Overgrowing of Two Polymictic Lakes in Central-Western Poland

This study examined the overgrowth in two eutrophic lakes during the period 1961–2008. In addition, for comparative studies, analyses of plant community structures in these lakes were performed to assess the effects of human pressure, such as water level reduction and increase of nutrient availability on changes in the range of the littoral zone surface. To achieve these aims aerial photos, ortophotmaps, GPS measurements were used to evaluate changes in plant cover in two lakes: Niepruszewskie and Tomickie. Considerable differences between the studied lakes located in an agricultural catchment were observed. Lake Niepruszewskie was characterised by a threefold higher rate of overgrowing, measured per hectare, in comparison with Lake Tomickie. Moreover, in comparison with lake areas, rates of overgrowing were substantialy higher in Lake Tomickie than Lake Niepruszewskie, which is almost seven times bigger. The littoral zones of both lakes are dominated by emergent vegetation. Compared to the data from 1961, the zone of Lake Niepruszewskie increased almost threefold. The biggest changes in overgrowing were observed after reduction of water level (>2002) which was 1.30 ha yr⁻¹. During almost 50 years, emergent vegetation in Lake Tomickie increased more than fivefold. The most intensive growth was observed in years from 1961 to 1986, which amounted to 0.73 ha yr⁻¹. Probably, water level reductions in Lake Niepruszewskie and high eutrophication in Lake Tomickie were recognised as major factors causing intensive overgrowing in the studied lakes.