Inland Dunes in the Agricultural Area of the Uniejów Commune Cover Image

Wydmy śródlądowe na rolniczym obszarze gminy Uniejów
Inland Dunes in the Agricultural Area of the Uniejów Commune

Author(s): Elżbieta Kobojek
Subject(s): Rural and urban sociology, Environmental interactions
Published by: Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Łódzkiego
Keywords: inland dunes;rural settlements;land use;the Uniejów commune

Summary/Abstract: Inland dunes are an important element of the lowland relief in Poland. The distinguishing features of the dune ecosystem, which include an outstanding homogeneity of the material (fine-grained and medium-grained sands), mineral composition dominated by quartz, the permeability and dryness of the substrate, very weak soils, as well as the poverty of nutrients for plants – have a significant impact on the way they are used. Currently, in central Poland, the dunes are mainly forested. Within the Uniejów commune, most inland dunes occur in the Warta valley. The article presents the distribution and origin of dunes, the features of the ecosystem, forms of contemporary use, and changes in this use over the last hundred years. Similarly to other regions of the country, the dunes in the Uniejów commune are mostly forested. Particular attention was paid to the role of dunes in the location of rural buildings in the Warta Valley. Dry, sandy dune areas remaining outside the reach of flood waters of the multi-channel Warta system were more favourable for development than periodically flooded parts of the valley floor. The extent of rural development – compact and dispersed – has hardly changed over the last hundred years.

  • Issue Year: 2024
  • Issue No: 13
  • Page Range: 7-32
  • Page Count: 26
  • Language: Polish
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