Landsystem Units in Musala cirque and their relation to present geomorphic processes Emil M.

Gachev
Institute of Geography - BAS The Issue in General High mountain environment is typical with its high rates of natural diversity, presented in mosaic combination of contrast elements. Geologic, climatic and paleogeographic factors are among the most important for high mountain landscape genesis and present state. Bedrock type and tectonics play especially great role in mountains, where soils are most shallow and rocks are often exposed at the surface. Rocks susceptibility to weathering, fracturing characteristics, stratigraphy and tectonic lines configuration determine not only landscape appearance but its functioning as a whole. Through its main agents solar radiation, water and wind, climate determines the type of morphogenesis Diversity of meso- and microclimate creates zonal patterns in exogenic processes and makes them change in latitude and altitude. In Bulgaria periglacial morphogenesis (landform formation and functioning strongly influenced by frost and frost action) is observed at altitudes above 1850 1900 m (Glovnia, 1962, 1970; Velchev, Kenderova, 1994). Frost climatic processes play especially big role in the areas above the timberline (at 2000 2100 m a. s. l.) and the upper limit of subalpine bushes (at 2500 2600 m a. s. l.) natural margins determined by the altitudinal decrease of annual active vegetation sums of temperature. Paleogeographic factor represents environmental history of the area. A stage of special importance for high mountain landscapes present state and function is the Pleistocene glaciation and the relict glacial landform complex that was left of it. Sharpening the relief and increasing conciderably topographic contrasts, Pleistocene glaciers had charged high mountain terrains of Rila and Pirin with a great energetic source for the occurrence of paraglacial processes (active postglacial earth material transfer from higher to lower hypsometric levels). Territories where periglacial processes operate can be unified under the term periglacial zone. As at present there are no glaciers In Bulgaria this term can be used only in its wide sense. Although there is no doubt that Bulgarian high mountain periglacial landscapes belong to Earths cold environments as this name is accepted for places all over on the where nature is strongly influenced by frost processes. The most typical cold environments in Bulgaria are presented in Rila and Pirin mountains at altitudes above 2400 m a. s. l. These places are ideal object for Holocene periglacial morphogenesis studies. Understanding of the function mechanisms of the complicated periglacial environments comes at first through full inventory of environment. This means that all natural (landscape) structures of the territory studied should be distinguished, classified and located at large scale. Landscapes are natures construction bricks - they represent territories where there is uniformity in the combination of natural components rocks, relief, climate, waters, soils, biota. Landscapes are polycomponent spatial systems where specific processes of energetic and substantial transfers occur. Migration of ground material is an important part of these processes its characteristics for every place are function of landscape specifics. That is why a correct evaluation of geomorphic processes is practically impossible without revealing landscape structure of the territory. The present study appears to be part of the first stage of Bulgarian Periglacial Programme (BPP) a programme for complex investigation of terrestrial processes in Bulgarian cold environments, that is initiated by the Institute of Geography BAS. Here are shown the results of a research of Musala cirques landsystem differentiation, made through large scale mapping of territorys relief elements and land cover. This is an initial step in revealing the landscape structure with an accent put on the relationship between landscape and geomorphic processes.

Figure 1. Musala rock glacier The study site This is the terraced cirque of Musala lakes, which comprises the uppermost part of Musalenska Bistrica river basin. As lower limit is accepted the rigel near Musala hut - thus the territory is defined on catchment principle as an autonomous geosystem with one clearly known water outlet the point where Musalenska Bistrica river drains Dolno Musalensko ezero. This is the highest part of Rila mountain, as altitude a. s. l. rises in NNE SSW direction from 2386 m (the level of Dolno ezero) to 2925 m (at Musala peak). Sites total area is 2,451 2. Methods Landsystem units were outlined in result of a detail mapping of research site relief elements and land cover at work scale 1: 2500. The following methods were in use: Main method interpretation of aerial photographs; support methods detail consultancy with digital terrestrial photographs, visual checking at two field visits during 2006 terrain season, study of previous geomorphological researches, published by other authors (Glovnia, 1962, Velchev, 1995); The mapping itself, as well as datas analysis and synthesis were carried out in GIS in addition to the spatial model that has already been created under the project Models of Contemporary Periglacial Morphogenesis. Officially results are presented in maps in 1:10 000 and 1:5000 scales. Categorization of relief elements Four main elements of relief are found out on the territory. Each of them is typical with predomination of different geomorphic processes: 1/ ridgetops (watersheds) these are the highest terrain elevations. They are relatively flat, with weak rates of substance terrestrial migration. Weathering processes predominate over transportation; 2/ slopes these are the most tilted terrain parts, found just below the ridgetop they are specific with most intensive losses and downward transport of material. Weathering also occurs but it is much less significant than mass movement.

3/ slope feet less steep parts of relief that are situated at slope base. Main process here is the accumulation of transported materials. Deposited material is subject to slow downward movements or export by erosion. 4/ bottoms (terraces) lowest levels of topography flat or very steady surfaces which are sparsely influenced by slope mass movement. Prevailing processes here are weathering along with fluvial erosion and lake abrasion. One more element is distinguished except these four active slope feet. These are less tilted transitional parts of relief that usually divide two slope sections. There downward transport is in dynamic balance with accumulation from the upper slope section. In this category are included also rock glaciers relatively mobile tongues of debris deposits that flow down the slope foot (figure 1). The categories outlined can be subdivided on the basis on their microtopography, as three types of surfaces can be distinguished bulged, plain (straight) and hollowed. Consequently these subdivisions are typical with divergent, parallel and convergent substance flows. Surface tilt is another really important factor for the intensity of present geomorphic processes. This is especially valid for slopes because mountain terrain provides a great variety of slope tilts. Until now there has not been introduced a single criteria for separation between steady and steep slopes (Kenderova, 1992). The need of a proper understanding of the role of slope tilt in environmental differentiation initiated a performance of a special study of the problem for the territory of Musala cirque (Gachev, 2007). In result slopes in the cirque are divided into 4 categories according to prevailing elements of land cover (table 1) Table 1. Slope categories in relation to the influence of slope tilt on land cover type (under E. Gachev, 2007) prevailing land cover No category slope tilt subalpine slopes alpine slopes 2386 2600 m a..s.l. 2550 2925 m a. s. l. 1 Steady 5 23 grass with debris and debris grass with debris and rocks with debris 2 Steep 23 40 grass with debris, debris and grass with debris, debris, rocks with debris rocks with debris and rocks 3 very steep 40 70 mixture of rocky, grassy and rocky surfaces with grass and debris surfaces debris 4 Vertical 70 - 90 rockwalls rockwalls :
120 areal share - % 100 80 60 40 20 0
5 5 5 -5 -1 5 -4 5 -5 5 -2 -3 -6 0 -7 5

rocks debris grass

20

30

60

slope tilt - degrees

Figure 2. Relation between slope tilt and basic land cover types in slope gullies

70

10

40

50

Figure 3. Map of relief elements A special study of slope gullies, which was carried out showed a marginal slope tilt value of 30, between grassy-debris and rocky-debris gullies (figure 2). Slope feet also vary in tilt values but there this parameter is not a factor for visual differencies. The spatial diversion of relief elements in Musala cirque can be seen in figure 3. Here can be done a clear distinguishing between cirque terraced bottom and peripheral slope complexes.

Land cover Diversity of land cover in Bulgarian high mountain areas is a result of the following main factors: 1/ microforms of relief by the contrasts in ground type and structure which they determine; and 2/ altitudinal zonality of hydroclimatic conditions. Aerial and digital imagery interpretation has made it possible to outline 16 land cover types on the basis of distribution of 5 basic components rocks, debris, grass, barren soil and water (table 2): Because of the need to be presented at small scale, distribution of land cover is shown in two maps as mugo pine location is presented on a separate figure. On figure 4 land cover types 10 16 are presented together with their analogues without mugo pine. Table 2. Land cover types in Musala cirque
. Homogeneous 1. Rocks 2. Debris 3. Grass 4. Barren ground 5. Lake waters . Heterogeneous 6. Rocks and debris 7. Grass and debris 8. Rocks and grass 9. Rocks, debris and grass index sk sp tr g w index sksp trsp sktr sktrsp C.Heterogeneous with Mugo pine 10. Rocks with mugo pine 11. Debris with mugo pine 12. Grass (lichens, mosses) with mugo pine index skklk spklk trklk

13. Rocks and debris with mugo pine skspklk 14. Grass and debris with mugo pine trspklk 15. Rocks and grass with mugo pine sktrklk 16. Rocks, debris, grass with mugo pine sktrspklk

Figure4. Land cover types

Landsystem units According to international geomorphological terminology (Beylich, Warburton, 2007) land systems are territories with equal combination of landforms, soils and vegetation and landsystem units are landsystems subdivisions at microscale. In our case landsystem units can be considered as parts of the surface where one element of relief combines with one land cover type. Following this principle, differentiation of landsystem units is actually a definition of the surface part of landscapes. Technically, definition of landsystem units is achieved through overlaying the maps of relief elements and land cover in GIS. Diversity of lansystem units im Musala cirque is shown on matrix principle in table 3. Table 3. Landsystem units in Musala cirque Relief element and land cover type microelement homogeneous heterogeneous heterogeneous with Pinus mugo
sktrsp klk x x x x x x x sksp klk sktr klk x x x x x trsp klk x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x sktrsp sk klk sp klk x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x tr klk x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x sksp trsp x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x sktr

sk

sp

ridgetops Summits slopes

X X X X X X X X

Active slope f. Slope feet Bottoms

ridgetop plains Cols slope ridges steady 5 - 23 steep 23 - 40 very steep, > 40 Steady gullies < 30 steep gullies >30 rock glaciers Active talus talus cones talus schkleifs Rigels rigel cols Moraines moraine cols bottom plains hollows and valleys Lakes

x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x

x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x

tr

x x x x x x

x x x x x x x x x x x x x x

x x x x x x x x

x x x x

The map of landsystem units in Musala cirque is created and released in scale 1: 5000. Here it is not shown because it is hardly readable in scales smaller than 1: 10 000. Reletions between landsystem units and present geomorphic processes The area of Musala cirque is typical with a variety of contemporary geomorphic (terrestrial) processes (Glovnia, 1962, Velchev, 1999, Gachev, 2006). As anywhere in the world, these processes belong to 3 main categories: 1/ weathering disintegration of rocks exposed on Earth surface or near it by the main climatic agents solar radiation, water and wind; 2/ mass movement (denudation) process of excavation and transport of weathered material by gravity, flowing waters, snow and wind; 3/ accumulation deposition of the removed material. While relief elements determine which of these main categories will predominate, land cover type is a factor for the specific types of weathering, transport or accumulation that will appear as leading at the different places.

Each landsystem unit provides a specific combination of relief and land cover. That is why each unit has a unique potential for occurrence of terrestrial processes in their spatial and temporal patterns and regimes. Table 4 shows the most typical processes that occur in different relief elements in the three main basic types of land cover rocks, debris and grass. Heterogeneous land cover types combine the qualities in relation to basic elements participation. The presence of Pinus mugo acts towards lowering the activity of mass movement but is an additional factor for strengthening weathering processes. Table 4. Typical geomorphic processes for basic relief elements and land cover types element of basic land typical processes relief cover type Ridgetop rock weathering, very weak mass movement grass weathering , in situ elluvium formation Slope rock weathering, roskfall debris gravitational downslope movement, weathering and additional fracturing, additional wind and slope wash denudation grass slow movements caused by gravity, snowmelt and groung waters creep, solifluction slope gully rocks and very intensive mass movement - main agents gravity, channel debris flowing waters, avalanches slope foot debris accumulation of debris particles, slow downslope movement, usually triggered by severe climatic features grass accumulation of sand, silt and clay particles, slope downward movements solifluction. Grass in slope feet uppermost parts indicate very weak denudation activity Bottom grass weathering and in situ soil formation, fluvial erosion, lake abrasion The knowledge of landsystem structure of the territory along with the processes typical for each of the units defined, will make it possible to construct a map showing the spatial pattern of terrestrial processes occurrence. This map is a good starting basis for processes risk assessment study to take place in near future. Conclusion The present large scale map of landsystem units is a first stage in the creation of Musala cirque landscape map. By essence, landsystem units present most of the important landscape components along with the specifics of relief, vegetation and rock fundament they reflect some hydrological characteristics, and to great extent the type of soil cover. However, a full reveal of landscape structure on the territory can be done only after a proper study of climate and hydrological conditions (temperatures, precipitation and humidity, radiation conditions, snow cover lasting, underground water flows etc.), which is planned on a further stage of the research programme. Landsystem mapping of Musala cirque is an important step in understanding geomorphic processes spatial pattern. Landscape mapping will make it possible to know better not only the spatial, distribution of periglacial processes, but also their regime characteristics, which is necessary for a proper risk assessment to be carried out in the future. REFERENCES: Velchev, A., R. Kenderova. Some visions about Mozgovitsa valley Pleistocene and Holocene development. , , . . . . . , , . 2 , . 85/1994.

Velchev, A. Glacial and Cryogenic relief in a part of Musala area Rila mountain. , . . . , , . 2 , . 89/1999. Gachev, E. Srarting a Programme for Research and Monitoring of Contemporary Sediment Transfer Processes in the Periglacial Zone of Bulgaria (Bulgarian Periglacial Programme). Fourth science meeting of SEDIFLUX, first meeting of I.A.G/A.I.G workgroup SEDIBUD. Trondheim, Norway, 29 October 1 November 2006. In print Norske Geografiske Tidsskrift (Norwegian Geographic Journal) Gachev, E. Relation between slope tilt and land cover in Musala cirque. , . . . . ., 2007. Georgiev, M. Physical Geography of Bulgaria. , . . ., 1991. Glovnia, M. Researches of glacial morphosculpture in Eastern Rila mountain. , . . . , , . 3 , . 55/1962. Glovnia, M. Comparative research of periglacial morphosculpture in Southern Carpathians and Rila mountain. , . . . , , . 2 , . 64/1970. Kenderova, R. Slope and slope processes in the mountain areas of Bulgaria. , . ( , ). . , , . 2 , . 82, 1992. 21 35. /22/ SEDIFLUX Manual (draft version). Ed. by A. Beylich and J. Warburton. Trondheim, Norway, 2007.