Ecohydrological system analysis of the Lower Biebrza basin

The Biebrza National Park, situated in north-east Poland, is a unique environment of wetland with very well developed zones of peat ecosystems. At present the wetlands are threatened by numerous factors associated with human activity (drainage, ceasing of mowing) as well as natural succession. Understanding the hydrology gives a proper basis for nature management in the area. The physically-based groundwater and surface water model SIMGRO was used to gain insight in the regional ground-water flow. Using these results, flow lines were calculated, giving information on the sources of water flows to the different ecosystem types in the river basin. Major sources of water are from the glacial plateau, the river water system as water flowing to the Biebrza river and a local system in the flood plains of the Biebrza valley. All this information is important for preserving suitable hydrological conditions for the various wetland types.