Publication details
River restoration in the Czech Republic: ecological consequences of hydromorphological conditions in the Bečva River
| Authors | |
|---|---|
| Year of publication | 2005 |
| Type | Article in Proceedings |
| Conference | RIVER BOTTOM VI, Book of abstracts |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| Field | Land protection |
| Keywords | river restoration; Becva River; hydromorphology; EURO-LIMPACS |
| Description | A long-term occupation of river floodplains by the human settlement and its economic activities caused serious changes in morphology, hydrology and chemistry of watercourses. Increasing degradation of river networks limited use of water. Therefore an improvement of water quality was the primary restoration target focusing mainly on organic pollution, toxic substances and eutrophication. Recently the assessment methods and restoration strategies for stressors related to water chemistry has been developed. The milestone in protection of European aquatic ecosystems is implementation of Water Framework Directive (WFD). This directive aims at maintaining and improving of the aquatic environment in the European Community. The new methods are being developed for detection of various types of anthropogenic stressors. The biological response to physical degradation of aquatic habitats was studied at small streams within STAR project. However, not sufficient information is available for medium sized and large rivers. Assessment methods applied in the monitoring programmes have to be able to detect changes in aquatic communities induced by river deterioration. In terms of WFD, important parameter is the threshold between good and moderate ecological status because its exceeding has to be followed by restoration activities to improve status of water body. The complex ecological assessment is also used for identification of restoration targets and for evaluation of restoration effectiveness. The majority of river restoration projects being realized in the Czech Republic are funded by the Programme for Recovery of River Systems coordinated by the Ministry of Environment. The aims of these projects can be demonstrated on situation in 2003 when 72% of recovery measures were aimed at construction and restoration of water impoundments and only 12% at recovery of natural function of watercourses. The preconditions for a valuable restoration project occurred at the Bečva River after catastrophic floods in 1997. The channel morphology was locally modified by peak discharge. During the reparation of flood damages it was decided to maintain five stretches without regulation. This initial restoration step protected those hydromorphological structures that had been documented from period before regulation of river (historical maps and records). Two of these stretches were included in the research project EURO-LIMPACS as a part of pilot catchment of Bečva River. The relationships between habitat characteristics and river biota were studied at different levels of spatial scale. This multi scale approach should be considered in a restoration of structure, functioning and connectivity of degraded river ecosystems. Bečva River project is presented considering its potential for protection of rare habitats and their biodiversity. |