The influence of human activity on the rural ecosystem in the Kalisz Upland

Celem pracy było określenie wpływu działalności człowieka na zmianę struktury i funkcjonowanie krajobrazu rolniczego w ostatnim stuleciu. Analizą objęto wybrane agrocenozy Wysoczyzny Kaliskiej, na których obszarze znajdują się tzw. zagłębienia pomarglowe. Efektem marglowania gleby na badanym obszarze były zawodnione doły poeksploatacyjne, które ulegały przekształceniu na skutek działalności człowieka. Badany obszar zalicza się do terenów o wysokim potencjale produkcyjnym rolnictwa, jednym z najwyższych na terenie województwa wielkopolskiego i z tego względu zagłębienia są sukcesywnie eliminowane z krajobrazu rolniczego.A specific features of the agricultural landscape of the South Wielkopolska Region are small post-marl hollows which, as forms of anthropogenic activities, are the remnants of clay exploitation carried out within arable fields. The changes to which the hollows have been subjected over the last 100 years are analysed and the transformations of these forms to be expected in the future are studied on the basis of current processes. An attempt is also made to assess the impact of post-marl hollows on the ecological balance within an agricultural ecosystem. Post-marl hollows are prized for their aesthetic values since they are conducive to a landscape’s biodiversity. Also significant is the economic importance of these forms. They can prevent erosion, slow down surface flows, bring about a decrease in wind velocity and purify ground water of harmful compounds. The system of connection created by hollows is used by moving animals. The analysed forms provide a temporary or permanent shelter for animals, and longer with their surroundings they form the habitat of plant species eliminated from arable fields. Current transformations of post-marl hollows lead to the elimination of these forms from agricultural landscape. Unless the pace of transformations is changed, they are bound to disappear within 50 years. The analysed area is rated among typically agricultural area. The high standard of local agricultural production is one of the main factors supporting the elimination of hollows