The upper forest limit within the villages of Ustrzyki Górne and Wołosate (Bieszczady Mts.) in the end of eighteenth century

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The upper forest limit within the villages of Ustrzyki Górne and Wołosate (Bieszczady Mts.) in the end of eighteenth century

Journal Title: Roczniki Bieszczadzkie - Year 2012, Vol 20, Issue 1

Abstract

There are long-term discussions among scientists, regarding the importance of grazing management for the formation of the upper forest limit in the Western Bieszczady. This paper contains an analysis of changes in land use patterns, based on tax documentation from the turn of 18th and 19th century for the area of villages: Ustrzyki Dolne and Wołosate. For this study areas situated above 1000 m above sea level, which occupy 1852 ha, were selected. Changes in the area of particular land categories within this zone between 1788–1879 are presented in Table 1. A significant change (168 ha) in the area of subalpine meadows occurred between 1820–1852, and minor changes were recorded in years 1788–1820 (3 ha) and 1852–1879 (1 ha). Changes in the course of the upper forest limit between 1788–1852 are presented in details in Figures 1 and 2. Discussion refers to the reasons of such dynamics of land use changes, indicating the demographic and legislative aspects. The results of the studies confirm that human influence upon the upper forest limit at Bieszczady did not have a stable character, and the intensity of anthropogenic pressure was changing in time. The answer for the question about the character and original extend of subalpine meadows there, requires however further studies.

Authors and Affiliations

Stanisław Kucharzyk, Maciej Augustyn

Keywords

upper forest limit pastoralism land cover Western Bieszczady Mts. anthropogenic changes historical documents GIS analysis

EP ID EP161511
DOI -
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