scholarly journals High mountain relief in marble in Pirin Mountains, Bulgaria: structure, specifics and evolution

2017 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 118-135
Author(s):  
GACHEV Emil
Keyword(s):  
Balkan Peninsula ◽  
High Elevation ◽  
High Mountain ◽  
Mountain Areas ◽  
Physical Weathering ◽  
Low Altitude ◽  
Representative Area ◽  
Intensive Formation ◽  
Karst Processes ◽  
Main Factor

The present article is focused on high mountain relief in marble, which combines glacial, periglacial and karstic morphology. High mountain karst is found in Northern Pirin (Vihren and Sinanitsa area) and central Pirin (Orelek area), the latter lacking traces of glaciation due to its low altitude. In the most representative area, Vihren part, several vast and deep cirques-uvalas were formed, which comprise a large diversity of landforms. Main factor for the specifics of relief in marble is the structure of the rock, which combines carbonate mineral content and crystalline properties; they favour both the occurrence of karstification and frost weathering. The high elevation of Northern Pirin (up to 2914 m a.s.l.), and the resulting extensive former glaciation enhanced the karst processes by weathering of the morphological surface. At present, surface karst is most developed on elevated sections of cirque bottoms, which were ice free before the beginning of the Holocene and are away from rockfall creep accumulation. A special element of glaciokarstic relief in Pirin are the summer lasting snow/ice features (glacierets and snow patches), two of which are considered centuries old, and still survive despite the temperature warming. In general, karst processes in the high mountain areas of Pirin are less developed than in the western part of the Balkan Peninsula (the Dinarides), due to the greater susceptibility of marble to physical weathering compared to limestone, which leads to a more intensive formation of regolith on the surface, and in result of the generally colder and dryer climate.

Impact of wild herbivorous mammals and birds on the altitudinal and northern treeline ecotones

2012 ◽  
Vol 30 ◽  
pp. 1-28 ◽  
Author(s):  
Friedrich-Karl Holtmeier
Keyword(s):  
Soil Erosion ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
High Elevation ◽  
Tree Regeneration ◽  
High Mountain ◽  
Tree Seedlings ◽  
Mountain Areas ◽  
Large Numbers ◽  
Herbivorous Mammals ◽  
High Elevation Forests

Wild herbivorous mammals may damage treeline vegetation an cause soil erosion at a local scale. In many high mountain areas of Europe and North America, large numbers of red deer have become a threat to the maintenance of high-elevation forests and attempts to restore the climatic treeline. In northern Fennoscandia, overgrazing by reindeer in combination with mass outbreaks of the autumnal moth are influencing treeline dynamics. Moose are also increasingly involved damaging treeline forest. In the Alps, the re-introduction of ibex is causing local damage to subalpine forests and tree establishment above the forest limit as well as aggravating soil erosion. High-elevation forests and treeline in Europe are susceptible to the deleterious impact of wild ungulate populations because of former extensive pastoral use. Rodents may damage tree seedlings and saplings by girdling, root cutting, bark stripping and burrowing. Hares damage young trees by gnawing. Large numbers of small rodents may occasionally impede tree regeneration by depleting the seed sources. Rodents do not contribute to forest expansion beyond the current treeline. Among birds, nutcrackers are highly effective in influencing tree distribution patterns and treeline dynamics. Without the nutcracker caching of stone pine seeds any upward advance of the trees in response to climatic warming would be impossible. Some bird species such as black grouse, willow grouse and ptarmigan can impair tree growth by feeding on buds, catkins and fresh terminal shoots.

scholarly journals Does the High Elevation Climate along Mt. Everest can be Represented by Lower Elevation Stations?

2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 99-109
Author(s):  
Binod Dawadi ◽  
Shankar Sharma ◽  
Kalpana Hamal ◽  
Nitesh Khadka ◽  
Yam Prasad Dhital ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Climatic Factors ◽  
Monsoon Season ◽  
High Elevation ◽  
High Mountain ◽  
Climate Data ◽  
Southern Slope ◽  
Mountain Areas ◽  
Temperature And Precipitation ◽  
Lower Elevation

Climate change studies of the high mountain areas of the central Himalayan region are mostly represented by the meteorological stations of the lower elevation. Therefore, to validate the climatic linkages, daily observational climate data from five automated weather stations (AWS) at elevations ranging from 2660 m to 5600 m on the southern slope of Mt. Everest were examined. Despite variations in the means and distribution of daily, 5-day, 10-day, and monthly temperature and precipitation between stations located at a higher elevation and their corresponding lower elevation, temperature records in the different elevations are highly correlated. In contrast, the precipitation data shows a comparatively weaker correlation. The slopes of the regression model (0.82–1.13) with (R2>0.74) for higher altitude (5050 m and 5600 m) throughout the year, 0.83–1.12 (R2>0.68) except late monsoon season for the station at 4260 m and 5050 m asl indicated the similar variability of the temperature between those stations. Similarly, Namche (3570 m) temperature changes by 0.81–1.32°C per degree change in corresponding lower elevation Lukla station (2660 m), except for monsoon season. However, inconsistent variation was observed between the station with a large altitudinal difference (2940 m) at Lukla and Kala Patthar (5600 m). In general, climate records from corresponding lower elevation can be used to quantitatively assess climatic information of the high elevation areas on the southern slope of Mt. Everest. However, corrections are necessary when absolute values of climatic factors are considered, especially in snow cover and snow-free areas. This study will be beneficial for understanding the high-altitude climate change and impact studies.

Hidden paleosols at high elevation in the Alps (Stolenberg Plateau - NW Italy): evidence for a Lateglacial Nunatak?

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emanuele Pintaldi ◽  
Michele Eugenio D'Amico ◽  
Nicola Colombo ◽  
Marco Giardino ◽  
Michele Freppaz
Keyword(s):  
Hot Spot ◽  
Plant Cover ◽  
High Elevation ◽  
Western Alps ◽  
High Mountain ◽  
Mountain Areas ◽  
Vegetation Development ◽  
Climate Change Research ◽  
Last Glacial ◽  
C Stocks

<p>In the framework of climate change research, alpine soils may provide excellent paleoenvironmental information, thus representing a powerful tool for paleoclimate reconstruction. However, since Pleistocene glaciations and erosion-related processes erased most of the pre-existing landforms and soils, reconstructing soil and landscape development in high-mountain areas can be a difficult task.</p><p>This study was performed in the periglacial environment of the Stolenberg Plateau (LTER site Istituto Mosso), located on the watershed between Valsesia and Lys Valley, at the foot of the southern slope of the Monte Rosa Massif (Western Italian Alps, elevation: ca. 3030 m a.s.l.). The plateau is covered by thick periglacial blockfields and blockstreams, with a plant cover that reaches no more than 3-5% of the surface.</p><p>These periglacial landforms unexpectedly revealed well-developed soils below the superficial coarse deposits. In particular, below the stone layer, thick (between 30 and 65 cm) umbric horizons were observed, under which discontinuous cambic Bw ones were developed. In contrast, the surrounding snowbed communities (Salicetum herbaceae) were characterized by Regosols or Cambisols with 10-15 cm thick A horizons and weak signs of cryoturbation.</p><p>Despite the sparce plant cover, the organic carbon (C) stocks were surprisingly high (above 5 kg*m<sup>-2</sup>), comparable to vegetated and even forest soils at lower elevation. In addition, geophysical investigations showed that these soils are widespread under the stony cover, with a thickness ranging between 20 and 90 cm.</p><p>Radiocarbon dating (<sup>14</sup>C) indicated that these soils are paleosols, probably originated during the main warming phases/interstadials occurred between the end of Last Glacial Maximum and the beginning of the Neoglacial. In particular, the ages of the oldest samples were 20.5-20 ka cal. BP (values obtained from two independent and blind datings performed in different moments), others were dated ca. 17.5, 13, 8.5, 6.5, 5.7 ka cal. BP, while the youngest ages were 4.4-4.1 ka cal. BP.</p><p>These dates, particularly the oldest ones, show that the Stolenberg Plateau was presumably free of ice at the beginning of the Early Lateglacial, and its summer temperatures were already compatible with some kind of vegetation development. The origin of these unexpected high-elevation soils, below blockstreams and blockfields, is of great relevance for unraveling the climatic history in the Western Alps. The results, including the soil characteristics, the geomorphological framework and the specific local landform setting, aspect, and position, suggest that the plateau may have been a Nunatak, which acted as a refugium for alpine vegetation during the last glacial pulses, serving as a hot-spot for the rapid reoccupation of deglaciated high-elevation landscapes.</p>

scholarly journals Effect of Nutrient Addition on the Productivity and Species Richness of Grassland Along With an Elevational Gradient in Tajikistan

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lian-Lian Fan ◽  
Okhonniyozov Mekrovar ◽  
Yao-Ming Li ◽  
Kai-Hui Li ◽  
Xue-Xi Ma ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Species Richness ◽  
Elevational Gradient ◽  
Significant Negative Correlation ◽  
High Elevation ◽  
High Mountain ◽  
Nutrient Inputs ◽  
Mountain Areas ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Precipitation And Temperature

Grasslands provide key resource for the millions of people who are dependent on livestock in Tajikistan. Productivity and species richness (SR) are important characteristics of grassland ecosystems and are greatly affected by nutrient inputs. The effect that climate change might have on these characteristics remains unclear. Here, an in situ nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) fertilization experiment was conducted at four sites along with an elevational gradient (650, 1,100, 1,250, and 2,000 m) in western Tajikistan over 2 years (2018 and 2019) to examine the influences of nutrient availability and climate change on aboveground biomass (AGB) and SR; precipitation and temperature were also considered to analyze the responses. It demonstrated that enrichment with N, P, and their combinations significantly increased AGB along with an elevational gradient (p < 0.05). AGB increased as the concentrations of nutrients added increased. The maximum AGB, which was 2-fold higher compared with control, was observed when 90 kg N ha–1year–1 and 30 kg P ha–1year–1 were added. In addition, nitrogen addition alone stimulated greater AGB than P addition, although no significant difference was observed between these two treatments. Enrichment with N, P, and their combination had no significant effect on SR; however, SR significantly changed at different elevation. Elevation had direct effect on precipitation and temperature, which, in turn, resulted in variation in AGB and SR. Moreover, both nutrient and elevation had significant effect on AGB and SR, but there was no interaction effect of them. AGB and SR interacted with significant negative correlation. In the high-elevation area, plants grew better in the warmer year (2018); this indicates that grasslands in high mountain areas in Tajikistan might have higher productivity as the climate warms, which will positively affect the economic development of the country.

scholarly journals ANALYSIS AND COMPARISON OF SRTM3 DEM AND ASTER GDEM V2

2020 ◽  
Vol XLII-3/W10 ◽  
pp. 529-533
Author(s):  
J. Shen ◽  
W. L. Han ◽  
L. B. Zhang ◽  
J. Ge
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Differentiation ◽  
High Elevation ◽  
Scientific Basis ◽  
Vegetation Coverage ◽  
High Mountain ◽  
Mountain Areas ◽  
Aster Gdem ◽  
Digital Elevation ◽  
Penetration Ability ◽  
Vertical Accuracy

Abstract. Global Geographic Information Resources Construction and Maintenance Renewal Project is in urgent need of digital elevation model worldwide. At present, the errors of ASTER GDEMv2 and SRTM3 DEM data widely used are unevenly distributed. In this paper, high-precision and high-resolution WorldDEM data are taken as true values, and flat areas in Turkey and alpine region in Nepal are selected respectively as two test areas A and B. The vertical accuracy of ASTER GDEMv2 and SRTM3 DEM data is verified and compared by using DEM elevation difference numerical analysis, spatial differentiation analysis, slope spectrum curve and other methods. The results show that the two digital elevation models in flat terrain conform to the nominal accuracy, and the vertical accuracy of SRTM3 DEM has an advantage, while the vertical accuracy of ASTER GDEMv2 in high elevation area with large terrain fluctuation is obviously higher than that of SRTM3 DEM , and the area of SRTM3 DEM data accuracy exceeding nominal accuracy is larger. On this basis, the applicability of the two kinds of DEM is analyzed. It is concluded that SRTM3 DEM data with better accuracy should be selected in low altitude plain areas, ASTER GDEM data with higher resolution should be given priority in hilly areas with complex terrain and high mountain areas with severe topographic fluctuations, and ASTER GDEM data can be used to supplement the uncovered areas of SRTM3 DEM。In addition, in areas with high vegetation coverage, the accuracy of the two data is greatly affected, which can be supplemented by ICESAT/GLAS and ICESAT2/GLAS data with strong vegetation penetration ability. The results can provide scientific basis and data support for global space information projects.

scholarly journals Formation Patterns of Mediterranean High-Mountain Water-Bodies in Sierra-Nevada, SE Spain

Water ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 438
Author(s):  
Jose Luis Diaz-Hernandez ◽  
Antonio Jose Herrera-Martinez
Keyword(s):  
Sierra Nevada ◽  
Unknown Origin ◽  
Slope Instability ◽  
Water Bodies ◽  
High Mountain ◽  
Mountain Areas ◽  
Glacial Processes ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
Water Volumes

At present, there is a lack of detailed understanding on how the factors converging on water variables from mountain areas modify the quantity and quality of their watercourses, which are features determining these areas’ hydrological contribution to downstream regions. In order to remedy this situation to some extent, we studied the water-bodies of the western sector of the Sierra Nevada massif (Spain). Since thaw is a necessary but not sufficient contributor to the formation of these fragile water-bodies, we carried out field visits to identify their number, size and spatial distribution as well as their different modelling processes. The best-defined water-bodies were the result of glacial processes, such as overdeepening and moraine dams. These water-bodies are the highest in the massif (2918 m mean altitude), the largest and the deepest, making up 72% of the total. Another group is formed by hillside instability phenomena, which are very dynamic and are related to a variety of processes. The resulting water-bodies are irregular and located at lower altitudes (2842 m mean altitude), representing 25% of the total. The third group is the smallest (3%), with one subgroup formed by anthropic causes and another formed from unknown origin. It has recently been found that the Mediterranean and Atlantic watersheds of this massif are somewhat paradoxical in behaviour, since, despite its higher xericity, the Mediterranean watershed generally has higher water contents than the Atlantic. The overall cause of these discrepancies between watersheds is not connected to their formation processes. However, we found that the classification of water volumes by the manners of formation of their water-bodies is not coherent with the associated green fringes because of the anomalous behaviour of the water-bodies formed by moraine dams. This discrepancy is largely due to the passive role of the water retained in this type of water-body as it depends on the characteristics of its hollows. The water-bodies of Sierra Nevada close to the peak line (2918 m mean altitude) are therefore highly dependent on the glacial processes that created the hollows in which they are located. Slope instability created water-bodies mainly located at lower altitudes (2842 m mean altitude), representing tectonic weak zones or accumulation of debris, which are influenced by intense slope dynamics. These water-bodies are therefore more fragile, and their existence is probably more short-lived than that of bodies created under glacial conditions.

scholarly journals Late-Holocene forest resilience in the central Pyrenean highlands as deduced from pollen analysis of Lake Sant Maurici sediments

The Holocene ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 095968362110332
Author(s):  
Valentí Rull ◽  
Núria Cañellas-Boltà ◽  
Teresa Vegas-Vilarrúbia
Keyword(s):  
Bronze Age ◽  
Middle Ages ◽  
Iron Age ◽  
Late Holocene ◽  
High Elevation ◽  
Roman Period ◽  
High Mountain ◽  
Southern Central ◽  
Central Pyrenees ◽  
The Middle Ages

Palynological analysis of the last ca. 4300 cal year BP using a sediment core taken from high mountain (ca. 1900 m elevation) Lake Sant Maurici sediments (southern-central Pyrenees) showed remarkable vegetation constancy during the Bronze Age and the Middle Ages. Records of the Iron Age and the Roman period were missing due to a major sedimentary gap. During the studied periods, the vegetation around the lake was largely dominated by pine ( Pinus) forests with birch ( Betula), oak ( Quercus) and hazel ( Corylus) trees, as is the case today. The composition of these forests and the abundance of their components remained quite stable, despite the occurrence of temperature and moisture shifts. The degree of human disturbance, notably that of pastoralism and cereal cultivation by scattered and temporary settlements, was very low and had little or no effect on the dominant forests. This situation contrasts with most high-elevation (subalpine and alpine) environments of the central Pyrenees that were massively anthropized during the Middle Ages. Further research should be aimed at finding sediments corresponding to the Iron Age and the Roman period to verify whether the vegetation constancy can be extended throughout the Late-Holocene. Past records of this type may allow the estimation of natural and anthropogenic thresholds for irreversible forest changes, which would be useful for conservation purposes.

Interdisciplinary Approaches to Reconstructing Early Population History in the High Himalayas of Nepal

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacqueline Eng ◽  
Mark Aldenderfer
Keyword(s):  
Material Culture ◽  
Cultural Practices ◽  
Interdisciplinary Approach ◽  
High Elevation ◽  
Population History ◽  
High Mountain ◽  
The Tibetan Plateau ◽  
Low Frequencies ◽  
Mountain Environments ◽  
Interdisciplinary Approaches

Anthropological research in the high-elevation regions of northwestern Nepal offers insights into the populationhistory of the Himalayan arc through a multi- and interdisciplinary approach that includes not only archaeologicaldata and historic and ethnographic accounts but also genomic, isotopic, and bioarchaeologicaldata, as well as innovative use of thermal niche modeling for paleoclimate reconstruction. Together these linesof evidence have allowed us to address project questions about human settlement into the region, including(1) sources of population movements into high-elevation environments of the Himalayan arc and (2) bioculturaladaptations to high-mountain environments. In this paper we compare research at several communalmortuary sites, each with a rich assemblage of material culture and human burials: Mebrak (400 B.C.–A.D. 50),Kyang (400–175 B.C.), and Samdzong (A.D. 450–650), as well as intriguing insights from finds in the earlier (ca.1250–450 B.C.) sites of Lubrak, Chokhopani, and Rhirhi. Our genomic findings demonstrate population originsfrom the Tibetan plateau, despite South Asian material culture recovered in early sites. Bioarchaeological findingsof low frequencies of non-specific stress and trauma indicate successful biocultural adaptation to highaltitudeconditions of hypoxia, cold, and low resource availability, potentially through buffering from exchangenetworks and local cultural practices, alongside high-altitude selected alleles. An integrative, multidisciplinaryapproach thus offers significantly greater opportunities for developing a more nuanced understanding of thepast processes of migration, settlement, and biocultural adaptation in the region. La investigación antropológica de las alturas del noroeste de Nepal nos proporciona conocimientos de la historiade la población del arco Himalaya a través de un enfoque multidisciplinario e interdisciplinario que incluyeno solamente datos arqueológicos y relatos históricos y etnográficos, sino también datos genómicos, isotópicos,y bioarqueológicos, tanto como uso innovador del modelado del nicho térmico para la reconstrucción paleoclimática.En conjunto, estas líneas de evidencia nos han permitido abordar temas sobre el asentamiento humanade la región, como: (1) los orígenes del movimiento hacia ambientes en las alturas del arco del Himalaya;y (2) las adaptaciones bioculturales necesarias para vivir en las alturas. En este artículo comparamos las investigacionesde varios mortuorios comunales que ofrecen conjuntos abundantes de entierros humanos y artefactosrelacionados: Mebrak (400 a.C.–d.C. 50), Kyang (400–175 a.C.), and Samdzong (d.C. 450–650), así como loshallazgos intrigantes de sitios anteriores (ca. 1250–450 a.C.) de Lubrak, Chokhopani, y Rhirhi. Nuestros datosgenómicos sugieren orígenes de le población del altiplano tibetano, a pesar del material que deriva del sur de Asia que se ha recuperado de los sitios mas tempranos. Los hallazgos bioarqueológicos demuestran niveles bajosde estrés y trauma inespecífico, y sugieren éxito en adaptación biocultural, a pesar de las condiciones de hipoxia,frio, y los recursos escasos en este ambiente. Es posible que alelos seleccionados a las alturas, junto con sistemasde intercambio y las costumbres locales contribuyeron al éxito de la adaptación. Por lo tanto, un enfoque multidisciplinarioque integra todas las evidencias ofrece una comprensión mas detallada de los procesos de migración,asentamiento, y adaptación biocultural de la región.

scholarly journals Trapping of Organochlorine Compounds in High Mountain Lakes

2001 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 609-611 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joan O. Grimalt ◽  
Pilar Fernandez ◽  
Rosa M. Vilanova
Keyword(s):  
Atmospheric Transport ◽  
Mountain Lakes ◽  
Organochlorine Compounds ◽  
High Mountain ◽  
High Latitudes ◽  
High Mountain Lakes ◽  
Mountain Areas ◽  
Persistent Pollutants

High mountain areas have recently been observed to be polluted by organochlorine compounds (OC) despite their isolation. These persistent pollutants arrive at these remote regions through atmospheric transport. However, the mechanisms involving the accumulation of these compounds from the atmospheric pool to the lacustrine systems still need to be elucidated. These mechanisms must be related to the processes involving the transfer of these pollutant from low to high latitudes[1] as described in the global distillation effect[2].

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