Dynamics of the Natural Afforestation Process of a Small Lowland Catchment and Its Possible Impact on Runoff Changes

Changes in land use have an impact on changes in renewable water resources. Land use especially in the context of urbanization has been and continues to be widely studied. The role of the forests in ecosystems is well known but there is not much research investigating the impact of natural afforestation on water resources. This paper shows the results of the quantitative changes in the use of the lowland catchment in the last 50 years on the example of the Zagozdzonka river located in central Poland. The results show that the impact of climatic factors on the reduction of water resources in the Zagozdzonka catchment is compounded by socio-economic changes in agriculture, and the positive role of forest areas in the catchment depends on the water demand of the stand. The interactions between forest ecosystems and water retention are strong and, depending on the habitat conditions, they may reduce ground runoff and deepen the water deficit in the catchment area in dry periods.

Automated summary

This paper focuses on the impact of changes in land use in the lowland catchment on water resources in the Zagozdzonka river in central Poland over the past 50 years. Results indicate that climatic factors and socio-economic changes in agriculture play a significant role in reducing water resources, while the positive impact of forest areas in the catchment area depends on water demand. The interactions between forest ecosystems and water retention are strong and may deepen water deficit in the catchment area during dry periods.