The Monti Berici: A Peculiar Type of Karst in the Southern Alps

Ugo Sauro

Publication Date

5-30-2016

Publication Title

Acta Carsologica

Volume Number

31

Issue Number

3

Abstract

The Monti Berici constitute the most southerly karst morpho-unit of the Southern Alps and a peculiar type of karst. The analysis of their topography, the identification of a »morpho-stratigraphy« of the relicts of surface planation and of the different types of fluvial forms, and the recognition of the few elements of chronological significance present in this context, allow the delineation of a preliminary model of the geomorphological evolution of this mountain group. The main morphogenetical elements are of fluvial origin and have been determined, not only by the climatic changes, but also by the tectonic uplifting and/or by changes of the base level. The karst landforms have mostly evolved on the relict fluvial forms or in the context of relatively inactive fluvial forms. The age of the main forms extends over a very long time span, probably in the order of 15 millionyears. The preservation of very old forms can be explained by the peculiar geomorphological environment which was not affected by glacial erosion during the Pleistocene. The comparison of the evolution models of several karst morpho-units in the Southern Alps helps to understand the differences in their geomorphological styles.

Keywords

14c date; Ants; Beetles; Biospeleology; Carbon flux; Carbon gypsum; Cave; Caves; Classical karst; Croatia; Dinaric karst; Epikarst; Groundwater monitoring; Guano; Hydrogeology; Hydrology; India; Italy; Java; Karst; Karst aquifer; Land snails; Monitoring; Palaeokarst; Polje; Rain flutes; Recharge; Serbia; Slovenia; Soil organic carbon; Speleothem; Spiders; Stable isotopes; Subsoil karren; Tracer test; Vadose zone; Vietnam; Wetlands;Rock relief

Document Type

Article

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

https://doi.org/10.3986/ac.v31i3.382

Language

English

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