TOWARDS THE UNDERSTANDING OF THE PRESENT-DAY HUMAN IMPACT ON PEATLAND DEPOSITS FORMED SINCE THE LATE GLACIAL: A RETROSPECTIVE AGE-DEPTH MODEL OF THE GREL RAISED BOG (POLISH INNER CARPATHIANS)

During the last 60 years, the thickness of the Grel peatland deposits (Polish Inner Carpathians), was decreased twice: from about 7.4 m in 1962, to 3.9 m in 2019. Pollen analyses of peat deposits performed in 1962 (Koperowa 1962) and 2019 (this study) showed that the peatland deposits have accumulated since the Oldest Dryas Stadial up to the present day. Comparative analysis of both palynological profiles was carried out, which exhibits a high consistency of the percentage of pollen of several taxa for the 10 horizons occurring in both profiles. Based on the age-depth curve made for the new profile, the modeled age for the above-mentioned compliance levels was obtained and based on this age, a retrospective age-depth model was elaborated for the Koperowa's profile. The analysis of both profiles showed that the compaction of sediments did not occur proportionally in the entire sequence. The conducted research indicates that contemporary human activity may significantly affect the whole length of peatland profiles, not only their upper parts, as previously was considered. The reconstruction of the palaeoenvironment (palaeoclimate) based on multiproxy analysis of the peatland deposits is capable to precisely document this phenomenon.

Automated summary

In the last 60 years, the thickness of Grel peatland deposits in the Polish Inner Carpathians has decreased twice. Pollen analysis of peat deposits from 1962 and 2019 reveals that the deposits have been accumulating since the Oldest Dryas Stadial. Comparative analysis of the pollen profiles shows consistency in the percentage of certain pollen taxa across 10 horizons in both profiles. The research suggests that human activity can significantly impact the entire length of peatland profiles, contrary to previous beliefs.