ABSTRACT1. The European Water Framework Directive requires the determination of ecological status in European fresh and saline waters. This is to be through the establishment of a typology of surface water bodies, the determination of reference (high status) conditions in each element (ecotype) of the typology and of lower grades of status (good, moderate, poor and bad) for each ecotype. It then requires classification of the status of the water bodies and their restoration to at least 'good status' in a specified period.2. Though there are many methods for assessing water quality, none has the scope of that defined in the Directive. The provisions of the Directive require a wide range of variables to be measured and give only general guidance as to how systems of classification should be established. This raises issues of comparability across States and of the costs of making the determinations.3. Using expert workshops and subsequent field testing, a practicable pan-European typology and classification system has been developed for shallow lakes, which can easily be extended to all lakes. It is parsimonious in its choice of determinands, but based on current limnological understanding and therefore as cost-effective as possible.4. A core typology is described, which can be expanded easily in particular States to meet local conditions. The core includes 48 ecotypes across the entire European climate gradient and incorporates climate, lake area, geology of the catchment and conductivity.5. The classification system is founded on a liberal interpretation of Annexes in the Directive and uses variables that are inexpensive to measure and ecologically relevant. The need for taxonomic expertise is minimized.6. The scheme has been through eight iterations, two of which were tested in the field on tranches of 66 lakes. The final version, Version 8, is offered for operational testing and further refinement by statutory authorities.

The aim of this study was to estimate the influence of Ceratophyllum demersum L. and Stratiotes aloides L. on the species richness and phytocoenotic diversity of aquatic vegetation in lakes. The study was based on field investigations in the Łęczna-Włodawa Lake District located in mid-eastern Poland. The studied lakes (32) included both polymictic and dimictic reservoirs. Both in the polymictic and dimictic lakes, statistically significant correlation coefficients were obtained between the parameters that characterize Stratiotes aloides (the frequency in the phytosociological relevés, the percent share of Stratiotetum aloidis association in the phytolittoral) and those characteristic for species richness (the total number of hydromacrophytes, the number of charophytes, elodeids, nymphaeids and lemnids), phytocoenotic richness (the mean number of species in the phytosociological relevés) and phytocoenotic diversity (the Shannon-Wiener Index). The communities with a share of S. aloides are characterized by higher species richness. However, not a single case of statistically significant dependency was reported between the parameters that describe C. demersum (the frequency in the phytosociological relevés, the percent share Ceratophylletum demersi association in the phytolittoral) and the vegetation traits in both lake groups. Common occurrence of Stratiotes aloides might be considered to be evidence for good status of an aquatic ecosystem and a very good indicator of species richness and diversity of aquatic vegetation.

Changes in the spatial structure of submerged macrophytes in Lake Rotcze (Łęczna-Włodawa Lakeland)The aim of this study is to present short-term changes in the spatial structure of water vegetation in Lake Rotcze. Field studies were carried out during the growing seasons of 2000 and 2005. The obtained results allowed to estimate the following parameters that characterize the spatial structure of macrophytes: species frequency in particular ecological groups, the average vegetation cover in these groups, the average cover of particular species, both in the whole reservoir and in different depth ranges, as well as the PVI (Percent Volume Infested) coefficient for ecological groups. The frequency and cover of some species and ecological groups of macrophytes changed during the study period.

A b s t r a c t. Harmonious planning of agro-forestry landscapes plays a increasing role in building a social satisfaction flowing from the high quality of the environment on the rural areas. It is also a very good way to create a unique place identity of protected areas, rest areas etc. especially valuable regions. The objectives of the paper are: 1) elaboration the method of evaluation and mapping the physiognomic landscape composition on the rural areas with a high natural values; 2) testing this method on dominated by forests, peatbogs and arable lands the central part of the West Polesie UNESCO Biosphere Reserve (Eastern Poland); 3) formulation of guidelines on the design of landscape interiors and view openings composition, highlighting the unique features of West Polesie landscape and building a sense of the place identity; 4) to show the necessary to enshrine the values of physiognomic landscape composition in land use policy. In evaluation and mapping the landscape composition, a special attention was paid to the role of agro-forest ecotones. The results of the research part of the study as well as a guidelines on landscape design have been presented in the form of a map, study figures and a description.

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The aim of this study was to characterize the phytocoenoses with a share of Nuphar lutea (L.) Sibth. & Sm. and to evaluate the area of patches of Nupharo-Nymphaeetum albae Tomaszewicz 1977 as well as resources of the yellow water lily that can be used as a source of valuable medicinal raw material. The field investigations were carried out in the summer seasons of 2009–2018, and fifty-eight lakes were included in this study. Nuphar lutea is a very interesting plant species due to considerable concentration of secondary metabolites and their biological activity. Therefore, under conditions of eastern Poland, it can be a valuable raw material for pharmaceutical purposes. The largest Nupharo-Nymphaeetum albae phytocoenoses with N. lutea as the main floristic component are localized especially in retention reservoirs connected with the Wieprz-Krzna Canal and other lakes of a natural character. They are often very shallow basins. Therefore, removal of a biomass, especially in the case of small lakes that overgrow at a very rapid rate, can significantly slow down their shallowing and they will remain and function in the landscape over a longer time. Harvesting the N. lutea leaves can decelerate the process of shallowing of water bodies, especially in the case of retention reservoirs, and may contribute to their better functioning. Collected raw material can be a source of valuable secondary metabolites suitable for the pharmaceutical industry.