Joanna Sender

Diversity of Aquatic Ecosystems in Urban Areas - Public Expectations

Abstract In urban ecosystems, typically created by humans, it is very difficult to balance the needs of all its inhabitants. Significance of nature in the cities has been perceived since the ancient times. In the city there are many problems associated with the lack or sometimes excess of water, as well as poor quality. In times of water resources decline and their progressive degradation, each aquatic ecosystem should be investigated because of its values. Among the aquatic ecosystems occurring in the cities, there are: river valleys, natural lakes, water reservoirs, as well as small bodies of water. The aim of this study is to raise public awareness about the role of aquatic ecosystems in cities with different sizes and with a varying number of inhabitants. All respondents in each type of city felt the need of water presence in their surroundings and treated it as a necessary part of the proper functioning, as well as a place for rest and recreation. However, lack of management and a poor ecological status of them were noticed Résumé La diversité des écosystèmes aquatiques dans les zones urbaines - les attentes du public. Dans les écosystèmes urbains, généralement créés par l’homme, il est difficile d’évaluer les besoins de tous les habitants. L᾽importance de la nature dans les villes a été perçu depuis les temps anciens. En ville, il existe des problèmes liés à l᾽absence et parfois l᾽excès d’eau, ainsi que sa mauvaise qualité. En période de déclin des ressources en eau et de leur dégradation progressive, chaque écosystème aquatique devrait être étudié en raison de sa valeur. Parmi les écosystèmes aquatiques présents dans les villes, il y a des vallées fluviales, des lacs naturels, des réservoirs d’eau, ainsi que de petits plans d᾽eau. L᾽objectif de l᾽étude était de déterminer la sensibilité du public aux écosystèmes aquatiques dans des villes de taille et de nombre d᾽habitants différents. Toutes les personnes interrogées provenant de chaque type de ville ont fait part de leur besoin de présence d᾽eau dans leur environnement, perçu comme un élément nécessaire à son bon fonctionnement. Les sites aquatiques constitues également des lieux de repos et de loisirs. Cependant, la mauvaise gestion de l’eau et le mauvais état écologique des eaux ont été soulignés Rezumat Diversitatea ecosistemelor acvatice în zone urbane - aşteptările publicului. În ecosistemele acvatice urbane, în general create de om, este foarte dificil să se echilibreze necesităţile tuturor locuitorilor. Importanţa prezenţei naturii în oraşe a fost recepţionată din timpuri străvechi. În oraş există multe probleme legate de absenţa, câteodată de excesul dar şi de calitatea proastă a apelor. În perioadele de declin ale resurselor de apă şi degradarea lor progresivă este necesară studierea valorii fiecărui ecosistem acvatic. Între ecosistemele acvatice din oraş există atât văi fluviale, lacuri naturale, rezervoare de apă, cât şi corpuri mici de apă. Obiectivul acestui studiu a fost determinarea sensibilizării publicului cu privire la rolul ecosistemelor acvatice din oraşe diferenţiate în funcţie de mărime şi număr de locuitori. Toţi cei interogaţi din fiecare tip de oraş au simţit necesitatea prezenţei apei în împrejurimile lor, văzând-o ca un element necesar pentru buna funcţionare, dar în aceeaşi măsură şi ca loc de odihnă şi de agrement. În acelaşi timp a fost remarcat modul deficitar de gestionare a apelor şi starea lor ecologică de calitate redusă

Natural Values of the Urban River Valley and the Possibilities of its Development – Bystrzyca River Valley Study Case (Poland)

Abstract The paper presents the multi-functionality of the river valley in ecological, social and economic terms. The biotic and abiotic elements, as well as aspects of its protection and environmental threats were characterized. Successively, based on above research, public participation and SWOT analysis, a variant design was carried out. Finally, the concept of the development of the Bystrzyca River valley and its surroundings was developed, mainly aimed at the protection, enrichment, development of recreation and fulfill social needs in accordance with principles of landscape design and sustainable development.

Floristic Diversity of Lakes Subjected to Long Term Changes in the Water Network of the West Polesie (Eastern Poland)

Abstract The Wieprz-Krzna Canal, built in 1961, is one of the longest in Poland (142 km). Although the drainage construction was intended to revitalize the region of wetlands and peat-bogs of the West Polesie, it caused large hydrological changes. Research on catchments of three natural lakes and three retention reservoirs involved cartographic analysis using photointerpretation, as well as the Braun-Blanquet method. In the studied area, between 1939 and 2016 the length of rivers and ditches increased more than three times. Macrophytes covered about 20-27% of the natural lakes water surface, whereas in retention reservoirs the coverage was 12-15.5%. Also a greater diversity of macrophytes occurred in natural lakes. In retention reservoirs it was restricted to only emerged macrophytes.

Land-Use Change Scenarios of Chosen Small Water Body – Public Participation for a New Reality

Abstract The object of this study was a small water body adjacent to the Zemborzycki Reservoir. The aim of the study was to find an optimal way of management of the small water body’s surroundings based on scenario building and public participation. The three following scenarios of the small water body’s surroundings’ management with a leading role were used: a) ecological and educational, b) representative and recreational, and c) left in its current form. As a result of the public participation conducted in 2011, it was shown that the ecological and educational scenario is the most optimal for the respondents; and in 2012, implementation had been undertaken. In the decision-making process, a public participation seems to play an important role because actions are accepted, thus fulfilling needs of most users and allowing for identification of the society within a given place.

A Touristic Concept of Land Management of Zaklików’s Reservoir Based on its Natural Values (South-Eastern Poland)

Abstract The aim of the study was to determine actions towards enrichment of natural aspects of the water reservoir in Zaklików, with consideration of nature protection and social needs. For this purpose, physical and chemical parameters of the reservoir, floristic and physiognomic characteristics of the area, cartographic analysis of land use, natural and touristic valorisation, and the concept of tourism development of the area were considered. The reservoir, based on the ESMI index, rated as moderate ecological status. The highest natural and tourist values, as well as the highest intensity of conflict between them, were located in the north-eastern and central part of the study area. Based on all analyzes, a concept of development of the study area was created, consistent with the local development plan.

Floristic diversity of midforest lakes (Sobibór Landscape Park, Poland)

Abstract Aquatic vegetation greatly impacts lake functions. Forest ecosystems surrounding lakes are effective protection zone of lakes and their associated flora and fauna. The presence of aquatic plants depends on many factors, including the chemical composition and acidity of water, the shape of the lake catchment, the angle of slope along shorelines and the management of surrounding lands. Natural ecosystems throughout Eastern Europe are threatened by anthropogenic activities. Aquatic systems and bogs are particularly sensitive to disturbances. The aim of the study was to determine the influence of land management, forest type and stand age on aquatic plant colonisation within lakes as well as to quantify and qualify the structure of macrophyte communities within two lakes, Płotycze Sobiborskie and Orchowe, located in the Sobibór Landscape Park in western Poland. Even though there were few bogs within the catchment areas and lake buffer zones, where they did occur they had the greatest effect on macrophyte presence. The results of this research indicate that in the absence of anthropogenic disturbances midforest water-bog complexes are relatively stable systems and preserve their natural character. The applied multi-criteria evaluation of macrophytes in the studied lakes and their surrounding buffer zones and catchment areas allowed the lakes to be characterised as lakes with a good ecological status.