Recent Deforestation Pattern Changes (2000–2017) in the Central Carpathians: A Gray-Level Co-Occurrence Matrix and Fractal Analysis Approach

The paper explores the distribution of tree cover and deforested areas in the Central Carpathians in the central-east part of Romania, in the context of the anthropogenic forest disturbances and sustainable forest management. The study aims to evaluate the spatiotemporal changes in deforested areas due to human pressure in the Carpathian Mountains, a sensitive biodiverse European ecosystem. We used an analysis of satellite imagery with Landsat-7 Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus (Landsat-7 ETM+) from the University of Maryland (UMD) Global Forest Change (GFC) dataset. The workflow started with the determination of tree cover and deforested areas from 2000–2017, with an overall accuracy of 97%. For the monitoring of forest dynamics, a Gray-Level Co-occurrence Matrix analysis (Entropy) and fractal analysis (Fractal Fragmentation-Compaction Index and Tug-of-War Lacunarity) were utilized. The increased fragmentation of tree cover (annually 2000–2017) was demonstrated by the highest values of the Fractal Fragmentation-Compaction Index, a measure of the degree of disorder (Entropy) and heterogeneity (Lacunarity). The principal outcome of the research reveals the dynamics of disturbance of tree cover and deforested areas expressed by the textural and fractal analysis. The results obtained can be used in the future development and adaptation of forestry management policies to ensure sustainable management of exploited forest areas.

The influence of the deep seated geological structures on the landscape morphology of the Dunajec River catchment area, Central Carpathians, Poland and Slovakia

The area of the Dunajec river basin includes several geological units in the Central Carpathian region at the Polish-Slovakian borderland. The paper focuses on the geomorphometric parameters of the drainage system to recognize the influence of the deep seated geological structures on the morphology of the Dunajec river basin (Central Carpathians). The study were enriched with analysis of the geological maps and lineaments extracted from Digital Elevation Model. According to the obtained results, the massive NW-SE trending fault zones play a vital role in the geological architecture of the researched area. The development of the secondary fault structures has been determined by these dislocations and the manifestation of their activity can be observed as deformations of some of the other tectonic structures along the main fault zones, especially at the folds’ axes. Additionally, the geometric and morphometric features of the drainage system have also been influenced by the activity of these deep structures. The tectonic activity represented by the level of morphological rejuvenation, visible in the light of the morphometric parameters of the streams and the drainage basins, varies greatly between the tectonic units. This diversity is caused by both the lithological and structural features of these geological units.

Biostratigraphy, geochemistry and sedimentology of Middle to Late Jurassic strata in the Strážovce section (Strážovské vrchy Mts), Krížna Nappe of the Central Carpathians, Slovakia

The Jurassic / Lower Cretaceous sequence of the Strážovce section has been deposited in the central, axial part of the Zliechov Basin. Its most characteristic part – the Ždiar Formation consists of bedded siliceous radiolarian limestones and radiolarites. The radiolarian assemblage typical of the North Tethyan Bioprovince lived during mid Oxfordian – Early Kimmeridgian in a warm upper part of the well stratified water column, partially near to the thermocline. Radiolarian abundance decreases upwards. Productivity decrease is quantified by the share of biogenic SiO2 as well as by high EFSi values during sedimentation of both the Ždiar and Jasenina formations. The geochemical data indicate relatively stable volume of the siliciclastic component of the rocks and a felsic character comparable to the Average Shale. The chemically homogeneous sedimentary signal indicates values of both CPA and EF ≤ 1 of Ti, Zr, Fe, Na, K, Rb, V and U. The values of EF > 1 signal enrichment of elements with affinity to carbonate minerals (Sr, Mn, P, Y, and Mg). Metal enrichment (Cu, Zn and Ni) indicates metal mobilization from other sources or due to carbonate diagenesis. In comparison to the Average Shale, decreased ΣREE´s and negative Cech and Euch anomalies could be regarded as a typical deep sea water signal. The differentiated REE record of higher calcareous beds of the Jasenina Fm suggests basinal dysoxic conditions. The “bell-shape” of curves (normalized to shale) indicate that REEs were slightly affected by carbonate diagenesis. The Oxfordian / Kimmeridgian siliceous sedimentation in the Zliechov Basin was influenced probably more by monsoon-controlled input of land derived weathered material than by hydrothermal fluids from the bottom rifts.

Morphotectonic control of the Białka drainage basin (Central Carpathians): Insights from DEM and morphometric analysis.

The Białka river valley is directly related to a deep NNW-SSE oriented fault zone. According to the results of previous morphometric analyses, the Białka drainage basin is one of the most tectonically active zones in the Central Carpathians. It is also located within an area of high seismic activity. In this study Digital Elevation Model (DEM) based, morphometric analyses were used to investigate the morphotectonic conditions of the watershed. The results reveal the relationships between the main tectonic feature and the landforms within the research area. The lineaments, as obtained from the classified aspect map, seem to coincide with the orientation of the main structures as well as the trends revealed by the theoretical Riedel-Skempton shear model. Base-level and isolong maps support the conclusion that the Białka and Biały Dunajec fault zones exert a strong influence on the morphology of the adjacent area.