Abstract
Eutrophication is one of the major threats to the quality of water in high mountain lakes. The inflow of elements having biological origin may significantly aggravate the ecological status of those ecosystems. For this reason, the aim of this study was to map and assess the impact of anthropogenic pressure on alpine lakes in the valley of Dolina Pięciu Stawów Polskich (known in English as the Valley of Five Polish Lakes) in the Tatra National Park in Poland. The effects of tourism and easy access to alpine lakes on changes in their ecological status were determined. Tourist trails were evaluated based on the difficulty of access to the water surface of analyzed alpine lakes, with a method developed for assessing anthropogenic pressure on aquatic ecosystems. The method, deployed for the first time in 2019, was modified and adapted to the local environmental conditions in the research area. The results of this study indicate that tourism pressure contributes to the growth of submerged vegetation in alpine lakes. The presence of aquatic plants (including vascular plants) shows ecosystem response to water enrichment with biogenic substances. The present findings were used to formulate practical recommendations and propose modifications to the evaluated hiking trails. The research method developed in the study can support analysis and control of tourist traffic, thus reducing anthropogenic pressure on alpine lakes in national parks located in mountain areas.
Highlights
Anthropopression is understood as the totality of human activities and factors directly or indirectly related to human activity that lead to the use of natural resources to meet human needs
In Lake Przedni Staw, the bottom area covered by B. trichophyllum was about 8700 m2, of which on the area of 6500 m2, the bottom coverage is from 100% to 50%, while on the surface of 2200 m2—from 50% to 25%
In the case of Lake Mały Staw, B. trichophyllum covers an area of about 1560 m2, of which on an area of 885 m2, the bottom coverage is from 100% to 50%, and on an area of 675 m2—from 50% to 25%.The areas colonized by this species were presented in maps (Figures 4–8) to verify the research hypothesis
Summary
Anthropopression ( known as anthropogenic pressure or human pressure) is understood as the totality of human activities (both planned and accidental) and factors directly or indirectly related to human activity that lead to the use of natural resources to meet human needs. As it might be expected, these activities lead to various changes in the natural environment, but most often they are negative changes causing degradation of the natural environment. Protected areas are highly valued tourist and recreational places due to their attractive landscapes and high level of biodiversity This situation exposes these places to intense anthropopressure, which causes significant damage and adverse changes in these areas. This fact overwhelms the destination and shifts the balance from positive experiences to those where tourism becomes unsustainable) [15,16,17]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
