Piping forms in the Bieszczady Mountains (Eastern Carpathians)

The aim of this paper is to present the piping forms in the Bieszczady Mts., their morphology and morphometry. Piping as a mechanical removal of soil by subsurface concentrated water flow leads to the formation of underground channels (pipes). They become visible on the surface when a pipe roof collapses. Subsequently, surface piping forms are created. Sometimes a pipe inlet or a pipe outlet can be located. The piping forms and features are described and characterized - both erosional (sinkhole, closed depression, blind gully) and depositional (piping fan). Finally, the comparison of piping forms in different regions of the world is presented

The role of anthropopressure in the transformation of high mountain areas (Tatra and Monts Dore Mountains)

Under an extensive tourist penetration, mountain areas have been experiencing a high degree of anthropogenic degradation. Tourist traffic leads to the destruction of vegetation along roads and paths and nearby facilities, largely as a result of a considerable acceleration of geomorphologic processes. The paper presents certain environmental considerations, including relief, geology and climate, as well as micro-relief within tourist paths and morphogenetic processes infl uencing slope transformation within tourist areas in selected mountain areas. The general issue of the tourist-infl uenced degradation was discussed using two high mountain areas: the Tatras and Monts Dore mountains (Massif Central, France). In all of those areas, the anthropogenic geomorphologic features are highly diversifi ed and well visible in the overall land relief. Tourist paths, roads and ski pistes constitute areas of overlapping natural and anthropogenic degradation. Wherever the natural vegetation, and especially the turf cover has been destroyed a state of permanent imbalance can be observed, as well as the development of crionival, aeolian and pluvial relief. The natural and anthropogenic processes infl uencing the morphodynamics of the roads and paths greatly vary in rate depending on the ground resistance, slope inclination and exposure, morphodynamical tier, type of surface, vegetation cover, season of the year and the intensity of the tourist traffic. Human activity in the mountains accelerates the circulation of energy and matter within individual slopes but sometimes also within entire massifs. The Monts Dore massif revealed the greatest degradation of its paths and tourist roads, followed by the Tatras

Fluvial landforms and processes in the region of the Aegean Sea, based on Ikaria Island (Greece)

Main aims of the research were: i) to assess the degree of development of fluvial landforms on Aegean Islands and ii) to determine the influence of fluvial processes on modification of islands relief. Field studies were conducted on the Ikaria Island, with highly diversified geology and relief, typical of mountainous islands of the Aegean Sea. The island is heavily dissected by deeply incised valleys and gorges with very steep slopes. The valleys on Ikaria Island vary in size, direction, geological setting and maturity. In the four small catchments located in the northern part of the Ikaria Island four types of valleys (from 1st to 4th order, according to Strahler) were studies in detail. Uppermost parts of these valleys (1st order valleys) have slightly concave cross-sections covered with regolith without developed channels. Such forms gradually evolve into 2nd order valleys with seasonal river channels, and further downstream, into well developed deep river valleys. Ravines with channels incised into solid rock are characteristic of the 3rd order valleys. The 4th order valleys are well developed, deeply incised gorges with wide channels sometimes accompanied by river terraces. Channels of small streams, rivers and field tracks in the mountains are subject to differentiated modelling by running water. In islands of the Aegean Sea, intensity of this modelling is diversified and rather small. It depends mostly on rainfall intensity, bedrock resistance to erosion, slope inclination and aspect. Catastrophic hydrometeorological events such as one which occurred in Ikaria in October, 2010, are responsible for rapid modification of whole valley floors and modification of river channels at lower river runs, within deltas and alluvial fans