Natural and anthropogenic indicators of fluvial system changes, the Bobrza Valley (Holy Cross Mts) as an example

Abstract

Transformations of a fluvial system are caused both by natural factors and human pressure. These factors model the system independently at different times and with different intensities or they affect it simultaneously. The aim of this study is to identify the transformation of the Bobrza river valley system occurring under natural conditions and that occurring under the influence of human activity. The identification was based on specific indicators The study was conducted in the valley mouth of the Bobrza River (Holy Cross Mountains), where three research sites were located. The investigation concerned the relief of the valley and the mineral and organic deposits. A wide range of research methods were used during the study e.g. analysis of LiDAR data, macronutrient analysis, and radioactive dating. The analyses enabled the natural and anthropogenic transformations of the Bobrza river system to be distinguished using the following indicators: morphometric and sedimentological characteristics of the palaeomeander (natural transformation), the sequence of mineral and organic deposits in exposures on the contemporary floodplain (natural and anthropogenic transformation) and transformation associated with the operation of a water mill (anthropogenic transformation). In addition, it is worth mentioning that the Bobrza channel is the location which has provided the only fossils of Juncus subnodulosus in south-east Poland.