Evaluation of the suitability of anthropogenic reservoirs in urban space for ecological restoration using submerged plants (Upper Silesia, Poland)

Abstract

This paper presents the proposed criteria for the evaluation of mine subsidence reservoirs in areas of underground mining extraction with regard to the ability of such reservoirs to be restored and adapted to perform natural and social functions in urban space. The criteria for the evaluation of the reservoirs’ potential (P) have been analyzed, and factors crucial to the suitability (S) of the aforementioned reservoirs to be ecologically restored with the implementation of the method using submerged vegetation have been identified. The ability of the proposed criteria (qualitative - yes/no and quantitative within the range of -2, -1, 0, 1, 2) to be applied has been verified based on 4 randomly selected mine subsidence reservoirs in Upper Silesia (Poland). The obtained results show that the reservoirs are different in the evaluated potential (P: from -1 to 3) and suitability (S: from -3 to -1). It has been concluded that the 3 proposed stages of the evaluation of reservoirs’ potential and suitability to be adapted enable the categorization and determination of bodies of water for restoration activities. This is even of greater significance as, at present, mine subsidence reservoirs constitute the majority of anthropogenic reservoirs occurring in the post-mining areas.