The character of bed sediments reflects fluvial processes and the dynamics of material transport in fluvial (dis)continuum systems. The approach in this study was based on the measurement of the five largest boulders located within a channel, and on the observation of changes in their size in the longitudinal profi le of headwater streams Kobylská and Pulčínský potok. All three axes (dimensions) of the five largest boulders were measured at 10 ± 1m intervals of the longitudinal profile. The resulting trends in a particle-size index reflect the character of sediment delivery into the channel segment. The largest boulders were observed in channel sections with a strong interaction of slope processes. But local lithological conditions affect changes of the mean value of the particle-size index of the largest boulders. The role of slope processes can be accentuated by the presence of uniform sandstone lithology of the studied bed particles. In the lithology built by claystone layers the role of slope processes has problematic identification. The main reason is erodible character of claystone layers which affects sediment supply of finer particles from adjacent slopes into the channel segment.The character of bed sediments reflects fluvial processes and the dynamics of material transport in fluvial (dis)continuum systems. The approach in this study was based on the measurement of the five largest boulders located within a channel, and on the observation of changes in their size in the longitudinal profi le of headwater streams Kobylská and Pulčínský potok. All three axes (dimensions) of the five largest boulders were measured at 10 ± 1m intervals of the longitudinal profile. The resulting trends in a particle-size index reflect the character of sediment delivery into the channel segment. The largest boulders were observed in channel sections with a strong interaction of slope processes. But local lithological conditions affect changes of the mean value of the particle-size index of the largest boulders. The role of slope processes can be accentuated by the presence of uniform sandstone lithology of the studied bed particles. In the lithology built by claystone layers the role of slope processes has problematic identification. The main reason is erodible character of claystone layers which affects sediment supply of finer particles from adjacent slopes into the channel segment
