Peat Thickness Changes at the “Wołosate” Raised Bog in the Western Bieszczady Mountains

Abstract

The study aims to present and analyze the rate of changes that occur in the area of Wołosate bog dome as a result of human pressure, which has been especially intense the period between 1967–2016. Additionally, the work presents current stratigraphic cross-section of the peat deposit, and illustrates and interprets the course of the peat accumulation process, that depends on hydrological conditions. The described study had been conducted on the area of “Wołosate” raised bog (nature reserve) in Western Bieszczady Mountains. From the analysis of data obtained from precise satellite surveys, it can be concluded that over 49 years, the average thickness of peat in the characteristic levelling-stratigraphic cross-section decreased by 27.2%. The most significant changes (34.3%) took place up until 1988, as during that period, the stream valley of Wołosatka river had been drained. The results of the discussed study indicate one more circumstance. In later period (1988–2016), following the restoration measures, a 35 cm acrotelm layer of Sphagnum peat (Eusphagneti) with a living layer of peat moss which happened to form itself on the western side of the peatland (along a section of approx. 50 m).