The goal of the project is to enlarge upon the knowledge of the ecology and history of spring ecosystems we have gained during our studies in the westernmost Carpathians from 1999 to 2001. Therefore, new scientific aspects can will be included. Further, we intend to extend our study area. The project will obtain new and verify existing data about species composition and structure of the communities of leading biota (algae, cyanophytes, fungi, mosses, vascular plants, molluscs, heliozoa, testate amoebae) in spring ecosystems, their mutual interactions, and relations between biotic and abiotic components of the system. In this connection, special attention will be paid to monitoring the dynamics of Ca, Mg, Fe, K, Na, SO4, NO3, NH3, PO4, Cl, total phosphorus, redox-potential, pH and conductivity in spring water. These factors seem to be decisive for the condition and functioning of the system as a whole. Further, plots treated by various types of management (mowing regimes) will be compared. Palae

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