Roczne i sezonowe zmiany warunków hydrologicznych na obszarze torfowiska Ciemińskie Błota
Annual and seasonal changes in hydrological conditions in the Ciemińskie Błota peat bog area

Summary/Abstract: Peatlands are geographical features, whose most important functions include groundwater and surface water retention, water filtration through the capture of nitrogen and phosphorus compounds, and climate regulation through the accumulation of carbon in peat deposits. Therefore, the main objective of this study is to determine changes in hydrological conditions in raised bogs, using the example of the Ciemińskie Błota bog (located in the Słowiński National Park, on the southern side of Lake Łebsko), resulting from progressive climate change, local environmental conditions and increased anthropogenic pressure, as well as to analyse the variability of water cycle components over time. The work is based on field research carried out in 2018–2021 (measurement of flow in the peat bog’s inflows and outflows, fluctuations in groundwater levels, peat hydration), as well as a review of source materials (precipitation, air temperature) and desk research. As a result, it was established that the Ciemińskie Błota peat bog is experiencing a decrease in annual precipitation and an increase in air temperature, causing increased evapotranspiration. Consequently, seasonal changes in water resources are observed throughout the year, which depend on the growing season of plants and the climatic water balance. Water shortages are recorded during the summer (overdrying of the peat bog), while during the rest of the year the peat bog is well hydrated. According to the Normalised Difference Water Index (NDWI), at the beginning of March (before the growing season), the highest water content was recorded in the centre of the peat bog – on the dome, while during the growing season the situation changed, i.e. the highest water content was recorded in the areas adjacent to the dome, and the lowest on the dome itself. Changes in water resources are also visible in the hydrographic network. The length of the network of canals and ditches during the wet season decreases fivefold compared to the dry season. Large fluctuations in groundwater levels are also recorded. The annual amplitude in extreme situations was over 100 cm, while in a normal year it was around 80 cm. An important aspect of the water relations of the studied peat bog is also water loss through runoff, which averages approximately 250,000 m3 per year.

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