Changes in the area of glades in the upper forest vertical zone in the Gorce Mts from 1954 to 2003 Cover Image

Zmiany powierzchni górnoreglowych polan gorczańskich w latach 1954-2003
Changes in the area of glades in the upper forest vertical zone in the Gorce Mts from 1954 to 2003

Author(s): Natalia Tokarczyk
Subject(s): Cultural Essay, Political Essay, Societal Essay
Published by: Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Jagiellońskiego
Keywords: renaturalization; changes in the area; upper forest vertical-zone; glades; Gorce Mts

Summary/Abstract: The renaturalization process, being a result of the end of grazing and mowing, leads to a gradual disappearance of glades. The total area of analyzed glades in the Gorce Mts. was in 2003 by 125.69 ha less than in 1954 i.e. – 1/3 the original. Two small glades had become completely overgrown, other had become fragmented. The rate of forest expansion had not been the same an all the investigated glades. In the Gorce Mts most of the glades are private. For this reason any protective activities conducted by the Gorce National Park encounter hindrances. A decline in biodiversity and a decrease in the tourist attractiveness of the mountain landscape are the most important negative results of the glades overgrowing.

  • Issue Year: 2011
  • Issue No: 128
  • Page Range: 6-16
  • Page Count: 11
  • Language: Polish