Geographia Polonica (1978) vol. 41

Leszek Starkel [starkel@zg.pan.krakow.pl], Institute of Geography and Spatial Organization Polish Academy of Sciences, Św. Jana 22, 31-018 Kraków, Poland

Adam Kertesz, Geographical Research Institute, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
Jeno Szilard, Geographical Research Institute, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest

Abstract

The Carpathian river valleys experience catastrophic floods every few years. Floods are the result of continuous rainfall with daily amounts exceed-ing 100 mm (T. Niedźwiedź, 1972). Floods play the major role in channel transformation and they are moving waste materials accumulated in the val-ley-floors at flood-free intervals (K. Brykowicz et al., 1972; W. Froehlich, 1972; M. Gałka, 1973; M. Klimaszewski, 1935; M. Niemirowski, 1972; L. Starkel, 1972; M. Woźnowski, 1935; A. Zierhoffer, 1935; T. Ziętara, 1968, 1974). Both intensity and magnitude of the waste removal process is reflected in the sus-pended sediment transport. During floods the Carpathian rivers can carry more than half of the material transported per year (J. Brański, 1968; J. Cyberski, 1969; W. Froehlich, 1972; Z. Kajetanowicz, 1938; A. Welc, 1972; H. Ziemska, 1928). For this reason, detailed studies of the then removed material are neces-sary to know the extreme intensities of the present-day waste removal from the Carpathian flysch catchments.Both the activities of man and land use affect the transport of materials by rivers (J. Douglas, 1967). Researches into the mechanism of sediment transport-ation during floods and of waste supply from the small catchments with various land use have as yet been lacking.

Wojciech Froehlich, Homerka Laboratory of Fluvial Processes, Institute of Geography, Polish Academy of Sciences, Frycowa, Poland

Sandor Somogyi, Geographical Research Institute, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest

Abstract

Land use is one of the important factors which differentiate both the quan-titative and qualitative water cycle structures in the soil. The term land use refers to the spatial arrangement of both vegetation cover and the agricultural activities of man. The knowledge of relationships between soil water cycle and land use makes it possible to determine the impact of man on the water cycle and to control the soil water cycle by rational land use.The above problem is discussed by taking as example the results of conti-nuous measurements at Szymbark in the flysch Carpathians. The study area is situated on the boundary of two major relief types: the Carpathian Foothills and the Beskidy Mts. (Beskid Niski, L. Starkel, 1973). In the Foothill region, slopes consist of flysch series with prevailing shales on which loamy soils have developed. Slopes are occupied by cultivated land. The forested Beskidian slopes are mostly made up of flysch sandstone and have loamy soils with high frequencies of skeletal particles. Forests are still in their natural state there (J. Staszkiewicz, 1973).

January Słupik, Institute of Geography and Spatial Organization Polish Academy of Sciences, Św. Jana 22, 31-018 Kraków, Poland

Kazimierz Więckowski, Institute of Geography and Spatial Organization Polish Academy of Sciences, Twarda 51/55, 00‑818 Warszawa, Poland

Abstract

The title of our paper suggests a very broad theme. It is well known that in the course of social development, mankind has extended its agricultural activity over large areas in order to meet the demand for more food and, by doing this, has significantly transformed the natural environment. At the same time, man has altered the progress of natural processes preceding human im-pact.In our short paper we obviously cannot undertake even a roughly outlined survey of this group of problems, and neither do we see it as our task to discuss general theories. Instead we briefly analyse the changes that take place in a selected model area, the alteration of the natural processes as a result of agricultural production. Our aim is to determine the possible effects of furth-er intervention.

Sandor Marosi, Geographical Research Institute, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest
Sandor Papp, Geographical Research Institute, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest

Leon Kozacki, Institute of Geography, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznari