Evaluation of human impact on valley bottom sedimentation in Highlands: case study from Česká Bělá, Czechia

Abstract

The formation processes of small valleys and long-term anthropogenic impact on its sedimentary archives may be studied by GIS, sedimentology and investigation into spatial and vertical geochemical characteristics in the context of mining activities. The case study from the Bohemian-Moravian Highlands with well documented medieval mining activities demonstrates the typical dynamics of a small valley during the last centuries and also the possible rate of human impact. The information value of the floodplain record as well as the development of the landscape geomorphology is discussed. The infilling of the river bottom is comprised of two main lithological units keeping information about medieval mining and ore processing as well as about past and recent agricultural activities. The most recent land use influenced the aggradation of the valley bottom less than land use during the Medieval times.