15 Monitoring of Small Catchments in …
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15.8 Conclusions
The Struga Toru´ nska catchment represents the dominant form of land use in Poland—
arable land. The catchment is under strong pressure from agricultural activity. The
influence of the nearby city—Toru´ n is also marked. Here, the processes typical of
the suburban area take place: land use changes, residential houses are being built, the
industry develops, service facilities are created, the network of roads and highways
is expanding.
The functioning of the agricultural catchment of Struga Toru´ nska is influenced by
climate change, air temperature increases, there is often no thermal winter, and the
growing season has extended. Atmospheric precipitation is characterized by considerable variability from year to year. Droughts or months with high rainfall are more
and more frequent. Lack of permanent snow cover changes the water cycle and affects
the functioning of the biosphere, including the cultivation of plants.
Despite the intensification of anthropopression, positive changes in the catchment
of Struga Toru´ nska are observed. The air pollution has decreased (mainly SO 2 ),
however, the NO x level shows an increase related to the intensity of car traffic. The
pH of atmospheric precipitation rises and their electrolytic conduction decreases.
The quality of surface water is strongly affected by agricultural activity.
15.9 Recommendations
In the Struga Toru´ nska catchment, it is necessary to continue research and monitor
the state of the environment. The problems are:
1. Changes in the functioning of the catchment ecosystem caused by the increase
of air temperature and intensification of extreme weather phenomena.
2. Pollution of air by local emissions from industrial, municipal and communication
facilities as well as agricultural areas.
3. Disorders of natural water outflow caused by melioration treatments.
4. Pollution of surface and underground water, mainly as a result of agricultural
activity.
5. Soil degradation as a result of excessive agricultural use, including soil erosion.
6. Reduction of biodiversity in a forestless area, expansion of invasive species.
7. Threats caused by the development of construction in the suburban area of Toru´ n
and the communication network and the increase of car traffic.
Acknowledgements The research and article were accomplished as part of the Integrated Environmental Monitoring programme financed by the National Fund for Environmental Protection and
Water Management.
369
15.8 Conclusions
The Struga Toru´ nska catchment represents the dominant form of land use in Poland—
arable land. The catchment is under strong pressure from agricultural activity. The
influence of the nearby city—Toru´ n is also marked. Here, the processes typical of
the suburban area take place: land use changes, residential houses are being built, the
industry develops, service facilities are created, the network of roads and highways
is expanding.
The functioning of the agricultural catchment of Struga Toru´ nska is influenced by
climate change, air temperature increases, there is often no thermal winter, and the
growing season has extended. Atmospheric precipitation is characterized by considerable variability from year to year. Droughts or months with high rainfall are more
and more frequent. Lack of permanent snow cover changes the water cycle and affects
the functioning of the biosphere, including the cultivation of plants.
Despite the intensification of anthropopression, positive changes in the catchment
of Struga Toru´ nska are observed. The air pollution has decreased (mainly SO 2 ),
however, the NO x level shows an increase related to the intensity of car traffic. The
pH of atmospheric precipitation rises and their electrolytic conduction decreases.
The quality of surface water is strongly affected by agricultural activity.
15.9 Recommendations
In the Struga Toru´ nska catchment, it is necessary to continue research and monitor
the state of the environment. The problems are:
1. Changes in the functioning of the catchment ecosystem caused by the increase
of air temperature and intensification of extreme weather phenomena.
2. Pollution of air by local emissions from industrial, municipal and communication
facilities as well as agricultural areas.
3. Disorders of natural water outflow caused by melioration treatments.
4. Pollution of surface and underground water, mainly as a result of agricultural
activity.
5. Soil degradation as a result of excessive agricultural use, including soil erosion.
6. Reduction of biodiversity in a forestless area, expansion of invasive species.
7. Threats caused by the development of construction in the suburban area of Toru´ n
and the communication network and the increase of car traffic.
Acknowledgements The research and article were accomplished as part of the Integrated Environmental Monitoring programme financed by the National Fund for Environmental Protection and
Water Management.