Electronic Journal of Polish Agricultural Universities (EJPAU) founded by all Polish Agriculture Universities presents original papers and review articles relevant to all aspects of agricultural sciences. It is target for persons working both in science and industry,regulatory agencies or teaching in agricultural sector. Covered by IFIS Publishing (Food Science and Technology Abstracts), ELSEVIER Science - Food Science and Technology Program, CAS USA (Chemical Abstracts), CABI Publishing UK and ALPSP (Association of Learned and Professional Society Publisher - full membership). Presented in the Master List of Thomson ISI.
2007
Volume 10
Issue 4
Topic:
Environmental Development
ELECTRONIC
JOURNAL OF
POLISH
AGRICULTURAL
UNIVERSITIES
Stańczyk T. , Jeznach J. 2007. AN ATTEMPT TO ESTABLISH A TYPOLOGY OF SMALL WATER RESERVOIRS IN THE LEFT-BANK WARSAW AREA, EJPAU 10(4), #03.
Available Online: http://www.ejpau.media.pl/volume10/issue4/art-03.html

AN ATTEMPT TO ESTABLISH A TYPOLOGY OF SMALL WATER RESERVOIRS IN THE LEFT-BANK WARSAW AREA

Tomasz Stańczyk, Jerzy Jeznach
Department of Environmental Improvement, Warsaw University of Life Sciences - SGGW, Poland

 

ABSTRACT

The paper presents the results of an attempt to establish a typology of small water reservoirs in the left-bank Warsaw area. The typology was worked out on basis of data about 278 water reservoirs, collected in GIS database with utilisation cartographical and photointerpretation methods and it was obtained using the cluster analysis. The cluster analysis made it possible to distinguish 16 representative types, each being marked by a large internal homogeneity of the considered five features: water mirror surface area, position in relation to the Varsovian Escarpment, stability of the water supply, naturalness of the water supply, transformation of the closest surroundings.

Key words: typology, water reservoirs, ponds, cluster analysis.

INTRODUCTION

There are 323 small water reservoirs with a surface area from 50 to 5 000 m2 in the area of left-bank Warsaw. Some of them are natural reservoirs (glacial ponds, ponds in old river-beds called also “oxbow lakes”), and some are artificial (e.g. clay-pits, retention reservoirs, ponds in municipal parks). They improve the functioning of ecological cities, and may also serve as reservoirs of storm water or areas set aside for public recreational use.

The variety of properties of water reservoirs appearing in Warsaw area, this proved in inventory research [9], accounts for the need to establish their typology in order to assess the differences and similarities, as well as to choose a representative group to investigate the state of environment and revitalization needs.

In order to establish such a typology the following assumptions were made:

– the division should make it possible to differentiate the reservoirs from the point of view of their naturalness or the extent to which the surrounding environment had been transformed.

– the acquisition of the data necessary should not require any detailed site survey of all the reservoirs, given their very large number and in several cases – limited accessibility.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The data used to establish a typology was acquired in the course of an inventory research on water reservoirs situated in the area of left-bank Warsaw [10]. This research, which encompassed 278 water reservoirs, was conducted using topographical maps (a scale of 1:10 000) published in 2003, aerial photographs (a scale of 1:26 000) of 1996-1997 as well as an orthophotomap of 2005 (www.mapa.warszawa.um.gov.pl). The methods of cartographical analysis and photointerpretation [4] were employed. The analyses were executed using ESRI ArcMap 9.0 software. A database of spatial and descriptive data was created. In numerous cases the data were verified and completed during site surveys.

In the grouping of reservoirs the following features were taken into account:

Surface areas of the reservoirs were determined on the basis of topographical maps (a scale of 1:10 000) published in 2003. If a reservoir was not represented, its surface area was assessed on the basis of measurements taken with a GPS receiver.

The type and the resultant degree of naturalness of the water supply were assessed on the basis of map analyses and literature [1,2,3,5,6,7] as well as field observations. A scale from 1 to 5 defining the naturalness of the water supply was accepted. The least natural (0 value) were the reservoirs supplied with the water from a municipal water pipe or local quaternary wells. The average level of naturalness was assigned to the reservoirs supplied with stormwater collected from roofs and impervious surfaces as well as to the reservoirs supplied with mixed sources (e.g. a water-course, water pipe). The reservoirs supplied with underground and surface waters (a water-course, another reservoir, superficial rafting and shallow subsurface) were recognized as the most natural.

The stability of the water supply was assessed on the basis of the analysis of the above-mentioned aerial photos and studies, as well as field observations. Similarly as the previous feature, the stability of the water supply was assessed using a 5 points scale where 5 corresponded to stable reservoirs, 4 – periodical shortage of water, 3 – periodical lack of water, 2 – periodically filled reservoirs, 1 – ephemeral reservoirs.

The position of the reservoirs in relation to the Varsovian Escarpment was assessed by attributing indices in accordance with the geomorphological region in which they were situated:

The transformation of the closest surroundings of the reservoirs (covering the terrain depression of the reservoir and 50 meters’ wide zone adjacent to it) was estimated by attributing scores to the individual types of land use, predominant and concurrent types being favoured. Different values of the index proposed were accepted for various types of land use (Table 1). The final assessment of the transformation is the sum of 60% of the value of the transformation for the predominant land use type and 40% of the value for the concurrent type.

Table 1. Indices of the transformation of the water reservoirs surroundings

Transformation index

Land use type in the surroundings of the water reservoir

1

forest, park with an old stand, wetlands, water (another water reservoir)

2

aforestation (e.g. mid-field), shrubbery, coppice, shrubby waste land

3

park with the young stand, meadows

4

park with the domination of lawns, grassy waste lands

5

fallows, allotment gardens

6

field, farm buildings, orchards

7

low buildings, blocks of flats

8

office buildings, cemeteries, storehouses

9

industrial, communication areas (roads, car parks, track-ways)

The open water surface area of water and the numerical values of the indices attributed to the above mentioned features were used as the basis for the grouping of the reservoirs using the hierarchic cluster analysis, which is widely applied in natural sciences for an effective search of hidden regularities even in very large data sets [8,11].

The hierarchic agglomeration methods, such as the cluster analysis, make it possible to distinguish homogeneous groups in the analysed sets of objects. The similarity between the objects may be measured using metric, the Euclidean distance being used the most universally. For the purposes of this typology we employed the square Euclidean distance expressed by the formula:

distance (x, y) = ∑ k (xk – yk)2,

where:
x, y – value of studied features,
k = 1,..., n – number of features.

At the beginning of the procedure each object is treated as a separate subgroup. Then in the matrix of distances the smallest element beyond the main diagonal is sought, indicating the subgroups that should be linked on the next stage of agglomeration. This is done using Ward’s method, which takes into account the inter-group variation. In Ward’s method the distance between groups is defined as the absolute value of the difference between the sums of the squares of the distance of the points from the centres of the groups to which these points belong. This method may often lead to creating an even subspanning tree, and during its division groups of similar quantity of objects are created, without subgroups containing simple isolated objects. To break the process of the agglomeration is to make the decision about the division of the tree.

RESULTS

The conducted cluster analysis made it possible to distinguish 16 groups of water reservoirs. The dendrogram representing the degree of similarity of features among the studied reservoirs, received as a result of the cluster analysis, is showed in Fig. 1.

Fig. 1. Dendrogram representing the degree of similarity of features among the studied reservoirs

Fig. 2. Characteristics of distinguished 16 groups of water reservoirs

In order to characterise the isolated group, descriptive statistics containing extreme values and median as well as the first and third quartile were calculated using SPSS 13 statistical software. These statistics are presented in 16 box graphs (Fig. 2).

The individual graph represents values of five studied features for an individual group. The positioning of all features on one graph was possible after their rescaling to the range 0 – 1.

Some additional characteristics of distinguished groups of water reservoirs were presented in Table 2.The situating of the reservoirs belonging to the 16 types is presented in Fig. 3.

Table 2. Additional characteristics of distinguished 16 groups of water reservoirs

Group number

Mean water surface area,
m2

The most common stability of water supply

Water
supply type

Mean depth,
m

Mean coverage of water surface by emergent and floating plants, %

The most common land use type of reservoir surroundings

Pond examples

1

1070

Periodical shortage or lack of water

Underground water

0.6

45

Parks with domination of lawns, fields with farm buildings

Pond in Służewska Valley, Zastruże Pond, pond in Morskie Oko Park

2

1580

Stable

Local stormwater sewers or underground water

0.5

15

Open areas with domination of grassy vegetation,

Struga Lake, pond at Wolicka Str.,pond at Antoniewska Str.

3

4910

Stable

Underground (underescapment) water

0.5

19

Parks with domination of old stand or lawns

Zawadowski Pond, Sielanka Lake, Morskie Oko Pond

4

1400

Stable or periodical shortage of water

Underground (underescapment) water

0.7

17

Forest, parks with old stand or other aforestation,

Łasice Pond, pond 7 near Wilanównka River, Arkadia Pond,

5

630

Ephemeral

Shallow underground (subsurface) or surface water

0.2

53

Forest, parks with old stand or other aforestation,

Ponds w Młociński Park, Suchy Pond, pond near Lisowskie Lake

6

3170

Stable

Water pipe

0.7

4

Parks with young stand

Piaseczyński Pond, Bem's Moat, pond at Dzieci Warszawy Str.

7

1960

Periodical lack of water

Water pipe

0.3

1

Parks with domination of old stand or rarery lawns

Pond in Hibner's Park, Oczko Pond, Rakowiecki Pond

8

19780

Ephemeral

Water-course or shallow underground water

0.2

95

Parks with young stand, shrubbery

Służewiecki Pond, Księży Pond, pond in Szczubełek's Park

9

25630

Stable or periodical lack of water

Underground or shallow underground water

1.5

36

Parks with young stand, shrubbery, meadows

Grabowskie Lake, Zgorzała Lake, Koziorożca Pond

10

13900

Stable

Underground water

2

18

Allotment gardens, wastelands, low buildings

Imielińskie Lake, Sznajder's Pond, Groty Moat

11

15130

Stable

Local stormwater sewers or underground water

0.9

15

Parks with young stand, fields

Pod Morgami Lake, Augustówka Moat, pond near Siekierkowska Route

12

790

Periodical shortage or lack of water

Surface or shallow subsurface water

0.2

40

Wastelands, shrubbery,

Ponds in Kabacki Forest, pond at Trombity Str., pond at Dumki Str.

13

940

Periodical shortage or rarely lack of water

Underground or rarely surface water

0.4

23

Fields, fallows, farm buildings

Zabłocki's Pond, pond 2 at Pozytwki Str., pond at Wełniana Str.

14

3320

Stable

Underground water or rarely water-course

1.5

6

Parks with old stand or forest or other aforestation,

Głęboki Pond, pond near Kabacki Forest, pond in Olszyna Park

15

2600

Stable

Underground water

0.7

9

Parks with domination of lawns, fields, low buildings

Pozytywka Pond, Jeziorzec Pond, Wąsal Pond

16

410

Periodical shortage of water

Local stormwater sewers

0.5

10

Blocks of flats

Zielony Pond, pond at Nowoczesna Str.

Fig. 3. The situating of the reservoirs belonging to the 16 distinguished types

Group (cluster) 1 encompasses 25 reservoirs. These are rather small objects with a surface area from 102 to 4 690 m2. All are supplied naturally. Most of them is characterised by a periodical shortage of water, others are periodically dry.

All reservoirs included into group 1 are situated in the area of the Vistula post-glacial valley, mostly on the flooded terrace. 5 reservoirs are situated in Służewska Valley (under the Escarpment). The degree of the transformation of the closest surroundings is medium.

Fig. 4. Pond in the north part of Służewska Valley (group 1)

Group 2 encompasses 16 reservoirs. The ones found in this group can also be characterised by a relatively small surface area – from 333 to 4 729 m2. Except for 6 reservoirs supplied naturally, these are reservoirs supplied with the stormwater. The whole group is marked by a high stability of the water mirror and in the period examined no shortages of water were found. All reservoirs are situated in the area of one geomorphological unit – flooded terrace. Similarly as in the preceding group the degree of transformation is medium.

Fig. 5. Pond near Wolicka Str. (group 2)

Group 3 encompasses 17 small reservoirs with a surface area from 233 to 8 910 m2. They are all supplied naturally and highly stably (apart from one object). In most cases they are situated under the Escarpment or slightly farther but still on the over-flood terrace, except for one object situated on the lower terrace. The degree of transformation is medium.

Fig. 6. Zawadowski Pond (group 3)

Group 4 encompasses 31 reservoirs. Similarly as in the preceding groups these are characterised by a small surface area not exceeding 1 700 m2.(apart from 5 reservoirs). All reservoirs are supplied naturally. Over half of the group (17 objects) are situated on the flooded terrace. Others are situated on the over-flood terrace, including 11 objects directly under the Escarpment. The degree of transformation is small.

Fig. 7. Pond in Arkadia Park (group 4)

Group 5 encompasses 9 exceptionally small reservoirs with a surface area from 40 to 380 m2. They are all supplied naturally and periodically, and for this reason they are treated as ephemeral reservoirs. 5 of them are situated the over-flood terrace, the remaining 4 on the lower one. The degree of transformation is very small.

Fig. 8. Pond in Młociński Forest (group 5)

Group 6 encompasses 11 reservoirs. These are very small ones with a surface area from 140 to 300 m2 and relatively small ones with a surface area from 3 900 to 9 000 m2. As regards the naturalness and the stability of the water supply and the degree of transformation this group is marked by a large homogeneity. The reservoirs are supplied artificially from a water pipe and – apart from one – have a stable water mirror. The degree of transformation may be referred to as medium regardless of some disparities. As to the situating of the reservoirs, however, the group is very heterogeneous: there are 4 reservoirs on upland, 5 on the over-flood terrace and one under the Escarpment.

Fig. 9. Pond at Dzieci Warszawy Str. (group 6)

Group 7 encompasses 17 reservoirs. Their surface area varies from 180 to 2 140 m2 (apart from one with a surface area amounting to 11 870 m2). All are supplied artificially and the water can be found only periodically. These are concrete park reservoirs typical for the centre of Warsaw. They are emptied in autumn and supplied with the water from a water pipe in spring. Most of them – 12 reservoirs – are situated on upland, but others can be found as well (the over-flood terrace, under the Escarpment). The degree of transformation varies from low to relatively high.

Fig. 10. Pond in Hibner’s Park (group 7)

Group 8 is one of three the least numerous, encompassing only 4 reservoirs. These are objects with a medium surface area, from 15 000 to 26 000 m2. All are supplied naturally but not stably, i.e. ephemerally or periodically. 3 of them are situated near the Escarpment zone and one slightly farther on the over-flood terrace.

Fig. 11. Służewiecki Pond (group 8)

Group 9 also encompasses 4 reservoirs. These are relatively large objects with a surface area from 19 350 to 33 000 m2. All are supplied naturally. Most of them are stable apart from one which is periodical (Lake Zgorzała). All are situated on upland and their closest surroundings have a medium degree of transformation.

Fig. 12. Koziorożca Pond (group 9)

Group 10 encompasses 8 reservoirs. It is very homogenous as regards the naturalness and stability of the water supply and situating and slightly less as to their surface area and the degree

of the transformation of the closest surroundings. A surface area in this group is medium. All reservoirs are supplied naturally and stably and situated on upland. Also in this group their closest surroundings have a medium degree of transformation.

Fig. 13. Sznajder’s Pond (group 10)

Group 11 encompasses only 5 objects and it is completely (very highly) homogenous as regards the stability of the water supply. The reservoirs are large with a surface area from 8 977 to 21 141 m2, and supplied either naturally (2 reservoirs) or with the stormwater collected from the motorway (2 reservoirs). One is supplied artificially with the water from a water pipe. Regardless of the diversified naturalness of the supply, the stability of these reservoirs is very high. All are situated below the Escarpment on the flooded or over-flood terrace. Also in this group the closest surroundings have a medium degree of transformation with a small diversification.

Fig. 14. Augustówka Moat (group 11)

Group 12 encompasses 22 reservoirs and it is highly homogenous as regards surface areas, the naturalness of the water supply and situating. Apart from one object with a surface area of 3 435 m2 they have a surface area from 72 to 2 300 m2. Apart from one they are supplied highly naturally. All are situated on upland. Their stability of supply is highly diversified – from ephemeral ones to the ones with an evident periodical shortage of water. The degree of transformation is from very low – a highly natural area (3 reservoirs) – to medium (the vast majority of reservoirs).

Fig. 15. Pond in Kabacki Forest (group 12)

Group 13, the second most numerous, encompasses 37 objects. Nevertheless, it is very homogenous as regards their surface area, naturalness and stability of the supply and situating. Apart from 2 objects (with a surface area of 4 457 and 7 009 m2) they all have a surface area from 62 to 2 143 m2. Apart from one object they are supplied naturally and apart from one – highly stably. All are situated on upland. The degree of transformation is from relatively low to relatively high, with a predominance of objects of the second type.

Fig. 16. Zablocki’s Pond (group 13)

Group 14 encompasses 28 reservoirs and it is highly homogenous as regards the naturalness and stability of the supply and situating. A surface area is from 160 to 9 834 m2. The naturalness of the water supply is very high. Also their stability (apart from one object) reaches the maximum values. All are situated on upland. Their surroundings may be characterised by a relatively low degree of transformation.

Fig. 17. Pond near Kabacki Forest (group 14)

Group 15 is the most numerous, encompassing 41 reservoirs. It is still very homogenous as regards the naturalness and stability of the water supply, situating and partly – surface area. These are relatively small objects with a surface area from 93 to 7 130 m2 and one has a surface area of 10 530 m2. All are supplied naturally and – apart from one – very stably. All are situated on upland. The degree of transformation is from relatively low to very high with a predominance of lower and medium parts of this range.

Fig. 18. Pozytywka Pond (group 15)

Group 16 encompasses 4 reservoirs. These are very small objects with a surface area from 65 to 82 m2. They are characterised by a low naturalness of the water supply (stormwater or water from a water pipe). Only one is supplied stably and others are threatened with a periodical shortage of water. All are situated on upland and their closest surroundings have a relatively high degree of transformation.

Fig. 19. Pond at Nowoczesna Str. (group 16)

CONCLUSIONS

  1. Small water reservoirs because of their quantity in the left-bank Warsaw area are an important element of the city environmental system. They influence biodiversity, environmental functioning, landscape view values and public recreation.

  2. The variety of features of water reservoirs accounts for the need to create their typological division, which makes it possible to determine the diversity and similarity of features in terms of the diagnosis of the state of the environment and revitalization needs.

  3. It is possible to express the diversity of the population of the analysed reservoirs by a typology obtained using the cluster analysis.

  4. The proposed method made it possible to distinguish 16 representative types, each being marked by a large internal homogeneity of the considered features.

  5. The type the most widely represented (15) embraces 41 reservoirs with a small area (<1ha), supplied naturally and stably, laid on upland, diversified by the degree of the transformation of the surroundings.

  6. The universality of the typological method applied makes it possible to apply it to other areas with numerously occurring water reservoirs.

  7. The presented attempt to establish a typology of water reservoirs in the left-bank area of Warsaw may be a basis to undertake further research with an aim to elaborate a typology of water reservoirs in urbanised and rural areas.


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The research was conducted during realization of the doctoral thesis and a research project sponsored by KBN, entitled “Diagnoza stanu i kierunki rewitalizacji zbiorników wodnych na terenie Warszawy”

 

 

 

Accepted for print: 25.06.2007


Tomasz Stańczyk
Department of Environmental Improvement,
Warsaw University of Life Sciences - SGGW, Poland
Nowoursynowska 166, 02-787 Warsaw, Poland
email: stanczyk@sggw.pl

Jerzy Jeznach
Department of Environmental Improvement,
Warsaw University of Life Sciences - SGGW, Poland
Nowoursynowska 166, 02-787 Warsaw, Poland
email: jerzy_jeznach@sggw.pl

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