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The aim of the research is to make an inventory of nine large erratic boulders lying in situ in the forested areas of Pałuki in the north-east Wielkopolska (West Poland). Due to their location unchanged since the deglaciation times, they can be used to establish the chronology of the deglaciation of the last ice sheet in north-western Poland. The knowledge of large erratic boulders along with other elements of geodiversity of Pałuki, a peripheral tourist region, is a potential for the development of geotourism, which in turn can be a driving force for the sustainable development of the region. Field work was used to collect data characterizing individual boulders and indicating their source area in Scandinavia, if they represent the indicator type of an erratic. Attention was paid to the record of sub/inglacial and periglacial processes affecting the foreland of the melting ice sheet, as well as contemporary morphogenetic processes. The detailed description of the boulders emphasized their scientific, cognitive, educational, upbringing, cultural, conservation, pro-environmental and recreational importance. The location of the erratic boulders in the forest makes them interesting targets for tourism in naturally valuable areas. In the age of changing social expectations with regard to forest functions in favor of social, educational (ecological education) and tourist and recreational functions, their good promotion is necessary, preceded by expert research. This paper provides such knowledge transfer. |
