Reduction of the extent of peat deposits and their water retention capacity in the Orava-Nowy Targ Basin and Bieszczady Mts. due to human activity

The paper deals with the problem of anthropogenic changes in the extent of peat deposits, their volume and water retention capacity of raised and valley peat bogs in the Polish part of the Orava-Nowy Targ Basin and the Bieszczady Mts. This problem has not received a great deal of attention in the research literature. Special attention was paid to the remnants of peat domes and post-peat areas. The decrease in the area of peat bogs, the volume of peat deposit and the quantity of water retained within them were estimated for the last ca. 400 years. This paper is based on an analysis of maps produced over the last 230 years as well as aerial photographs. Field data and laboratory data were also analyzed as part of this research.