Relevance of the Historical Catchwork System for Sustainability of the Traditional Agricultural Landscape in the Southern Podpolanie Region

The studied agricultural landscape is situated to the south and southeast from the volcanic mass of Polana. Terrain of the sub-mountain area is smoothly denudated because it had been eroded for a long time before the volcanic period. Valleys of the Bystry potok and Riecka streams correspond with tectonic faults. The region was colonized during the 17th century by pastorals and later by peasants. Traditional forms of agriculture have persisted in the landscape till today. Soils are slightly fertile. The area lies on the boundary between slightly warm and cold, very humid climatic zone. Annual rainfall is within the range 700-900 mm. But based on a long-term microclimatic measuring, it is shown that the lack of precipitation is in the period of the vegetation growth. Bedrock consists mainly of granodiorite rocks which have low water permeability and weak springs (yield ranging between 0.1– 0.4 l.s-1). Water absorbs rapidly and flows over the surface of granodiorite rocks to the lower horizons. A similar process appears in the sandy-loam weathering mantle, which has locally a depth about 2 m. Therefore, local inhabitants had to build a system of catchworks which can distribute water from alluvial plains to uplands’ slopes. We identified about 3700 m of catchworks in the Riecka water catchment area. A prevailing part of catchworks distributes water from streams and less flows from springs. During the fieldwork we identified wetlands and waterlogged areas which represent potential sites for spreading of valuable biotopes. Further, we evaluated the degree of the catchwork utilization and succession processes on slopes. Catchworks are only partly functional, and the investigated area suffers from a lack of water mostly during summer seasons. We propose revitalization of the catchwork system in the landscape. Integrated management of the catchment also should take into account effects of current climate change on the studied region.