Štramberk-type limestones), which are much less common, were formed on a carbonate platform and related slope. The sedimentary paleotransport directions indicate the Silesian Ridge as a main source area for all exotics, which were emplaced in the depositional setting of the flysch deposits. The exotics constitute a relatively rare local component of some debrites. Proceedings of the sedimentological facies analysis indicate that these mass transport deposits were accumulated en-masse by debris flows in a deep-water depositional system in the form of a slope apron. Exotics prove that clasts of the crystalline basement and, less common, fragments of the sedimentary cover, originated from long-lasting tectonic activity and intense uplift of the source area. Mass transport processes and mass accumulation of significant amounts of the coarse-grained detrital material in the south facial zone of the Silesian Basin during the Early Paleogene was due to reactivation of the Silesian Ridge and its increased denudation. Relative regression and erosion of the emerged older flysch deposits were also forced by this uplift. These processes were connected with the renewed diastrophic activity in the Alpine Tethys.

Neogene palaeogeography and basin evolution of the Western Carpathians, Northern Pannonian domain and adjoining areas

The data on the Neogene geodynamics, palaeogeography, and basin evolution of the Western Carpathians, Northern Pannonian domain and adjoining areas (ALCAPA Mega-unit) are summarized, re-evaluated, supplemented, and newly interpreted. The proposed concept is illustrated by a series of palinspastic and palaeotopographic maps. The Miocene development of the Outer Carpathians reflects the vanishing subduction of the residual oceanic and/or thinned continental crust. A compression perpendicular to the front of the orogenic system led to the closing of residual flysch troughs and to accretionary wedge growth, as well as to the development of a foredeep on the margin of the European Platform. Docking of the Outer Western Carpathians accretionary wedge, together with the Central Western Carpathians and Northern Pannonian domain, was accompanied by stretching of the overriding microplate. An orogen parallel and perpendicular extension was associated with the opening and subsidence of the Early and Middle Miocene hinterland (back-arc) basin system that compensated counter-clockwise rotations of the individual crustal fragments of ALCAPA. The Late Miocene development relates to the opening of the Pannonian Basin System. This process was coupled with common stretching of both ALCAPA and Tisza-Dacia Mega-units due to the pull exerted by subduction rollback in front of the Eastern Carpathians. The filling up of the hinterland basin system was associated with thermal subsidence and was followed by the Pliocene tectonic inversion and consequent erosion of the basin system margins, as well as part of the interior.

Genetic aspects of barite mineralization related to rocks of the teschenite association in the Silesian Unit, Outer Western Carpathians, Czech Republic

AbstractBarite is a relatively uncommon phase in vein and amygdule mineralizations hosted by igneous rocks of the teschenite association in the Silesian Unit (Western Carpathians). In macroscopically observable sizes, it has been reported from 10 sites situated only in the Czech part of the Silesian Unit. Microscopic barite produced by the hydrothermal alteration of rock matrix and also by the supergene processes is more abundant. We examined four samples of barite by mineralogical and geochemical methods. Electron microprobe analyses proved pure barites with up to 0.038 apfu Sr and without remarkable internal zonation. Fluid inclusion and sulphur isotope data suggests that multiple sources of fluid components have been involved during barite crystallization. Barite contains primary and secondary aqueous all-liquid (L) or less frequent two-phase (L+V) aqueous fluid inclusions with variable salinity (0.4-2.9 wt. % NaCl eq.) and homogenization temperatures between 77 and 152 °C. The higher-salinity fluid endmember was probably Cretaceous seawater and the lower-salinity one was probably diagenetic water derived from surrounding flysch sediments during compaction and thermal alteration of clay minerals. The δ34S values of barite samples range between -1.0 ‰ and +16.4 ‰ CDT suggesting participation of two sources of sulphate, one with a near-zero δ34S values probably derived from wall rocks and another with high δ34S values being most probably sulphate from the Cretaceous seawater. All results underline the role of externally derived fluids during post-magmatic alteration of bodies of rock of the teschenite association.

Deep-seated landslides affecting monoclinal flysch morphostructure: Evaluation of LiDAR-derived topography of the highest range of the Czech Carpathians

The recent launch of national-scale LiDAR-derived topographic data provides an opportunity for (re)evaluating the geomorphic imprint of landslides in forested mountains. A LiDAR-based inventory of deep-seated landslides (DSLs) in the highest part of Czech Outer Western Carpathians (Moravskoslezské Beskydy Mts.) reveals that nearly 20% of the territory is affected by ancient DSLs. Rather than the topography itself, we show that the geological characteristics of flysch rocks control the density, scaling relationships and morphometry of DSLs. They reveal a strong tendency to clustering in areas with favourable structural conditions, such as cataclinal slopes of individual monoclinal ridges formed by thick-bedded sandstones. In comparison with high-mountain areas and regions dominated by weaker lithology (e.g., claystone-dominated flysch), sandstone-dominated monoclinal structure of the Moravskoslezské Beskydy Mts. features predominantly short-travelled DSLs that are arrested on slopes and thus reveal a higher slope gradient than non-landslide terrain. Finally, we propose a conceptual model for the evolution of DSLs on monoclinal flysch morphostructures, particularly where coherent sandstone caps overlie weak claystone/siltstone-dominated flysch. In these conditions, we distinguish between “low” and “high” monoclinal ridges, where the former is capped by relatively thin sandstones overlying claystone formations and sandstones predominate in the structure of the latter. We show that the density of DSLs on the cataclinal/dip slopes is similar on both types of monoclinal ridges, but that major differences exist in the evolution of anaclinal/escarpment slopes. Here, low monoclinal ridges are highly affected by DSLs, but escarpments of high monoclinal ridges are nearly devoid of any DSLs.

Organic-matter vitrinite reflectance variability in the Outer Carpathians, Poland: relationship to tectonic evolution

Random vitrinite reflectance of allochthonous plant material varies throughout all the flysch sedimentary units of the Outer Western Carpathians. The vitrinite reflectance of coalified phytogenic matter is variable even within the same lithostratigraphic unit. There is no clear relationship between random vitrinite reflectance and stratigraphy (age of particular strata) within surface samples. The typical pattern of increasing random reflectance with depth in boreholes is unsettled by R r o “jumps” which occur within folds and overthrusts. However, this study revealed a trend of increasing random vitrinite reflectance from north to south in the area of the Magura Unit. A compressional regime involving phases of uplift and burial, varying from place to place in the flysch basin, was the main factor influencing coalification. The initial maturity of organic matter transported to the marine environment was a secondary factor. A degree of coalification had occurred in the flysch sediments prior to the main stage of fold-and-thrust movements associated with the phase of maximum tectonic subsidence at the end of the Eocene. It is generally assumed that coalified plant material dispersed in sedimentary rocks experienced the same physical and chemical changes as those in larger accumulations of coal. Coalification of phytogenic material coeval with flysch in the Outer Carpathians corresponds to the interval from sub-bituminous to low-medium-rank bituminous coal.

An integrated paleomagnetic and magnetic anisotropy study of the Oligocene flysch from the Dukla nappe, Outer Western Carpathians, Poland

Abstract The Dukla Nappe belongs to the Outer Western Carpathians, which suffered considerable shortening due to the convergence and collision of the European and African plates. In this paper we present new paleomagnetic and magnetic anisotropy results from the Polish part of the Dukla Nappe, based on 102 individually oriented cores from nine geographically distributed localities. Susceptibility measurements and mineralogy investigations showed that paramagnetic minerals are important contributors to susceptibility anisotropy (AMS). The AMS fabrics are related to deposition/compression (foliation) and weak tectonic deformation (lineation). The AARM fabric, that of the ferrimagnetic minerals, seems to be a less sensitive indicator of tectonic deformation than the AMS fabric. The inclination-only test points to the pre-folding age of the remanent magnetizations. Seven localities exhibit CCW rotation, a single one shows CW rotation. The CCW rotated paleomagnetic directions form two groups, one showing large, the other moderate CCW rotation. Previously published paleomagentic directions from the Slovak part of the same nappe exhibit smeared distribution between them. The declination of the overall-mean paleomagnetic direction for the Dukla nappe is similar to those observed in the neighbouring Magura and Silesian nappes, but it is of poorer quality. The AMS lineations at several localities are deviating more to the west from the present north than that of the local tectonic strikes. A possible explanation for this is that the AMS lineations were imprinted first, probably still in the Oligocene, while the sediments were soft (ductile deformation) and the folding and tilting took place during the CCW rotation.

Pseudokarst caves of the Outer Western Carpathians, Czechia

ABSTRACTThe paper presents complex results of a dataset related to the pseudokarst caves in the area of the Czech Outer Western Carpathians. We collected the data from all 130 discovered and described caves of different types and dimensions in various geomorphic units and lithologies. We mainly focus on the results of the morphometric parameters of the caves as well as of the areas with their entrances. The final map sheet presents the Main Map with the position of the caves, their size category, type, classification of the position within the slope deformation and natural protection status. Moreover, the final map sheet also contains a supplementary map of the distribution of the caves, diagrams of their morphometric parameters, detailed maps of Mraznica and Cyrilka Caves, a graph of overwintering bat species in Cyrilka Cave and structural measurement diagrams. The map is intended to be used as introductory material into the problems of pseudokarst caves.

Properties, durability and use of glauconitic Godula sandstones: a relatively less known building stone of the Czech Republic and Poland

Greenish glauconitic sandstones from the Middle Member of the Godula Formation of the Outer Western Carpathians flysch belt represent traditional building stone used in the north-eastern part of the Czech Republic and adjoining part of south Poland for about a thousand years. Despite the longstanding history of their utilisation in constructions and monuments, the amount of information about properties, durability and places of use is given in the existing literature only to a very limited extent. The Godula sandstones under study exhibit a high bulk density (up to 2610 kg/m3), relatively low water absorption capacity (0.7–3.0 wt%) and total porosity (1.7–9.4%), high values of P-wave velocity within psammitic rocks (3120–4290 m/s), and high to very high strength (uniaxial compressive strength 102.7–155.8 MPa, splitting tensile strength 4.0–10.0 MPa). However, in contrast to high quality of stone properties, the degree of their durability especially in the case of exterior use may often be very low, and stone deterioration can frequently advance very rapidly. Godula sandstones are characterised by a significant dominance of pores with diameter smaller than 1 μm. The character of pore space represents the principal and general reason of Godula sandstone deterioration susceptibility. Deterioration rate and specific weathering forms are subsequently strongly affected, in detail, by the heterogeneity of the mineralogical composition and anisotropy of rock texture within the individual sandstone bed. The data about composition, properties and stability of the Godula sandstones published in this paper could help architects or designers to understand the decay causes experienced by these types of sandstones and how to prevent them and may also serve as a guide for restoration and conservation works.

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.

Detailed spatio‐temporal sediment supply reconstruction using tree roots data

AbstractFloods are an important geomorphic agent that accelerate sediment supply from bank failures. The quantitative proportions supplied by lateral inputs and the transport conditions of the channel can create local or extended accumulation zones within the channel reaches. These accumulation zones play an important role in the geomorphic regime of the stream. Knowledge of long‐term history of sediment supply is necessary to determine how these input and deposition forms developed. This study introduces a new approach for the quantification of past sediment supply via lateral erosion (incised banks and individual bank failures), using a case study of the confluence of three partial tributaries in the accumulation zone in the Outer Western Carpathians. For each tributary, as well as the channel reach downstream of the confluence zone, we calculated the mean of the largest bed particles and the unit stream power as indicators of transport capacity. We found that two of the tributaries supply significant amounts of sediment to the accumulation zone because of their higher unit stream power related to their higher transport potential, and observed coarser bed sediment. Seventy‐three bank failures with a total volume 395.5 m3 were mapped, and the sediment supply volume was dated using dendrogeomorphic analysis of 114 scarred tree roots (246 samples). The total volume of the dated sediment supply in the individual tributaries was 193.9 m3, whereas the volume of erosion in the accumulation zone was only 4.9 m3 for a period of approximately 30 years. The period represented by the dated tree roots included 12 years in which erosion events occurred and impacted the total sediment budget in the study area. Although sediment supply was greater than erosion in the accumulation zone, there are no present‐day signs of accretion. The rupture of a dam in an old pond (which is situated approximately 50 m below the accumulation zone) probably increased the transport conditions in the accumulation zone so that it balanced the high sediment supply from individual tributaries. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Tectonic strain changes affecting the development of deep seated gravitational slope deformations in the Bohemian Massif and Outer Western Carpathians

This paper describes a pair of intensively studied deep seated gravitational slope deformations from the Czech Republic. Structural geological mapping and the interrogation of high resolution LiDAR DEMs have been used to reassess the extent of each slope deformation and to obtain new information about their surface morphologies. Electrical resistivity tomography has been used to image the subsurface structures while rod dilatometers and permanently installed mechanical extensometers have been used to define their kinematic behaviour. Dilatometric measurements from across a fissure the edge of the Mužský Hill DSGSD show that the progressive trend has been interspersed by five periods of movement acceleration since monitoring began in 1990 while extensometric measurements from across a second fissure about 50m from the edge of the plateau show that this discontinuity was affected by an significant period of extension from 2004 to 2006 and a significant period of compression from 2006 to 2008. These data demonstrate that the Mužský Hill DSGSD is characterised by the lateral spreading of rigid sandstone blocks across a plastic marl formation at the edge of Příhrazy Plateau. Extensometric measurements from the Kněhyně Mountain DSGSD show that a fault located at a depth of about 25m below the surface is characterised by progressive dilation whereas a fault located at a depth of about 57.5m below the surface is characterised by episodic vertical dip-slip displacements. Both faults are affected by horizontal dextral strike slip displacements. These data demonstrate that the Kněhyně Mountain DSGSD is characterised by translational rocksliding associated with the neotectonic uplift of the Outer Western Carpathians. The presented kinematic data have been compared to records of precipitation, groundwater level, earthquakes, and strain changes measured by the fault displacement monitoring network EU-TecNet. Strain changes induced by the widespread redistribution of stress through the crustal appear to represent an important and hitherto underappreciated geomorphological process affecting the development of the slope deformations at Mužský Hill and Kněhyně Mountain. Future research will focus discovering whether this finding holds true for other deep seated gravitational slope deformations in different geomorphological and geological settings.

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.

Tithonian–early Berriasian perisphinctoid ammonites from the Štramberk Limestone at Kotouč Quarry near Štramberk, Outer Western Carpathians (Czech Republic)

The present contribution deals with the taxonomy of 11 species of perisphinctoid ammonite recovered recently from the Štramberk Limestone as exposed at the Kotouč Quarry (Štramberk, Moravia). The majority of these are described from this unit for the first time. In the stratigraphic evaluation, finds of ammonites from other localities within the quarry, which were published by us in 2013 and 2014, are included. Ammonites recorded from beyond the continuous section document a stratigraphic range from upper lower Tithonian to lower Berriasian inclusive. In addition to taxonomy and new ontogenetic data of some species, we also present information on the distribution of species recognised and on their palaeogeographic distribution, as well as data on the structural composition of the Homole Block at Kotouč Quarry.

Comparison of earthworm populations in arable and grassland fields in the Outer Western Carpathians, South Poland

AbstractThe impact of different geographical regions (Silesian Foothills, region 1 and Maly Beskids, region 2), and method of soil use (arable field and grassland) on the main soil properties and biological activity was studied. Earthworm biomass, density and diversity, as well as dehydrogenase activity, were analysed. Significant soil physical and chemical properties were more affected by regions, whereas the type of land use had a greater impact on the biological properties. The mean earthworm density was 213 ind. m

Evolution of the passive margin of the peripheral foreland basin: an example from the Lower Miocene Carpathian Foredeep (Czech Republic)

Abstract The Karpatian deposits of the central part of the Carpathian Foredeep in Moravia, which are deeply buried under the Outer Western Carpathians, provide a unique opportunity to reconstruct the former evolutionary stages of this peripheral foreland basin and its paleogeography. A succession of three depositional units characterized by a distinct depositional environment, provenance, and partly also foreland basin depozone, have been identified. The first depositional unit represents a proximal forebulge depozone and consists of lagoon-estuary and barred coastline deposits. The source from the “local” crystalline basement played here an important role. The second depositional unit consists of coastline to shallow marine deposits and is interpreted as a forebulge depozone. Tidalites recognized within this unit represent the only described tide-generated deposits of the Neogene infill of the Carpathian Foredeep basin in Moravia. The source from the basin passive margin (the Bohemian Massif) has been proved. The third depositional unit is formed by offshore deposits and represents a foredeep depozone. The provenance from both passive and active basin margin (Silesian Unit of the Western Carpathian Flysch Zone) has been proved. Thus, both a stepwise migration of the foredeep basin axis and shift of basin depozones outwards/cratonwards were documented, together with forebulge retreat. The shift of the foreland basin depozones more than 50 km cratonward can be assumed. The renewed thrusting along the basin’s active margin finally completely changed the basin shape and paleogeography. The upper part of the infill was deformed outside the prograding thrust front of flysch nappes and the flysch rocks together with a strip of Miocene sediments were superposed onto the inner part of the basin. The width and bathymetric gradient of the entire basin was changed/reduced and the deposition continued toward the platform. The basin evolution and changes in its geometry are interpreted as a consequence of the phases of the thrust-sheet stacking and sediment loading in combination with sea-level change.

An assessment of non-volant terrestrial vertebrates response to wind farms--a study of small mammals.

The majority of studies on the effects of wind energy development on wildlife have been focused on birds and bats, whereas knowledge of the response of terrestrial, non-flying vertebrates is very scarce. In this paper, the impact of three functioning wind farms on terrestrial small mammal communities (rodents and shrews) and the population parameters of the most abundant species were studied. The study was carried out in southeastern Poland within the foothills of the Outer Western Carpathians. Small mammals were captured at 12 sites around wind turbines and at 12 control sites. In total, from 1200 trap-days, 885 individuals of 14 studied mammal species were captured. There was no difference in the characteristics of communities of small mammals near wind turbines and within control sites; i.e. these types of sites were inhabited by a similar number of species of similar abundance, similar species composition, species diversity (H′ index) and species evenness (J′) (Pielou’s index). For the two species with the highest proportion in the communities (Apodemus agrarius and Microtus arvalis), the parameters of their populations (mean body mass, sex ratio, the proportion of adult individuals and the proportion of reproductive female) were analysed. In both species, none of the analysed parameters differed significantly between sites in the vicinity of turbines and control sites. For future studies on the impact of wind turbines on small terrestrial mammals in different geographical areas and different species communities, we recommend the method of paired ‘turbine-control sites’ as appropriate for animal species with pronounced fluctuations in population numbers.

Anthropogenic impact and morphology channel response of Beskydian gravel-bed rivers: a case study of the Ostravice River, Czechia

This paper presents an analysis of both the contemporary and historic development of the geomorphic regime of the Ostravice River channel in the Czech part of the Outer Western Carpathians. The assessment concentrates on the conditions and causes of the channel development in the last 200 years compared with the state of European channels. The original anabranching river pattern has gradually been replaced by a single narrowed channel. At some sections, the original riverbed has lowered by as much as 2.5 m in the second half of the 20th century. These changes were due to strong anthropogenic impacts in the form of river-channel control and construction of dams. A large influence on the contemporary processes was also exerted by changed hydrological conditions and a predisposition of flysch lithology in a channel bedrock to erosion. Currently, the deficit of transportable sedimentary material along with the changed morphology of channels with concentrated water flows are intensifying erosion processes.