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Evaluation of the hydromorphological state of mountain streams under the influence of contemporary human activity (Polish Carpathians)

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Abstract

This article contains an analysis of the hydromorphological state of mountain streams under contemporary human impact conditions. The subjects of the study are the Jaszcze and Jamne streams, located in the Polish Flysch Carpathians. The hydromorphological state of each stream reflects its habitat quality and depends on a number of natural and anthropogenic features. The research is conducted on the basis of a British method, the River Habitat Survey, which complies with the EU Water Framework Directive. The Habitat Quality Assessment and Habitat Modification Score indices are used to determine the diversification of natural features and the levels of human transformation of the streams studied. The research showed that the largest transformations in stream hydromorphology and habitat conditions occurred in those valley parts characterized by intensive development of building construction and hydrotechnical infrastructure.

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Acknowledgments

The research results presented were financed by the National Science Centre as part of grant No. NN 306 659940 and under statutory activity of IGSO PAS.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geoenvironmental Research, Institute of Geography and Spatial Organization, PAS, Św. Jana 22, 31-018, Kraków, Poland

    Anna Bucała & Łukasz Wiejaczka

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  1. Anna Bucała
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  2. Łukasz Wiejaczka
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Correspondence to Anna Bucała.

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12665_2014_3629_MOESM1_ESM.tif

Photo 1. The Jamne stream in 1968 and 2008 ( see Figs. 2 and 3; authors of photographs: Niemirowski - 1968; Bucała - 2008) (TIFF 588 kb)

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Bucała, A., Wiejaczka, Ł. Evaluation of the hydromorphological state of mountain streams under the influence of contemporary human activity (Polish Carpathians). Environ Earth Sci 73, 3451–3463 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-014-3629-3

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