Retention potential and hydrological balance of a peat bog: case study of Rokytka Moors, Otava River headwaters, sw. Czechia

The paper summarizes findings about preservation and hydrological conditions of Rokytka Moors situated in the Vydra River headwaters, sw. Czechia. Special attention is paid to the evaluation of their water retention capacity. Due to the significant phenomenon of peat bogs in the study area, the assessment of factors affecting their retention potential represents a component in the discussion on flood protection and measures aimed at increasing runoff in dry periods. The main focus is directed at findings of runoff dynamics dependence on the ground water table in the peatland. Authors thus give attention to the assessment of the Rokytka Moors hydrological function, which represents a typical example of an peat bog in an environment of most of the evaluated parts of Šumava Mts. The research is based on a detailed pedological analysis of the Rokytka Brook catchment, on analysis of an peat bog ground water table time series and on data obtained by monitoring the water stage, discharge respectively, in the profile of the draining stream.