Volume: 4, 2025
4th International PhD Student’s Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland:
ENVIRONMENT – PLANT – ANIMAL – PRODUCT
Abstract number: P012
DOI: https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL4.P012
Published online: 9 April 2025
ICDSUPL, 4, P012 (2025)
Natural rainwater catchers
Katarzyna Michaś1*
1 Department of Landscape Architecture, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Głęboka 28, 20-612 Lublin, Poland
* Corresponding author: katarzyna.michas@up.lublin.pl
Abstract
Hydrological drought is a global problem. Climate change is forcing local government institutions to optimize precipitation management processes. Today, rainwater management must be preceded by an analysis of the terrain. It is important to develop the drained space and adapt it to water retention. It is particularly important to match the selected facility to its location. The article presents an overview of solutions using plants that retain and purify rainwater in the urban landscape. The subject of the research are four facilities that collect rainwater: a rain garden, an absorbent trough, a bioretention basin and a street outlet. These elements were analyzed in terms of: the structure of the retention system, the possibility of location in urban space, the ability to phytoremediate and the amount of water absorbed. Based on those data a table has been created which compares mentioned solutions. Data accumulated in the table showed that the best-functioning retention system is a rain garden. This is evidenced by its structure and a wide range of plants that translate into the ability to absorb and purify water. The remaining structures, thanks to their different specifications, will prove useful in unusual locations or as support for a rain garden, which is their value. Each of the systems tested can be called a garden for special tasks. Pilot studies of one of the Lublin housing estates showed that equipping the street with an integrated retention system over a length of 400 m would allow for the retention of almost 65,000 l of water in the environment.
Keywords: rainwater, gardens, bioretention, phytoremediation, purifying
How to cite
K. Michaś, 2025. Natural rainwater catchers. In: 4th International PhD Student’s Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland: Environment – Plant – Animal – Product. https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL4.P012