EBOOK Transformation of the natural environment in Western Sorkapp Land (Spitsbergen) since the 1980

e-ISBN: 978-83-233-8701-5

Western Sorkapp Land is a very remote and diverse region, which is representative of the European Arctic.
The book describes the transformation of the environment and landscape of Western Sorkapp Land based on research data collected by Jagiellonian University scientific expeditions in the period 1980-1986 and 2008. Western Sorkapp Land has been experiencing dramatic natural changes such as glacial recession, the emergence of new landforms and Quaternary deposits as well as changes in the water drainage and network due to global warming. The establishment of South Spitsbergen National Park has led to a regeneration of the local reindeer herd and consequently the overgrazing of the local tundra resulting in altered plant communities. The transformation of Western Sorkapp Land will continue and its potential directions are outlined in the book.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Wiesław Ziaja, Introduction  7
Wiesław Ziaja, Krzysztof Ostafi n, Study area  9
Methods and materials
Wiesław Ziaja, Justyna Dudek, Landscape research  17
Michał Węgrzyn, Maja Lisowska, Maria Olech, Piotr Osyczka, Botanical research  21
Components of natural environment
Wiesław Ziaja, Bedrock  27
Wiesław Ziaja, Climate  29
Wiesław Ziaja, Glaciation  31
Wiesław Ziaja, Terrain relief  33
Wiesław Ziaja, Waters 39
Michał Węgrzyn, Maja Lisowska, Maria Olech, Piotr Osyczka, Vegetation  43
Environmental and landscape changes
Wiesław Ziaja, Climate warming  49
Wiesław Ziaja, Justyna Dudek, Glacial recession  51
Wiesław Ziaja, Krzysztof Ostafi n, Justyna Dudek, Transformation of landforms and Quaternary deposits  61
Wiesław Ziaja, Krzysztof Ostafi n, Changes of water drainage and networks  67
Michał Węgrzyn, Maja Lisowska, Maria Olech, Piotr Osyczka, Changes in vegetation  69
Plant communities in 1982–1985  69
Plant communities in 2008 – changes over the last 25 years  75
Causes of changes  78
Conclusions and prognosis for environmental change
Wiesław Ziaja, Landscape development 85
Michał Węgrzyn, Maja Lisowska, Maria Olech, Piotr Osyczka, Vegetation changes  87
References  89
List of enclosures (maps)  93