THE PEAT-FORMING PROCESS OF DEGRADED RAISED PEAT-BOG BALIGOWKA

Human activity is apart from climatic changes the main factor threatening swampy grounds all over the world. The basic hazards are drainage treatments and exploitation of peat deposits. In particular, sensible environments, such as undoubtedly bogs especially raised bogs are endangered to negative human activity. The main components of these ecosystems are stenobiont plants, what influences to a high degree their susceptibility to degradation. Even inconsiderable changes in deposit hydrology cause considerable changes in composition and structure of plant communities. These changes in turn cause disturbances of peat forming processes. That is why there is very important for the areas undergoing strong anthropopressure to carry out scientific investigations concerning many aspects of functioning of these precious ecosystems. The aim of the work was estimation peat-forming process on one of peat-bog in the Orawsko-Nowotarska Valley. The investigations with use of the method proposed by Rochefort et al. [1997] were carried out on the Baligowka Peat-Bog. On the examined object the highest mean cover is characterized by vascular plants - 49,9%, a little less peatmoss - 46,76%. The lowest area occupy so called remaining mosses, only 2,28%. The investigations showed high differences in peat forming process course in 3 distinguished investigation zones. The lowest cover degree by the most important plant group - peatmoss had post exploitation zone (31,28%). The best conditions for development of peat-forming plants predominant in the central part of the dome, which kept the natural character.