Protected areas due to their long-term protection are expected to be characterized by good water quality. However, in catchments where arable fields dominate, the impact of agriculture on water pollution is still problematic. In Poland, recently, the fertilization level has decreased, mostly for economic reasons. However, this applies primarily to phosphorus and potassium. In order to evaluate the impact of agriculture on water quality in a protected area with a high proportion of arable fields in the aspect of level and type of fertilization, complex monitoring has been applied. The present study was carried out in Wielkopolska National Park and its buffer zone, which are protected under Natura 2000 as Special Areas of Conservation and Special Protection Areas. The aim of the study were (1) to assess the impact of agriculture, with special attention on fertilization, on groundwater, and running water quality and (2) to designate priority areas for implementing nitrogen reduction measures in special attention on protected areas. In our study, high nitrogen concentrations in groundwater and surface waters were detected in the agricultural catchments. The results demonstrate that in the watersheds dominated by arable fields, high nitrogen concentrations in groundwater were measured in comparison to forestry catchments, where high ammonium concentrations were observed. The highest nitrogen concentrations were noted in spring after winter freezing, with a small cover of vegetation, and in the areas with a high level of nitrogen application. In the studied areas, both in the park and its buffer zone, unfavorable N:P and N:K ratios in supplied nutrients were detected. Severe shortage of phosphorus and potassium in applied fertilizers is one of the major factors causing leaching of nitrogen due to limited possibilities of its consumption by plants.

River Habitat Survey (RHS) data collected for the EU-funded STAR project was used to identify hydromorphological characteristic features of rivers in four European regions namely: lowlands; mountain; the Alps; and the Mediterranean. Using RHS attributes, Habitat Quality Assessment (HQA) -a measure of natural habitat diversity, and Habitat Modification Score (HMS) -a measure of anthropogenic modification, we identified considerable differences in frequency, diversity and evenness of features between the regions. A relatively small subset of features clearly distinguish the hydromorphological characters of lowland, Alpine and southern European rivers. It was more difficult to distinguish mountain rivers from Alpine rivers. The highest statistical differences are observed between Lowland and Mountain region. Within the four regions studied the RHS attributes that most strongly influence the HQA and HMS indices were identified. We conclude that specific effort should be made to ensure these are recorded properly as part of the quality control of RHS data.

No abstract

The effect of water level reduction on nutrient concentrations and productivity of emergent macrophytes was analyzed in a shallow, polymictic lake, located in Central-Western Poland. The water level was regulated for irrigation purposes from 1974 to 2002, with an average amplitude of 0.85 m. In 2002, the water level was reduced by 0.60 m during winter time and by 0.40 m in summer time. Nutrient concentrations, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium standing stocks and aboveground biomass production were compared among four vegetation types along with a moisture gradient in the littoral zone. This study was conducted in the littoral zone of Lake Niepruszewskie during the growing seasons in 1999-2001 (1st period with high water level) and [2005][2006][2007][2008] (2nd period with low water level). The reduction of water level resulted in a negative effect on biomass production and nutrient concentrations. Stoichiometric indexes, like N:P and N:K ratios, indicate that the shift in nutrient limitation due to changes in hydrological conditions caused a reduction of the nutrient uptake by vegetation and affected productivity. The decrease in the aboveground biomass production was more marked at sites that were less affected by drainage, i.e., permanently flooded. However, in drawdown areas, plant growth decreased. Species including Phragmites australis and Carex acutiformis coped better with the reduction of water levels than Typha angustifolia and Glyceria maxima.

No abstract