Vegetation succession over an area of a medieval ecological disaster. The case of the Błędów Desert, Poland

Auteur(s) et Affiliation(s)



Description :
Based on the analysis of maps from 1804, 1911, 1914 and 1933 and of aerial photographs taken in 1955, 1973 and 1996, changes in the landscape of the Błędów Desert area and in the outline of permanent and drift sands were estimated, as was the gradual overgrowth of the area. The study shows that over ca. 200 years, the vegetation succession in the desert, whose origin was a major mining and metallurgical industry that started in the 13th century, occurred in primary and secondary ways. The essential ecological and environmental importance of an initial phase involving algae and cyanobacteria was investigated. This involvement facilitated colonisation by species with high ecological requirements through the fixing of loose sands, moisture absorption and the retention and improvement in edaphic conditions.


Type de document :
Article de périodique

Source :
Erdkunde, issn : 0014-0015, 2010, vol. 64, n°. 3, p. 241-255, nombre de pages : 15, Références bibliographiques : 63 ref.

Date :
2010

Editeur :
Pays édition : Allemagne, Kleve, Boss