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SHORE LANDFORMS AS AN INDICATOR OF GEOMORPHOLOGICAL CHANGES IN THE BASINS OF ANTHROPOGENIC WATER BODIES (SOUTHERN POLAND)

Martyna Rzetala

Abstract

In water bodies of the Upper Silesia and D?browa Basin region (Southern Poland), shore processes should be considered on a micro scale owing to the small area of these lentic water bodies, especially when compared to large bodies of water around the world. Intensive geomorphological changes manifest themselves as abrasional forms (e.g. cliffs, terraces), which are found in small numbers on the banks of reservoirs impounded by dams and are more numerous within flooded mineral workings. On the other hand, accumulation forms (sandy tips, beaches, mineral and organic berms, shoals, accumulation zones reinforced with vegetation) occur within most water bodies, especially those with mature shore lines. As a result of the impact of the processes occurring in the littoral zone of the examined water bodies in the Upper Silesia and D?browa Basin region, three characteristic shore types have evolved: abrasional, neutral (stabilisation zone) and accumulative shores. This distinction reflects the morphodynamics of the littoral zone, which is the result of multiple natural and human-made factors. Out of 192.8 km of total water body shore length, 21.2 km (i.e. 11.0%) are abrasional shores, accumulative shores account for 97.1 km (i.e. 50.3%), and neutral shares are 74.6 km long (i.e. 38.7%). Such a distribution of shore types in morphodynamic terms indicates the dominance of accumulation processes typical of the mature stage of development of the littoral zone despite the relatively young age of the water bodies considered.

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DOI resolver: doi.org/10.5593/sgem2017/11/s01.065

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