The influence of natural and human-related factors on the water circulation in the Carpathian Foothills (southern Poland)

Abstract

Part of the northern Carpathian Mountains, the flysch-built Carpathian Foothills form a low-mountain area (300–500 m) with dense population and intensive farming. Here, in 1981–1995, a water circulation research project was conducted in the Wierzbanowka catchment basin (11.7 km2), a typical catchment basin of this land. The Carpathian Foothills are characterised with a relatively high fluctuation in the activity of the underground water effluents (outflow), ground water level and watercourse discharge. This is a result of the area's irregular precipitation patterns, low water penetrability of the ground, low underground and surface water retention and of the terrain gradients and the complex relief. The high rate of the water circulation is also a result of the dominance of the agricultural use of land (60–80% of the total area), low forest coverage (10–30%) and the inadequate water resource management. Possible actions aiming to reduce the dynamics of the water circulation in this area should include the following: turning of a portion of the existing farmland into forestland, boosting the area of pastures and meadows, restoration of the natural character of river channels and valley bottoms, reinstating certain small water management facilities (ponds, dykes, etc.).