Changes of vegetation and soil cover in alpine zone due to anthropogenic and geomorphological processes

The paper presents the results of studies of geomorphological processes in the surroundings of tourist paths with an effect on vegetation and soil conditions in the subalpine and alpine zones of the Tatra Mts. Hiking paths at the local level represent a significant factor for increasing efficiency of sheet wash and concentrated runoff and subsequent intensive deep erosion. They can interrupt continuous surface runoff and operate as the local base of erosion base for a part of the slope over them, with gravitational effect of surface runoff from rainfall and melting snow water, which increases the effect of slope denudation. The base of erosion of the paths increases the potential of gravitational failures and decreases the soil-debris cover stability. In these conditions, the development of slope movements accelerated evidently. Morphologically, hiking path can influence the accumulation of snow layers and creates the conditions for persistent snowfields. Blocking effect of the paths is also reflected in a slowdown and the subsequent accumulation of snow mass by snow creep, snow sliding and snow mass gliding. Hiking paths may be a part of areas with development of aeolian-deflational processes and associated destructions of the soil-debris cover.