Artificial water reservoirs as nature conservation areas in Poland
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.24425/jwld.2025.156034Abstract
Dams give rise to man-made water reservoirs. The most important positive effects are: flood protection, electricity generation, irrigation of agricultural land, and water storage for consumption. However, numerous authors emphasise the negative environmental impacts associated with these structures. These impacts include the interruption of the ecological corridor, alterations in the abiotic and biotic components of river valley ecosystems, and erosion of banks and riverbeds downstream of the dam. Nevertheless, it is asserted that the construction of dams has also created areas of natural value around many artificial water reservoirs in Poland. This article presents compiled data on nature-protected areas that have been originated from the establishment of 58 artificial water reservoirs formed as a result of the construction of a large dam in Poland. Out of the examined water reservoirs, 79.3% were linked to some form of nature protection. Particularly, protected landscape areas were prevalent in the vicinity of artificial water reservoirs, and nature reserves were designated on six of them. Examples include reservoirs where the entire area (Mietków Dam, Turawa Dam, Jeziorsko Dam) or a significant part (Goczałkowice Dam) has been covered by Natura 2000 nature protection. Examples are also given of reservoirs where the immediate surroundings have been covered by nature protection, as the damming of water has created marshy areas conducive to the creation of breeding grounds. These findings affirm that dams contribute positively to the advancement of certain nature conservation zones.References
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