Origin and development of Wielkie Torfowisko Batorowskie in Stolowe Mountains

Abstract

Mountain landscape is not suitable for peatland development. To access the genesis of mountain peat-bog development one should consider mainly the geological and tectonical structure of the investigating site and then respectively follow the changes in climate, which will characterise the peat accumulation during time. Nowadays plant cover shows the state of peatland in its development. Wielkie Torfowisko Batorowskie is a peatland situated at the southwest part of Poland in Stołowe Mountains, which are mainly built of marls and sandstones. The maximum depth of the peat is 520 cm in which we can distinguish about 350 cm layer of highmoor peat on the top of the profile, 20 cm of topogenous one and 140 cm of fen peat on the bottom. The bedrock is marl. Approximately one hundred years ago the bog was afforested by Norway spruce (Picea abies). Another artificial influence was to cross the peatland and its catchment by ditches. The sediment basin was formed due to land collapsing on the lines of faults. The water supply came from the springs of groundwater level in sandstones. This hydrological situation classifies the object as a bog-spring. Plant cover indicates the highmoor character of the peatland. The genesis of Wielkie Torfowisko Batorowskie strictly depended on litological and tectonic situation in the bedrock and that were main factors allowing the site for peat accumulation