Geomorfologický výskum vysokohorskej oblasti a jeho aplikácie v krajinnej ekológii

Abstract

The primary objective of the article is to show the possible applications of methods and results of geomorphological research in landscape ecology especially for the studies focused on the high mountains. On the first place, it is crucial to point out the importance of the cooperation between geomorphology and geoecology in landscape studies. Mountain regions after lowlands and valleys are the most manimpacted zone in Slovakia. One of the important areas of geomorphological research is monitoring the relief dynamics and changes by the geomorphologic processes. These processes are the most active in the extreme relief of the high mountains especially above the tree line. The study was performed in the Jalovecká Valley, the Západné Tatry Mts. Regular measurement of horizontal and vertical changes of relief by erosive processes have been undertaken in a two-year period. Solifluction-gravitational processes and their forms cause very dynamic changes in relief, erosive intensity in centimeter scale, whereas the water induced and nivation-eolic processes that lead to the total destruction of soil and weathered rock layers cause the relief changes in centimeters to decimeters in extend. On the other hand, observed avalanche slopes including extreme avalanche slopes that are strengthened by grass and bush vegetation showed to be relatively stable due to developed soil layer against the erosive processes. In such ecosystems, avalanche is the equilibrium factor that leads to development of early succession ecosystems. Understanding of geoecological processes is extremely important for the evaluation of ecological stability of mountain landscape.