Recent landform evolution in Macedonia

Abstract

In the Republic of Macedonia, where mountains are predominant in topography, morphostructures control hillslope processes, also promoted by -weathered rocks prone to erosion and steep slopes (39.5% of the area steeper than 15°). Fluvial erosion is of equal importance since rivers are short but of torrential character and flow in composite valleys. Some of the deepest canyons (1,000 m deep) and the deepest underwater cave (190 m deep) of Europe are found in Macedonia. The highest polje is at 2,050 m elevation. Lake shore erosion and deposition can be studied on the largest lakes of the Balkan Peninsula and glacial and periglacial features in the highest mountains above 2,000 m. The most typical direct and indirect human interventions in the landscape are accelerated erosion and deposition, opencast mining, road building, canal, dam and reservoir constructions on rivers. Together with the influences of changing climate, human impact will be -decisive in future landform evolution.