Tadeusz Ciupa

Morphological and soil determinants of forest cover changes in Świętokrzyski National Park and its buffer zone in the last 200 years

Abstract The research described in the paper utilized GIS methods and comparative cartography in order to analyze changes in forest cover in the period 1800-2011 in the Świętokrzyski National Park (76.26 km²) and its buffer zone (207.86 km²). The research was done for predefined elevation intervals, slope gradients, and genetic soil types. Source materials included historical maps as well as a digital elevation model. Changes in forest cover were noted in spatial and temporal terms and were usually linked to morphology and soil type. While the 19th century was characterized by intense deforestation, this process reversed starting in the early 20th century. Nevertheless, forest cover in the study area has still not returned to its state from 1800.

Hydrological conditions of the Pietraszki water reservoir designed for the River Sufraganiec (Kielce)

Abstract The Pietraszki water reservoir is designed for the lower part of the River Sufraganiec catchment (61.43 sq km), in the area of Kielce. In those conditions water volume is designed to be about 1.4 hm3, and the reservoir’s maximum depth, 4.2 m. The hydrological characteristics of the ungauged catchment of the River Sufraganiec are based upon the results of stationary field observations held in the cross-section located in the same place as the designed dam head. In the present analysis GIS techniques were also used, based on data obtained from the city’s Spatial Information System and WIOŚ in Kielce. Based on the Digital Elevation Model done with Airborne Laser Scanning, the reservoir area has been designated and its bathymetric and volume curves calculated. The mean annual values of specific runoff (8.8 l s-1 km-2), runoff coefficient (39%), runoff volume (17.2 hm3), specific discharge and the filling time have been determined. The analysis also took into account the annual cycle characteristics including minimum in-stream flow calculated with the use of a number of methods. The performed analysis shows that the River Sufraganiec water resources are enough for the fast filling of the Pietraszki reservoir (depending on the season - from 22 to 114 days), even when applying the most restrictive criteria in minimum in-stream flow calculations. The ecological quality of the River Sufraganiec water in 2014 did show any significant environmental threats. The analysis shows that the quantity and quality of the River Sufraganiec water is enough for the proper functioning of the planned reservoir.

The possibilities of wetland preservation within the depression cones of limestone and marl mines at Leśnica-Małogoszcz and Bukowa in the circumstances of deepening the level of exploitation

Abstract The possibilities of wetland preservation within the depression cones of limestone and marl mines at Leśnica-Małogoszcz and Bukowa in the circumstances of deepening the level of exploitation. As a result of enlarging the depth of exploitation of raw rock material deposits of marl and limestone at Leśnica-Małogoszcz (Przedborsko- Małogoskie Range - Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship), initially to the level of +215 m a.s.l. and then +200 m a.s.l., a mine depression cone will develop, which may threaten the existence of wetlands included in the Natura 2000 network. The wetlands are present in the pre-gorge section of Łososina river flowing through Grząby Bolmińskie and Gnieździskie Hills, at the mouth section of its hydrometrically ungauged tributary - the Wrzosówka river. In the study there has been demonstrated the possibility of preserving the current state of moisture content of the habitats which exist here, taking into account the quantitative characteristics of the components of water cycle and morphological conditions. The analysis of water resources has shown that under the conditions of a functioning mine depression cone, they will be sufficient to supply endangered wetlands and enable their irrigation. The solutions of an ecohydrological character have also been put forward which would compensate the loss of water in the area within the open-pit mine depression cone. This would require the construction of dams (e.g. artificial rapids) in the Wrzosówka river bed and a system of ditches at the bottom of its valley. Streszczenie Możliwości zachowania terenów podmokłych w zasięgu lejów depresyjnych kopalni wapieni i margli Leśnica-Małogoszcz oraz Bukowa w sytuacji pogłębiania poziomu eksploatacji. W wyniku powiększania głębokości eksploatacji surowców skalnych złoża margli i wapieni Leśnica- Małogoszcz (Pasmo Przedborsko-Małogoskie - województwo świętokrzyskie), najpierw do poziomu +215 m n.p.m., a następnie +200 m n.p.m., rozwinięciu ulegnie lej depresji. Może on zagrozić istnieniu obszarów podmokłych wchodzących w skład sieci Natura 2000, położonych w jego zasięgu. Podmokłości te występują w strefi e przedprzełomowej rzeki Łososiny przez Grząby Bolmińskie i Wzgórza Gnieździskie, w ujściowym odcinku jej niekontrolowanego hydrometrycznie dopływu - Wrzosówki. W pracy wykazano możliwość zachowania obecnego stanu uwilgotnienia istniejących tu siedlisk naturowych, z uwzględnieniem charakterystyk ilościowych elementów składowych obiegu wody oraz uwarunkowań morfologicznych. Analiza zasobów wodnych wykazała, że w warunkach funkcjonującego leja depresyjnego będą one wystarczające do zasilania zagrożonych obszarów podmokłych i umożliwią ich nawodnienie. Zaproponowano również rozwiązania o charakterze ekohydrologicznym, które rekompensowałyby ubytki wody na tym terenie w obrębie leja depresyjnego kopalni odkrywkowej. Wymagałoby to wybudowania urządzeń piętrzących (np. próg-bystrotok) w korycie Wrzosówki oraz systemu rowów irygacyjnych w dnie jej doliny.