Volume: 1, 2022
1st International PhD Student’s Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland: ENVIRONMENT – PLANT – ANIMAL – PRODUCT
Abstract number: E011
DOI: https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL1.E011
Published online: 26 April 2022
ICDSUPL, 1, E011 (2022)
Effect of activity of Castor fiber L. on changes in river hydromorphology
Katarzyna Połeć1*, Antoni Grzywna1, Monika Tarkowska-Kukuryk2
1 Department of Environmental Engineering and Geodesy, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Leszczyńskiego 7, 20-069, Lublin, Poland
2 Department of Hydrobiology and Protection of Ecosystems, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Dobrzańskiego 37, 20-262, Lublin, Poland
* Corresponding author: katarzyna.polec@up.lublin.pl
Abstract
The study presents the problem of the influence of the European beaver activity on changes in the hydromorphology of rivers. The aim of the research was to determine the influence of the European beaver species Castor fiber L. on the hydromorphological state of rivers. A comparative analysis of changes in the hydromorphological parameters of river beds between the areas of beaver occurrence and the areas not affected by the influence of this species was performed. The research was carried out on the rivers: Włodawka, Mietiułka, Piwonia, Tyśmienica and Świerszcz and Szum, located in the Eastern Poland. 20 research points were selected – type A habitats related to the location of beaver dams and type B habitats, in which the presence of beavers was not recorded. The research was carried out on the basis of the British River Habitat Survey (RHS) method, while the river condition assessment was based on the Hydromorphological River Index (HIR). As a result of the conducted research, differences in the Habitat Quality Assessment (HQA) and Habitat Modification Score (HMS) values were found between the A and B sites. Changes were observed in: stream heterogeneity, river bed material heterogeneity and diversity of elements accompanying tree cover. Habitat Quality Assessment values ranged from 20.5 (habitat type A) to 48 (habitat type B). The values of the hydromorphology transformation index ranged from 0 to 30.5. The average HIR value for habitats type A and B was 0.585 and 0.535 respectively. On the basis of the calculated HIR index, the analyzed sections were assigned different water status classes (2nd, 3rd and 4th class). The activity of the European beaver contributes to changes in the environment and water management, influencing changes in the course of the river bed. The habitat of the European beaver has a positive effect on the hydromorphology of rivers. European beavers, by modifying river beds, contribute to the naturalization of the catchment areas and the restoration of the original ecological state of rivers.
How to cite
K. Połeć, A. Grzywna, M. Tarkowska-Kukuryk, 2022. Effect of activity of Castor fiber L. on changes in river hydromorphology. In: 1st International PhD Student’s Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland: Environment – Plant – Animal – Product. https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL1/E011