The study investigates correlations between atmospheric circulation, precipitation, potential evaporation, Climatic Water Balance (CWB), and river runoff in north-central Poland and quantifies the occurrence of dry and wet periods. The analysis covers the years 1952–2020. Dry and wet periods were identified using monthly Standardised Streamflow Indices (SSI) calculated for moving windows of 1, 3, 6, and 12 months (SSI-1, SSI-3, SSI-6, SSI-12). The study also employs a unique calendar of circulation types over north-central Poland, from which atmospheric circulation indices were calculated: zonal (W), meridional (S), and cyclonicity (C). The results show that, in north-central Poland during 1952–2020, the annual totals of potential evaporation and Climatic Water Balance (CWB) both exhibited statistically significant trends. The rate of change was + 27.8 mm per decade for potential evaporation and − 29.6 mm per decade for CWB. The annual precipitation totals did not display a statistically significant trend. The analysis revealed a significant correlation between the cyclonicity index (C) and the Standardised Streamflow Index (SSI) for all the analysed rivers and moving windows. Dry periods occurred under strong anticyclonic circulation, whereas wet periods were associated with the dominance of cyclonic circulation. Additionally, the correlation coefficients between precipitation and SSI, potential evaporation and SSI, and CWB and SSI were statistically significant across all moving windows. The value of the correlation coefficient was lowest for SSI-1 and highest for SSI-12, reflecting the influence of seasonal variability in the annual cycles of the analysed climatic and hydrological elements within the study area.

This study presents the first national-scale spatial inventory of relict charcoal hearths (RCHs) in Poland, based on high-resolution LiDAR data and digital terrain analysis. Using a combination of manual interpretation, GIS-based feature extraction, and K-prototypes clustering, we identified and classified 634 815 RCHs across forested regions of the country. Each feature was georeferenced and categorized by size, morphological characteristics, slope position, and environmental context, including current and potential vegetation and soil types. Spatial analyses revealed significant regional differences in hearth density, with the highest concentrations found in western and south-central Poland, particularly in the Lower Silesian, Stobrawa, and & Sacute;wi & eogon;tokrzyskie forests. Cluster analysis distinguished three major types of RCHs, differing in their environmental settings and spatial organization: (1) lowland pine-dominated clusters on gentle terrain, (2) isolated features on steep slopes in mixed forests, and (3) high-density hearth groups in elevated areas. Although large portions of the country appear devoid of RCHs, we argue that this reflects limitations in preservation and detection - due to long-term agricultural activity in lowlands and erosion in mountainous areas - rather than an actual absence of charcoal production. The resulting ReCHAR database offers a unique, open-access tool for interdisciplinary research on forest history, human-environment interactions, and early industrial landscapes. Its modular design supports further expansion, including links to historical settlements and industries reliant on charcoal, such as metallurgy, glassmaking, and tar or potash production. The data set is available at 10.5281/zenodo.15630690 (S & lstrok;owi & nacute;ski et al., 2025).

Caves formed in unlithified glacial sediments are unique elements of geological heritage, unlike underground voids and networks of channels, which occur relatively frequently in Quaternary loess and loess‐like deposits. Despite the significant potential for understanding collapse processes in extensive areas covered by glacial deposits, such cavities have been poorly investigated, partly due to their rarity and short lifespans. The paper explores the occurrence of natural caves within Quaternary unlithified tills in northern Poland on the example of previously identified caves (one of which was discovered by the authors). Situated in the northern part of the Polish Lowlands, the caves are located on steep slopes of river valleys and a seashore cliff. During the study, terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) was used to gather detailed morphometric data and create highly accurate cave models of these relatively young objects subject to rapid transformation, thereby providing the opportunity to formulate and discuss preliminary concepts of their genesis. The caves are not long – their length varies from 4.7 m to 11 m – but their morphology and geological conditions, and the interrelations between these features, suggest that these non‐karst cavities were formed after the last ice sheet had retreated and that their development was associated with the presence of natural and glaciotectonic fractures within silty tills and with piping processes. These are young forms subjected to constant evolution that will lead to their eventual disappearance. The gathered data (especially the high‐resolution TLS‐based models) will be used in the future to monitor transformations and assess the pace of changes. They may also provide an impetus to search for more such objects in fresh exposures on eroded slopes of valleys or banks of waterbodies.

The presence of permafrost at the foreland of the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) is evidenced by a range of landforms and structures characteristic of the periglacial zone. In areas once covered by the LGM ice sheet, lake and peatland sediments serve as excellent archives for paleoclimatic reconstruction and environmental change analysis. Current knowledge suggests that the melting of buried dead ice blocks and the formation of deep kettle lakes occurred in tandem with the degradation of permafrost. In the Polish Lowlands, the first phase of lake formation corresponds to the Bølling–Allerød complex (14.7–12.8 ka cal BP). However, our understanding remains limited regarding the geomorphological and hydrological dynamics immediately following ice sheet retreat—particularly in relation to air temperature changes. Until recently, no in situ biogenic sediments had been found to record environmental changes in this highly dynamic postglacial system. The period of more than 1000 years between the ice sheet's disappearance and the formation of deep kettle lakes was occupied by thermokarst lakes—depression landforms caused by permafrost degradation and ground collapse under periglacial conditions. Preliminary studies have mapped over 200 relict thermokarst lakes (RTL) within the LGM extent in Poland. These are characterized by distinctive morphologies, including aligned orientations, marginal ridges, and location on sandy outwash plains (sandurs). The lack of previous studies in the European Lowlands may be due to their subtle landscape expression. The analysis of LiDAR data, combined with field verification, has greatly facilitated their identification and geomorphological interpretation.

Over the past few millennia, human activity has been one of the most unpredictable factors influencing environmental transformations. Human activities related to agriculture and land use are the primary forces driving the creation of new landscapes. Conversely, the influence of other factors on landscape transformation remains incompletely understood. In particular, forests have been exploited not only for timber but also for various wood-related products, including charcoal, potash, and tar. We consider that charcoal production, besides food production, which increased linearly with population growth, was a kind of turning point in human pressure on the forest environment. Particularly in the Middle Ages, when the demand for products such as glass, iron, and potash grew very rapidly, the production of these products required a higher temperature than that obtained by burning wood. However, the extent and impact of these activities on a spatial scale has not been fully recognized. Charcoal held significant economic and energy value in the pre-industrial era, evidenced by mapping over 600,000 remnants of charcoal hearths in Central Europe. Over time, the demand for energy escalated, leading to the widespread use of coal in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Our aim is to provide a comprehensive understanding of the functioning of charcoal hearths and their role in shaping landscapes. To achieve this, we have combined research methods from biogeography, remote sensing, dendroecology, paleoecology, soil science, botany, onomastics, and art history. This interdisciplinary approach aims to capture not only the natural outcomes but also the social and economic consequences of charcoal production. Our paleoecological findings reveal an intermediate disturbance linked to the operation of charcoal hearths, influencing both short-term and long-term changes in ecosystems with a cascading effect. The production of charcoal has far-reaching consequences, exerting a substantial impact on vegetation composition, soil properties, microclimate, the water cycle, and ultimately leading to erosion, thereby affecting adjoining ecosystems. This research addresses the growing interest in the legacy of charcoal hearths in historical human activities and their pivotal role in shaping landscape transformations during the pre-industrial era. The study is the result of research project No. 2018/31/B/ST10/02498 funded by the Polish National Science Centre.

During roadworks on Bulwar Filadelfijski in Toruń, the foundations of a Benedictine monastery and the Holy Spirit Church were uncovered. Geoarchaeological research analyzed fluvial, denudational, and anthropogenic layers in the Vistula riverbank. The aim was to determine the spatial and stratigraphic relationships between fluvial and denudational sediments and anthropogenic embankments in the Vistula riverbank zone. Key findings: (1) Early medieval fluvial and denudational processes shaped sediments, with Bronze Age and Roman artifacts redeposited by medieval floods. (2) Late medieval construction (monastery, perimeter wall) led to anthropogenic embankments dominating the area. (3) After the monastery’s mid-17th-century destruction, major floods deposited overbank alluvium. The study clarifies the site’s stratigraphic evolution under natural and human influence.

The article presents how shorelines in lowland reservoirs can be transformed. Particular focus is placed on defining the environmental conditions that fundamentally shape the littoral zone, which we here call the "aquatic-terrestrial transitional zone" (ATTZ). The study is based on a multi-decadal analysis combining field-based geomorphological mapping, multitemporal aerial imagery, terrestrial and airborne laser scanning (LiDAR), and geospatial analyses. These methods enabled the identification and classification of shoreline types and their transitions over time, as well as the expansion patterns of vegetation within the ATTZ. Based on this approach, we developed an indicator of ecological changes in artificial water bodies. The test area selected for the study is a large, lowland reservoir with significant annual water-level fluctuations of 5.5 m. By covering the entire period of the reservoir's operation from its creation and extending for over 30 years, we established that, in the first decade of the reservoir's existence, active (i.e., erosional or depositional) shore fragments constituted 60.2 % of the shoreline's length. As the reservoir aged, the share of active shoreline decreased to about 40 % by the end of the second decade of its operation and has remained stable since then. However, the relative proportions of shore types changed: the lengths of erosional and neutral shore decreased, while the share of depositional shore increased. In addition, there appeared a previously unidentified "biogenic" shore type dominated by perennial vegetation. The study indicates that shore zone transformation varies depending on the initial slope inclination or morphometry of the slopes being transformed. Transformation began later and was less dynamic in shallow shore zones and sections immediately neighbouring shallows than in deep-water shore zones, where changes occurred more quickly and were longer-lasting. In turn, large water-level fluctuations led to the creation of a "moving" zone between the aquatic and terrestrial environment, and the expansion of coastal vegetation; as the reservoir has aged, vegetation has occupied new areas, but its development is limited by the persistent water-level fluctuations. These findings highlight how reservoir management and water-level regimes drive shoreline dynamics and long-term ecological patterns in regulated aquatic systems.

Clusters of sea stacks, called rauks, are unique rocky landforms characteristic of Baltic Sea coasts. These limestone stacks raise interest due to their spectacular morphology and yet unexplained origin. This study presents the results of seasonal observations (2019–2020) of rauk coast changes carried out in one of the key rauk fields on Fårö Island, Sweden. The landforms developing within three test sites were examined. At Langhammars ‘classic’ field of rauks built from homogeneous limestone (1) and a shore platform devoid of rauks, underlain clearly separate limestone slabs were explored (2); and at Gamla Hamn, the analysis covered a non-typical rauk field built of densely laminated limestone (3). We applied terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) to obtain data needed in morphometric analyses and rauk surface change monitoring. We identified and determined contemporary erosional rates and dominant processes responsible for eroding and downwearing of rauk coasts. The observed changes were strongly associated with differences in local lithological and structural conditions—from a nearly complete absence within massive limestone rauks notches, to clear signs of erosion within limestone slabs eroded by waves, almost 1 m2 in size.

The Wietrzychowice Cultural Park protects one of the last preserved megalithic barrows constructed by the Funnel Beaker Culture societies at the Kuyavia Lakeland (Central Poland). The nearby archaeological site at & PRIME;Smiely located on the shore of Karas & PRIME;nia Lake provided numerous Mesolithic and Neolithic remains such as flint artefacts, potsherds, arrowheads, and mammal bones with traces of human processing. The lake and peat sediments at the & PRIME;Smiely site provided a unique opportunity to investigate man-environment relationships during the transition period from Mesolithic to Neolithic. The age-depth model for the deposits was based on five radiocarbon dates as well as archaeological artefacts. The multi-proxy study, including geochemistry, pollen, plant macrofossils, Mollusca, Cladocera and Chironomidae analyses, were conducted to recognize palaeoenvironmental changes between 7500 and 3500 BCE. Combining environmental and archaeological data, we attempt to distinguish between natural phenomena triggered by climate factors with those induced by human activity. The data indicated hydrological changes associated with natural factors: (1) the phase of aquatic ecosystem since 7500 to 5800 BCE, (2) the phase of water shallowing between 5800 and 4600 BCE, and (3) the development of alder fen in the lake shore zone since ca. 4600 BCE. Vegetation changes suggest early landscape transformations in Central Poland already due to the activity of Mesolithic societies. Fossil pollen and plant macroremains data combined with detailed map of modern soil distribution in the area allowed to identify pattern of vegetation distribution around the Mesolithic campsite. Neolithic discontinuity of habitation process between ca. 4600 and 4000 BCE (in the times of Brzes & PRIME;c & PRIME; Kujawski Group of Lendyel Culture) can be associated with climate change resulting in Karas & PRIME;nia Lake level lowering.

In this article, we explore the potential for sea-level change and rocky coastal evolution reconstruction hidden in one of the most intriguing rocky coastal landforms in the Baltic Sea region—rauks. Those unique limestone sea stacks are preserved along the coasts of a number of Swedish islands, with Gotland and Fårö as primary locations. We contributed to the long-standing debate on their origin and attempted to investigate the modern geomorphological processes operating on rauks using novel approaches in rock coast studies, including Schmidt hammer rock tests (SHRT)—to characterize zonation in the degree of coastal landforms weathering; traversing micro-erosion meters (TMEM)—to calculate shore platform downwearing rates; and terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) to monitor coastal abrasion and detect sea-level markers (notches) and describe their size and shapes. Our study shows the dominance of mesoscale changes in the shore platform morphology (erosion scars, spalling, and block erosion) over the microscale downwearing carried out by abrasion. We argue that the preservation of rauks along the modern coast of Baltic islands is a result of a favorable sequence of events including the rapid land uplift and their lithological resistance, significantly higher than observed on surrounding platforms and cliffs formed in different types of limestone. Our findings prove that the microrelief of rauks in the form of well-preserved notches records the sea-level changes from at least the late Ancylus Lake period. Finally, we incorporate the results of our observations into the classic notions of rauk formation and highlight the effect of cutting off sea stacks from the operation of littoral processes as a consequence of land uplift and dominance of subaerial weathering over the wave action.

Agriculture has been the major driver of deforestation in Europe in the last 1000 years. In the past, forests were also exploited for charcoal production; however, the spatial scale/extent of this activity and its impact are unknown. LIDAR data can be used as a noninvasive tool to investigate the small-scale diversity of the land relief, including forested areas. These data can reveal the extent anthropogenic modifications of topography present-day as well as in the past. One of the activities that can be analyzed based on LIDAR data is spatial distribution of charcoal production. A preliminary LIDAR data analysis indicated the intensity of this practice and its potential impact on the natural environment. This prompted us to analyze the environmental impact of charcoal hearths in northern Poland. As it turned out, this topic exceeded the scope of earth sciences and became a transdisciplinary one. In this work, we will use the research methods typical of biogeography, dendroecology, paleoecology, soil science, biology, botany, history, onomastics, as well as art history, in order to thoroughly understand not only the natural consequences but also the social and economic consequences of charcoal production. This paper presents the assumptions of our project, the research methodology, and the preliminary results. We have identified using LIDAR data more than 73 thousand relief forms which can be remnants of charcoal hearths. Our preliminary results confirmed large scale impact of past human activity related to charcoal production and suitability of the methods used for detecting and reconstructing charcoal hearths as well as determining the distribution and magnitude of past forest use for charcoal production in NW Poland.

Freeze-thaw action is a common type of geomorphological processes eroding cliff faces in the temperate climate zone. In our previous study, we assessed the geomorphological effects of freeze-thaw fluctuations occurring within the cliff of Jeziorsko Reservoir (central Poland). Based on those findings, we have now determined the number of freeze-thaw cycles to assess their historical impact on the studied cliff. We have also traced the directions and the pace of changes in freeze-thaw processes in Poland. The results reveal a gradually decreasing role of freeze-thaw action in the process of the recession of the cliff of Jeziorsko Reservoir throughout its existence. The same is true nearly across Poland, although with some regional variation. Within 1951-2018, the impact of freeze-thaw action declined most significantly in north-western and central Poland, i.e. the area with the smallest annual number of freeze-thaw cycles. Consequently, this is also where the impact of geomorphological results of freeze-thaw cycles will be the least pronounced. It was only in the north-eastern edges of the country, which are under the dominant influence of continental air masses, where no significant changes in the impact of freeze-thaw processes were identified. The obtained results strongly legitimise the conclusion that global warming in the mid-latitude zone of the temperate climate has reduced the role of freeze-thaw processes in the geomorphological transformation of cliffs developed within river banks and lake or water reservoir shores.

The rate of progression of geomorphological phenomena is greatly influenced by freeze-thaw processes. In the face of air temperature increasing over the past few decades, a question of the future impact of these processes arises, notably in the temperate and cold climate zones. Using the mean, maximum and minimum daily air temperature data in the period 1951–2018 obtained from three weather stations located in the vicinity of Jeziorsko reservoir (central Poland), we have determined the mathematical correlation, described with a polynomial function, between the mean monthly air temperature and the monthly number of freeze-thaw days (FTD). A freeze-thaw day is a day when the maximum air temperature is above 0 °C while the minimum air temperature equals or is below this threshold. The number of FTDs within the study area averaged 64–71 and demonstrated a downward trend of 2–4 FTDs/10 years. The study period (1951–2018), includes a clearly marked distinct sub-period (1991–2018), when the reservoir was in operation, which experienced 58–68 FTDs. Considering the assumed rise in temperature, one should expect a further, though slightly slower, decline in the future number of FTDs. Depending on the accepted model of the temperature increase, which for the area of Poland (Central Europe) in the perspective of 30 years oscillates between +1.1 to +1.3 °C, the number of FTDs within the study area is expected to decline by −4.5 to −5.3 FTD, i.e. 6–7% and 5.4–5.5 FTD i.e. 8–9% respectively.

Global warming has compelled to strengthen the resilience of European forests. Due to repeated droughts and heatwaves, weakened trees become vulnerable to insect outbreaks, pathogen invasions, and strong winds. This study combines high-resolution analysis of a 100-year-old high-resolution peat archive synthesized from the Martwe peatland in Poland with remote sensing data. We present the first REVEALS based vegetation reconstruction in a tornado-hit area from Poland on the background of previous forest management in monocultural even-aged stands – Tuchola Pinewoods. During the 20th century, the pine monocultures surrounding the peatland were affected by clear-cutting and insect outbreaks. In 2012, a tornado, destroyed ca. 550 ha of pine forest around the peatland. The palynological record reflects these major events of the past 100 years as well as changes in forest practices. Our study showed the strong relationships between the decrease of Pinus sylvestris (Scots pine) in palynological record as well as planting patterns after the tornado. Moreover, past forestry practices [such as domination of Pinus sylvestris , the collapse of Picea abies (Norway spruce), low share of Betula spec. (birch) due to Pinus sylvestris promotion and probable also to a lesser by removal of Betula as a “forest weed,” and low plant coverage of tree species due to clear-cutting and cutting after insect outbreaks] were well identified in the proxy record. In monocultures managed over decades, the reconstruction of vegetation may be challenging due to changes in the age composition of the Pinus sylvestris stands. We found that through historical, remote sensing, and paleoecological data, the dynamics of disturbances such as insect outbreaks and tornadoes, as well as the changing perceptions of local society about forests, can be determined.

The aim of this study was to estimate the impact of lake disappearance, groundwater table fluctuations, and some aspects of human pressure on stages of soil cover development in the catchment of Lake Rakutowskie. Research was conducted in soil chronosequence composed of eight soil profiles located in 785-m-long transect. Soils were sampled every 10 cm. Physical and chemical properties were determined with the use of disturbed and undisturbed samples. Radiocarbon dates were obtained for the bottom part of peat in each soil profile. The mineral composition of selected soil samples was determined using the X-ray diffraction (XRD) method. Additionally, the hydrological conditions were continuously monitored from July 27, 2013 to September 23, 2014. An increased rate of shallow lakes overgrowth and final disappearance is a commonly observed process in the European lowlands. This paper presents and discusses the influence of changes in the range of the Lake Rakutowskie wetlands complex (central Poland) and water level fluctuations on soil cover transformation in the immediate vicinity of the lake. Five major phases of soil cover development (from Subaquatic Histosols (Limnic) to Hypereutric Regosol (Drainic, Humic)) were hypothetically reconstructed based on detailed studies of soil physical and chemical properties, mineral composition, water level fluctuations, and radiocarbon dating. The degree of peat decomposition in the studied profiles increased with the distance from the contemporary lake surface. Along with the progressive dehydration and mineralization of organic soils, their physical and chemical properties deteriorated, which is visible, e.g., in soil structure, and mineral and chemical composition (especially TOC and TN). Obtained radiocarbon ages of selected samples indicate that the oldest peat layers developed about 5856 cal BCE (6970 ± 70 14C BP), while the youngest were deposited about 1074 cal CE (980 ± 40 14C BP)–1573 cal CE (300 ± 35 14C BP). Hydrological studies indicate a progressive process of lake disappearance. The process of soil cover transforming of the studied area takes place relatively quick, mainly recently due to the influence of human activity. Based on these results, it can be predicted that the lake will most likely disappear in a relatively short time, and the soil cover will be entirely in the fifth phase (P5) of evolution.

Gotland and its sister island Faro are one of the hidden gems of Baltic Sea rocky coastal landscapes. The most intriguing, both in terms of morphology and evolution, landforms found along local coasts are rauks or raukars. Those limestone (remnants of Silurian reefs) stacks and pinnacles not only tower above present-day rocky shore platforms and beaches but also appear across numerous uplifted marine terraces and inland slopes. Rauks in often occur in groups or fields called raukfält. Surprisingly, those peculiar landforms have been to some extent neglected by geomorphologists and awaited in-depth study of their micro-relief and potential of the well-preserved marine notches to reconstruct past sea-level and environmental conditions operating on rocky coasts over the Holocene. It is important to note that marine notches are commonly treated as one of the best sea-level indicators, as they form close to the local tidal range.In our paper, we present the results of the most recent mapping of raukars fields in key localities in northern Gotland and Faro including Langhammars, Digerhuvud, Gamla Hamn, Lergrav and Asundens. We measured the shape and elevation of marine notches above present-sea level using Terrestrial Laser Scanning and characterized the degree of weathering of rock surface of raukars bases and well-preserved notches using Schmidt hammer rock tests. In addition to morphometric and geotechnical tests, we monitored modern rates of downwearing of shore platform constitution base of rauks and tops of the local cliffs and rocky escarpments. We discuss the results of selected field surveys with well-established climatic reconstructions and the recently constructed Holocene shore displacement curves of Gotland. We hypothesize that the shape of detected notches not only indicate positions of former sea-levels but also could give us an insight into the differences in the efficiency of erosional and weathering processes operating on rauk surface (notch formation) during periods of different salinity and water temperature, characteristic for Holocene evolution of Baltic Sea.This is the contribution to the National Science Centre in Poland project ‘RAUK- forgotten witness of Holocene sea-level changes and development of Baltic rocky coasts’ (UMO-2016/21/D/ST10/01976).

An increased rate of shallow lakes overgrowth is a commonly observed process in the European lowlands. The transition period from the lake to the peatland state is the most productive phase in the whole evolutionary history of a lake. In this study, we analyze the influence of environmental changes in the Lake Rakutowskie wetlands complex (central Poland) and water level fluctuations on soil cover modifications in the immediate vicinity of the lake. Multidisciplinary research was conducted in a transect consisting of eight soil profiles. The transformation of soil cover was reconstructed on the basis of detailed studies of soil characteristics, water level fluctuations, radiocarbon dating, etc. Significant acceleration of the lake decline rate is associated not only with natural processes but predominantly with anthropic pressure. The obtained C 14 dates indicate a very rapid disappearance of the lake. Taking into account the causative factors, the lake will most likely disappear in the next hundreds of years. The contemporary surface of Lake Rakutowskie is several times smaller than in the past, and this is an effect of the influence of natural and anthropogenic factors. Former fibric materials have been transformed into sapric and hemic ones as an effect of soil exsiccation. The next (and last) step in the degradation of organic soils is muck formation. Along with the progressive dehydration and mineralization of organic soils, its physical and chemical properties have deteriorated, which is visible e.g. in soil structure and elemental content, especially TOC and TN. With the disappearance of the lake, larger adjacent areas are subjected to gradual degradation, leading directly to plant cover changes and irreparable landscape modifications.

ABSTRACT Strzelecki, M.C.; Duszyński, F.; Tyszkowski, S.; Zbucki, Ł., and Kasprzak, M., 2020. Rauk - Forgotten witness of Holocene sea-level change and development of Baltic rocky coastal zone: A pilot geomorphological study in Lergrav raukar field. In: Malvárez, G. and Navas, F. (eds.), Global Coastal Issues of 2020. Journal of Coastal Research, Special Issue No. 95, pp. 659–663. Coconut Creek (Florida), ISSN 0749-0208. The Holocene history of Baltic Sea evolution is definitely one of the most interesting and intriguing stories of environmental change in Europe. To date, the key information on changes in sea-level and shifts in the environment associated with climate fluctuations were found in coastal lakes, marshes and wide stripe of barrier-lagoon systems of southern Baltic. Only limited research was conducted along rocky coasts, so characteristic features for Baltic islands from Bornholm, through Oland, Gotland, Fårö, Hiiumaa, Saarema to thousands of isles of Åland Archipelago. Among the most thrilling natural wonders found along Baltic coasts are rauks or raukars, unique limestone stacks—often with humanlike features—that tower above rocky shore platforms in northern Gotland and on Fårö, Gotland's sister island. Raukar coasts are one of the greatest touristic attractions in Sweden and the mythical coastal landscape of northern Gotland and Fårö had inspired many artists, including Ingmar Bergman. Surprisingly, what attracts tourists and artists, have been neglected by geomorphologists and those fascinating landforms still wait for detailed explanation of their origin and preservation. This paper provides insight into pilot geomorphological study of raukar coast in Lergrav, NE Gotland. Schmidt hammer rock tests were applied to characterize the degree of weathering of rock surface of well-preserved notches. The results of notch rock surface resistance and elevation above present sea-level are discussed with recent relative sea-level curves developed in the region.