scholarly journals Changes in Thermal Conditions in the High Mountain Areas and Contemporary Warming in the Central Europe

2010 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 59-70 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elwira Żmudzka
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Characteristics ◽  
Thermal Conditions ◽  
Seasonal Distribution ◽  
High Mountain ◽  
Tatra Mountains ◽  
Upward Trend ◽  
Mountain Areas ◽  
Weather Stations ◽  
The Tatra Mountains

Abstract The purpose of the report is to determine trends in thermal conditions in the Polish part of the Tatra Mountains. The results of studies were compared with the results of analogous analyses, carried out for the area of lowland Poland. The study makes use of the data from the weather stations in Zakopane and on Kasprowy Wierch Mt. from the years 1951-2006, mainly from 1966-2006. The thermal conditions in lowland Poland was determined on the basis of the area-averaged time series (45 stations). Various thermal characteristics were considered. The increase of the rate of upward trend in temperature at the turn of the 21st century, as well as the change of the seasonal distribution of the warming in comparison with the preceding long-term periods, have been documented. Symptoms of increase of the thermal continentality have also been observed.

scholarly journals Postglacial talus slope development imaged by the ERT method: comparison of slopes from SW Spitsbergen, Norway and Tatra Mountains, Poland

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 1084-1097 ◽  
Author(s):  
Krzysztof Senderak ◽  
Marta Kondracka ◽  
Bogdan Gądek
Keyword(s):  
Internal Structure ◽  
Method Comparison ◽  
Electrode Spacing ◽  
High Mountain ◽  
Tatra Mountains ◽  
Mountain Areas ◽  
Geophysical Surveys ◽  
Talus Slope ◽  
Talus Slopes ◽  
The Tatra Mountains

Abstract Talus slopes are a common sedimentary formation both in polar and high-mountain areas, but their development is still not sufficiently understood. This article discusses the environmental factors that have been influencing development of talus slopes since the deglaciation and their impact on the internal structure of slopes. Case studies of the slopes from SW Spitsbergen and the Tatra Mountains in Poland were compared in order to explore different evolution stages. Slopes’ structure was analysed using geophysical surveys based on two-dimensional electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) with a Wenner-Schlumberger array and an electrode spacing of 5 m, combined with geomorphological observations. The investigated talus slopes represent the paraglacial, periglacial and talus-alluvial environments. New data on the internal structure of talus slopes developing in the present or past glaciated areas adds to understanding talus slope evolution. There are many different views concerning the development of slopes during the paraglacial period, whose analysis seems to be crucial in the background of climate change and their record in slope structures. In addition, the study provided valuable information on the development and degradation of permafrost in slope materials.

scholarly journals Long-term changes in the hydrological regime of high mountain Lake Morskie Oko (Tatra Mountains, Central Europe)

2017 ◽  
Vol 65 (2) ◽  
pp. 146-153 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mariusz Ptak ◽  
Dariusz Wrzesiński ◽  
Adam Choiński
Keyword(s):  
Atmospheric Precipitation ◽  
Hydrological Regime ◽  
Ice Cover ◽  
Mountain Lake ◽  
High Mountain ◽  
Tatra Mountains ◽  
High Mountain Lake ◽  
Long Term Changes ◽  
The Tatra Mountains

AbstractThe paper discusses changes in the hydrological regime of high mountain Lake Morskie Oko located in the Tatra Mountains, in the Tatra Mountains National Park, a UNESCO biosphere reserve (MaB). According to the research conducted in the years 1971–2015, its water stages decreased by 3.5 cm·dec−1, mean annual water temperature increased by 0.3°C·dec−1and the duration of ice phenomena and ice cover was reduced by 10 day·dec−1. No considerable changes in maximum values of ice cover thickness were recorded. Such tendencies are primarily caused by long-term changes in climatic conditions – air temperature and atmospheric precipitation. The hydrological regime of the lake was also determined by changes in land use in the lake’s catchment and its location in high mountains.

scholarly journals Frosty, Freezing and Severe Freezing Days and Their Synoptic Implications in Małopolska, Southern Poland, 1951–2000

2009 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 39-62 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zuzanna Bielec-Bąkowska ◽  
Ewa Łupikasza
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Characteristics ◽  
Tatra Mountains ◽  
Air Mass ◽  
Southern Poland ◽  
Probability Of Occurrence ◽  
The Carpathians ◽  
Southern Sector ◽  
Synoptic Conditions ◽  
The Tatra Mountains

Abstract This study discusses the occurrence of days with unique thermal characteristics for the period 1951-2000. The authors investigated longterm variability, probability of occurrence and synoptic conditions favourable to frosty (tmin≤0˚C ∧ tmax>0˚C), freezing (tmax<0˚C) and severe freezing (tmax<-10˚C) days at six stations in the southern part of Poland. The occurrence of frosty days is characterized by the highest diversity, both in spatial and temporal terms and these days depend on the landform to the highest degree. The number of freezing days ranged from 28-30 in the foothills of the Carpathians to 147 at 2000 m a.s.l. in the Tatra Mountains, with severe freezing days from ca. 2 to ca. 18 days respectively, though no distinct trends were noted in their long-term progression. The anticyclonic situations and air mass advection from the southern sector (frosty days), from the east, south-east and north (freezing and severe freezing days) were the most favourable for the days examined.

scholarly journals Terms and conditions of high-mountain lake ice-cover chemistry (Carpathians, Poland)

2015 ◽  
Vol 61 (230) ◽  
pp. 1207-1212 ◽  
Author(s):  
Iwona Kurzyca ◽  
Adam Choiński ◽  
Joanna Pociask-Karteczka ◽  
Agnieszka Lawniczak ◽  
Marcin Frankowski
Keyword(s):  
Water Body ◽  
Ice Cover ◽  
Multilayered Structure ◽  
Mountain Lake ◽  
High Mountain ◽  
Lake Ice ◽  
High Mountain Lake ◽  
Spatial Diversification ◽  
The Tatra Mountains

AbstractWe discuss the results of an investigation of the chemical composition of the ice cover on the high-mountain lake Morskie Oko in the Tatra Mountains, Carpathians, Poland. In the years 2007–13, the ice cover was characterized by an average duration of 6 months, a thickness range of 0.40–1.14 m, and a multilayered structure with water or slush inclusion. In water from the melted ice cover, chloride (max. 69%) and sulphate (max. 51%) anions and ammonium (max. 66%) and calcium (max. 78%) cations predominated. Different concentrations of ions (F−, Cl−, NO3−, SO42−, Na+, K+, Mg2+, Ca2+, NH4+) in the upper, middle and bottom layers of ice were observed, along with long-term variability and spatial diversification within the ice layer over the lake. Snowpack lying on the ice and the water body under the ice were also investigated, and the influence on the ice cover of certain ions in elevated concentrations was observed (e.g. Cl− in the upper ice cover and the snowpack, and Ca2+ in the bottom ice cover and water body).

Relationship Between the Number of Days with Thunderstorms and the Duration of Thunderstorms According to Visual and Instrumental Observations

2020 ◽  
pp. 30-36
Author(s):  
A.H. Adzhiev ◽  
G.V. Kupovykh ◽  
R.A. Gyatov ◽  
Z.M. Kerefova
Keyword(s):  
Observation Point ◽  
High Mountain ◽  
North Caucasus ◽  
The North ◽  
Instrumental Observations ◽  
Weather Stations ◽  
Long Term Observation ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Observation Period

For study the relationship between number of days with a thunderstorm recorded by weather stations and duration of thunderstorms in hours for these days, instrumental observations of the thunder direction-finding network of High-Mountain Geophysical Institute were used. We used data on thunderstorms in the North Caucasus for a long-term observation period in 2008-2019. Based on these data, they are grouped for various territories for analysis: the number of days with thunderstorms per month, per year, and the duration of thunderstorms per month and per year. A correlation analysis was performed between the number of days with thunderstorms and the duration of thunder-storms in hours according to LS 800 data. Thus, the dependence of the number of days with thunderstorms on the duration of thunderstorms is clearly traced - with an increase in the number of days with thunderstorms per year, the observation point increases in direct proportion to the duration of thunderstorms per year. With an increase in the number of days with thunderstorms on a given territory by one day, for the month in question, the duration of thunderstorms increases by 3.89 hours.

scholarly journals Negative effects of mass tourism on high mountain fauna: the case of the Tatra chamoisRupicapra rupicapra tatrica

Oryx ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 49 (3) ◽  
pp. 500-505 ◽  
Author(s):  
Łukasz Pęksa ◽  
Michał Ciach
Keyword(s):  
High Mountain ◽  
Sudden Increase ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Mountain Areas ◽  
Rupicapra Rupicapra ◽  
Mass Tourism ◽  
Hiking Trails ◽  
Large Numbers ◽  
Tourist Infrastructure ◽  
The Tatra Mountains

AbstractUntil recently animals inhabiting mountain areas were relatively free from disturbance by people but they are now coming under increasing pressure. Tourism, especially that involving large numbers of people, is having an ever more detrimental effect on the natural resources of high mountains, even in protected areas. We analyse the effect of tourist pressure on the population of the Tatra chamoisRupicapra rupicapra tatrica, which inhabits the strictly protected high-altitude habitats of the Tatra mountains (Carpathians, Poland). The Kasprowy Wierch cable car system, in operation since 1936, was modernized in 2007; as a consequence 50% more people can now be carried into the chamois’ habitat. The effect of this sudden increase in tourist pressure has been to reduce the size of herds (3.9 vs 5.3 individuals) and to increase the distance between the animals and the cable car station (1,664.0 vs 693.0 m), the cable car infrastructure (1,415.0 vs 467.8 m) and adjacent ski-lifts and ski pistes (1,214.2 vs 494.3 m). The distance to the marked hiking trails has not changed, however. Following the modernization of the cable cars, larger herds of chamois have been seen at greater distances from the tourist infrastructure. Our results indicate the adverse impact of this mass tourism. Human activities in high-mountain ecosystems need to have due consideration for the requirements of wild species, and the number of visitors needs to be controlled.

scholarly journals CONTRIBUTION TO KNOWLEDGE ON THE VARIABILITY OF AROLLA PINE WOODLANDS OF THE NORTH-EASTERN TATRA MOUNTAINS

2021 ◽  
Vol 56 ◽  
pp. 29-43
Author(s):  
Peter KUCERA ◽  
◽  
Peter BARANCOK ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Field Research ◽  
Soil Horizon ◽  
High Mountain ◽  
Tatra Mountains ◽  
Pinus Cembra ◽  
Habitat Variability ◽  
The North ◽  
North Eastern ◽  
The Tatra Mountains ◽  
North Eastern Part

Knowledge of the overall syntaxonomic and habitat variability of forest communities with Arolla pine (Pinus cembra) within the Tatra Mountains (Western Carpathians) is still insufficient as field research was hindered by their hardly accessible localities and deforestation for high mountain grazing. Arolla pine woodlands were traditionally classified within the association Pino cembrae-Piceetum Myczkowski et Lesinski 1974, but recent surveys recognize more numerous units. Hitherto unpublished releves from the north-eastern part of the Tatra Mountains document the occurrence of several floristically and ecologically distinct Arolla pine communities: (1) acid woodland of Homogyno alpinae-Pinetum cembrae on nutrient-poor habitats over quartzitic bedrock, and (2) calcareous woodlands of species-poor Pyrolo rotundifoliae-Pinetum cembrae of sites with a well-developed, tangled humus soil horizon, Cystopterido montanae-Pinetum cembrae on habitats influenced by both limestones and quartzites, Primulo elatioris-Pinetum cembrae bound to sites with the most favourable humidity, and Seslerio tatrae-Pinetum cembrae with the most pronounced calcareous character.

Communicating Climate Change to broad public through Educations - Project KlimaAlps

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cornelia Baumann ◽  
Inga Beck
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Scientific Information ◽  
Environmental Research ◽  
Background Information ◽  
High Mountain ◽  
Research Station ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
Mountain Areas ◽  
The Alps

&lt;p&gt;Education is key in order to create a generation that thinks and acts sustainable and that considers nature as one of the most important good.Within the three years Interreg Project &amp;#8216;KlimaAlps&amp;#8217; (www.klimaalps.eu) &amp;#8211; making climate change visible - one major task is the establishment of a training for educators, to become a certified &amp;#8216;Climate-Pedagogue&amp;#8217; for the alpine region. The &amp;#8216;Climate-Pedagogue&amp;#8217;-training contains background information of climate change in the Alps and a variety of innovative educational tools and methods. It covers aspects of the high mountain areas, rivers and lakes, human beings, agriculture as well as moors. &amp;#160;The project is managed by the &amp;#8216;Energiewende Oberland&amp;#8217;; five additional partners from Austria and Bavaria are responsible for e. g. a high quality of the taught scientific information (Environmental Research Station Schneefernerhaus), the didactical input (University of Innsbruck, Department of Geography), the outreach activities and the implementation (Naturpark Karwendel, Klimab&amp;#252;ndnis Ober&amp;#246;sterreich, Landratsamt Garmisch-Partenkirchen).&amp;#160;During the last one and half years, the concept for the &amp;#8216;Climate-Pedagogue&amp;#8217;- training was worked out in cooperation with other environmental facilities and in March 2021 the first lectures of a pilot run with over 30 selected participants were held. In total there will be two runs in 2021 in order to evaluate the recent version of the training as good as possible.&amp;#160;The next and long-term steps will be the firm establishment of a chargeable &amp;#8216;Climate-Pedagogue&amp;#8217; &amp;#8211; Training for every interested person for at least the coming ten years, as well as the strengthening and growing of the network.&amp;#160;The presentation will give a short overview about the entire project as well as details about the &amp;#8216;Climate-Pedagogue&amp;#8217; &amp;#8211; Training and some first impressions of the already hold lectures in 2021.&lt;/p&gt;

Expert’s Perceptions towards Management of Tourist Traffic in Protected Areas Based on the Tatra Mountains

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 443
Author(s):  
Anna DELEKTA ◽  
Joanna FIDELUS-ORZECHOWSKA ◽  
Anna CHROBAK
Keyword(s):  
Protected Areas ◽  
Interdisciplinary Research ◽  
National Park ◽  
Survey Method ◽  
Tatra Mountains ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Mountain Areas ◽  
Chi Square Test ◽  
The Tatra Mountains ◽  
Depth Interviews

Increasing human impact in mountain areas may constitute a challenge to national park authorities. Therefore, interdisciplinary research is important in order to address the various aspects of the functioning of protected areas. The purpose of the present study was to analyze perceptions of infrastructure and tourist traffic in the Tatra Mountains by tourist experts. Data were collected using the diagnostic survey method and in-depth interviews with experts. Statistical analysis included the use of the U-Mann-Whitney Test and the nonparametric Chi Square Test. Research has shown differences in the way both local transportation and restaurant services are viewed in the Polish and Slovakian parts of Tatras. Experts indicate that the main reason for increasing tourist traffic is that the Tatras are in fashion, while the key problem is excess litter generation.

Phytomass and phenology of three alpine snowpatch species across a natural snowmelt gradient

2007 ◽  
Vol 55 (4) ◽  
pp. 450 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susanna E. Venn ◽  
John W. Morgan
Keyword(s):  
Plant Species ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Growing Season ◽  
Plant Distribution ◽  
High Mountain ◽  
Flower Bud ◽  
Mountain Areas ◽  
Winter Snow ◽  
Landscape Scales

Alpine snowpatch vegetation in Australia is restricted to high mountain areas and occurs in locations where winter snow persists longest into the summer. The timing of annual snowmelt is considered an important determinant of vegetation patterns in alpine areas because it affects the length of the growing season for plant species at landscape scales. There are few studies in Australia that have examined the effects of the date of snowmelt on the performance of plant species at small spatial scales. The phytomass and phenology of three common snowpatch species (Celmisia pugioniformis, Luzula acutifolia, Poa fawcettiae) was examined during one growing season across a natural snowmelt gradient to examine their response to time of snow release. Peak phytomass was significantly higher in early than late-melting zones for L. acutifolia and marginally higher there for C. pugioniformis. P. fawcettiae, however, produced higher mean peak phytomass in late-melting zones where soil was initially wetter in the growing season. Flower buds of L. acutifolia were evident as the snow melted, and flowering occurred at the same time in all areas of the snowpatch. The number of days from the date of snowmelt to the date of the first observed flower bud in C. pugioniformis and P. fawcettiae was 22–25 days shorter in late-melting areas than in early melting areas. For both of these species, flowering and subsequent seed set occurred simultaneously across the snowpatch regardless of the date of the initial snowmelt, suggesting that photoperiod controls flowering in these species. Our study suggests that the predicted declines in snow cover in Australia in coming decades may affect the phytomass of species that are currently constrained by late-lying snow. This, in turn, may affect their long-term patterns of distribution. If plants respond to photoperiod for flowering, as seems to be important here for C. pugioniformis and P. fawcettiae, it is unlikely that the periods following earlier than usual snowmelt will be fully utilised by these species. Any attempts at predicting or modelling future alpine plant distribution on the basis of warming scenarios may therefore need to account for photoperiod constraints on flowering as well changes in phytomass production.

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