Abstract:Hydromorphological and landscape valorization of the Poprad river valley. The paper presents the results of hydromorphological and landscape valorization. The research was carried out in the Valley of the Poprad River, in the section from Piwniczna-Zdrój to Rytro (Małopolska voivodship). The hydromorphological valorization was made using the method of the evaluation of hydromorphological quality of the river. ECOVAST method was used for landscape valorization. On the basis of the research, Authors concluded that the research area is characterized by considerable hydromorphological variability, in particular in relation to the fl oodplains terraces and their connectivity with the main channel of the river. At the same time the valley of the Poprad river is characterized by the landscape of regional signifi cance, with a very large tourist potential.

The aim of the article is to show how the fluvial processes in rivers and their valleys can support wetland restoration activities. The exemplary objects were localized in the Upper Vistula Basin (Poland) and dealt with riverbed stability, channel capacity as well as revitalization of rivers with their valleys regarding wetland restoration. All of the mentioned parameters depend on the intensity of fluvial processes in rivers, especially meandering, anastomozing or braided. Rivers always tend to reach the state of hydrodynamical balance reflecting the actual river dynamics. The nature of channel transformation is quite complex. For example, the curvature of natural river increases proportionally to the transported load alimentation and inversely to the slope of the river. The human-modified rivers also tend to increase the curvature of their channels. Interestingly, all rivers create wetlands in the areas naturally connected to the main channel. Those wetlands are regularly watered by flood events. As a result, the areas with wetlands are a perfect natural environment for fauna and flora. River channels which are situated close to such an environment are also rich in fish and invertebrates. Wetlands in mountainous areas are rare or unique unlike in lowlands where they are more likely to be found. The channel incision reduce a possibility of wetland formation in the river valley, especially after bank enforcement. The presented case studies are the effect of different projects running by the Department of Water Engineering and Geotechnics, the University of Agriculture in Kraków on the rivers and streams: Vistula, Nida, Porębianka, Czarny Dunajec. These rivers differ in many aspects; however, each of the them is located in an area where wetlands or wetted areas are likely to appear. Among the described rivers are lowland and mountain rivers. Some of them are managed according to the European Water Framework Directive, i.e., in a close-to-nature manner.

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