Human impact and geomorphic change through time in the Sudetes, Central Europe

The paper provides an overview of various types of human impact on the geomorphic system in the Sudetes. The article sets the landform change in the temporal and spatial context and addresses the issue of persistence of landforms and other changes brought about by humans. This is discussed on the example of four representative case studies, reflecting both heterogeneity of the Sudetes and different levels of recognition of human - environment interactions during historical times. We discuss the direct and indirect geomorphic effects of human activities such as agriculture, ore and coal mining, quarrying, forestry and tourism, and the themes explored are soil and gully erosion, slope terracing, impact of quarrying, mining and road building, alteration of fluvial systems, and sedimentary record. In the Sudetes human impact started to play an increasing role in modifying geomorphic system since the 13-14th century but the trend was not linear, with periods of decreasing human impact, especially from the mid-20th century when many areas were abandoned. The persistence of human imprint in the Sudetes varies and is related to the type of activity and the size of anthropic landforms rather than to time elapsed since the activity ceased or the landform was created. The most altered geomorphic environments include areas subject to intense mining, bare, unprotected agricultural slopes, terraced slopes, and valley floors, which are “hot spots” of human impact. While mining left the most obvious legacy, the impact of agriculture was most widespread.