Małgorzata Kijowska-Strugała

A Spatial and Temporal Analysis of Land Use Changes in Two Mountain Valleys: with and without Dam Reservoir (Polish Carpathians)

Abstract This study analyzed the temporal and spatial changes in land use taking place in two adjacent river valleys, located within the Polish Carpathians. The land use in 1977 and 2009 was presented for selected areas. In one of the valleys, a dam has been operating since 1994 along with a retention reservoir, which is an additional factor influencing the direction and scale of the land use changes. An analysis using GIS techniques showed that the general directions of transformation in both valleys in the land use structure are similar but with different intensity. In studied valleys a decrease of area with agricultural land and gradual increase in the forested area have been observed. In the valley with the reservoir few more changes were noticed. The decrease of the forested area by 5.5% and farmland by 8.2% on the areas submerged by reservoir was observed. The strip fields pattern has been changed into more dispersed. The road network development was also observed, as well as the change of nature of residential/agricultural buildings into residential/recreational.

Influence of Reservoirs on the Concentration of Nutrients in the Water of Mountain Rivers

Abstract The aim of the analysis was to demonstrate the role of reservoirs in shaping nutrient content (nitrates NO3- and phosphates PO43- as well as ammonia NH4+) in the waters of mountain rivers. Three Carpathian rivers with reservoirs in their courses were selected for the study: the Ropa River (Klimkowka reservoir), the Dunajec River (the Czorsztyn-Sromowce Wyzne reservoir complex) and the Raba River (Dobczyce reservoir). The basic criteria for the selection of the study objects for the investigation were: similar hydrological regime of the rivers and diverse parameters and functions of the storage reservoirs. The analysis of nutrient concentration was based on a long-term series of measurements (2004-2013). The reservoirs investigated generally contribute to an increase in nitrates in the rivers flowing below the reservoirs in particular months. The role of reservoirs in shaping phosphate and ammonia levels was not as evident as in the case of nitrates. The reservoirs are merely one of numerous factors that contribute to nutrient levels in the water of the mountains rivers. In the light of the analysis of nutrient concentrations in the surface water tested, it may be concluded that the reservoirs do not cause a clear and permanent deterioration of river water quality.

Wieloletnie tendencje warunków klimatycznych w Szymbarku na podstawie wybranych wskaźników = Long-term climatic trends in Szymbark (Poland), based on selected indicators

Zarys treści. Analiza wieloletnich zmian warunków klimatycznych została przeprowadzona na podstawie danych Stacji Badawczej IGiPZ PAN w Szymbarku (Karpaty Zachodnie) z okresu 1971–2015 z wykorzystaniem wybranych wskaźników klimatycznych. Badania wykazały intensyfikację cech klimatu kontynentalnego. Odnotowano trend wzrostowy średniej rocznej temperatury powietrza (0,4°C/10 lat) przy jednoczesnym wzroście sumy opadów atmosferycznych (16 mm/10 lat). Skutkiem obserwowanych tendencji wieloletnich jest coraz częstsze występowanie miesięcy ciepłych i wilgotnych, szczególnie w okresie letnim i zmniejszenie się liczby miesięcy chłodnych i suchych. Na wielkość i tendencje wskaźników klimatycznych w większym stopniu wywiera wpływ wzrost temperatury powietrza niż wzrost sum opadów.

HYDROMORPHOLOGICAL STATE AND HABITAT QUALITY OF MOUNTAIN RIVERS ABOVE AND BELOW RESERVOIRS (THE POLISH CARPATHIANS)

The paper presents the results of studies concerning the assessment of the hydromorphological state and habitat quality of two Carpathian rivers (the Wisłok and Ropa rivers), along sections situated above and below the reservoirs operating in the course of these rivers. The investigation was carried out based on the British method called River Habitat Survey (RHS). On the basis of the data collected, for each study section, synthetic indices HQA (Habitat Quality Assessment) and HMS (Habitat Modification Score), which enable assessment of the river habitat quality, were calculated. The analysis performed indicates that the sections of the Wisłok river considered, both above and below the Besko reservoir, fall into Class 2, which points to a good hydromorphological state and habitat quality. The Ropa river is characterised by moderate hydromorphological state (Class 3) above the Klimkówka reservoir and by good state (Class 2) below its location.

EFFECT OF A RESERVOIR OPERATION ON RELATIONS BETWEEN RIVER WATER TEMPERATURE AND AIR TEMPERATURE

The article presents relations between water temperature in the Ropa river (the Polish Carpathians) and the air temperature in the longitudinal profile of the river, taking into account the distortions resulting from the operation of Klimkówka reservoir. The analysis is based on measurements of water and air temperature of the river upstream and downstream of the reservoir in various air temperature conditions in the daily and annual cycle. The observed disturbances in the relation between water and air temperature result from a transformation of the natural thermal regime of the river downstream of the dam. Therefore, in any research into relations between river water temperature and air temperature, the effect of reservoirs on river water temperature must be taken into consideration. It is important for predicting the impact of potential climate change on river ecosystems.