Role of climatic and anthropogenic factors accelerating soil erosion and fluvial activity in central Europe

Comparison of climatically controlled phases of higher rainfall and flood frequency with the anthropogenic phases of effective soil erosion documents various overlappings and superpositions. The wetter phase with high frequency of extreme events leads to the transformation of relief, well expressed in the ecotonal zones and in the high mountains. Increased human activity controls an accelerated soil erosion, overbank deposition and tendency to breading. The most distinct changes, leading to the passing of thresholds and transformation of slopes and valley floors are connected with the coincidence of wetter climate and high anthropogenic pressure. Those phases were recognized in Central Europe during the middle Neolithic period, the early phase of the Roman period, the 10–11 century and the Little Ice Age.