The environmental and landscape values of the small lowland river valley and their threats on the example of the Kraska river (Masovian Voivodeship)

Abstract

The environmental and landscape values of the Kraska River Valley as the typical example of small lowland water flow path were analysed. The WULS-SGGW method, allowing to the estimation of whole valley reach as well as its peculiar eco-morphological zones, was used. The unregulated, regulated in the years 1990– –2012 and continuously maintained from the year 2015 reaches are present in the valley. It was stated that the unregulated reaches characterise themselves by higher environmental values and biological diversity, especially in the case of invertebrate fauna. The invertebrates, as the key element of the river community, quickly rebuild their structure after the termination of maintenance works. The vertebrate fauna, even unconnected strictly with the riverbed, shows higher values on the unmaintained valley reaches.