Western Carpathians; river pattern; channel morphology; human activity

Long-term human activity has led to fundamental transformation of the morphology of a channel-alluvial segment of streams and changes in the character and intensity of fluvial geomorphologic processes. The paper summarizes existing knowledge of factors of morphodynamic changes in channels and alluvia of Carpathian streams and brings an outline of the concept of further research in the area. The transformation of streams is presented on the example of two typical gravel carrying streams in the area of the Carpathian flysch ? Kopytná and Morávka Rivers. Special attention is paid to the concept of disturbation zones of the stream and a biogeomorphologic aspect of anthropogenous impacts.

Long-term human activity has led to fundamental transformation of the morphology of a channel-alluvial segment of streams and changes in the character and intensity of fluvial geomorphologic processes. The paper summarizes existing knowledge of factors of morphodynamic changes in channels and alluvia of Carpathian streams and brings an outline of the concept of further research in the area. The transformation of streams is presented on the example of two typical gravel carrying streams in the area of the Carpathian flysch ? Kopytná and Morávka Rivers. Special attention is paid to the concept of disturbation zones of the stream and a biogeomorphologic aspect of anthropogenous impacts.