Factors Influencing Helophyte Distribution in Lakes (Eastern Poland)

The aim of the study was to show which morphometric traits of lakes influence the development of the rush zone of lakes and how buffer zone management influences analyzed features of rushes. We also checked what analyzed features of rushes influence the trophy of the lake, or the type of its supply. The average area inhabited by helophytes in studied lakes of the Łęczna-Włodawa Lake District was 19% among all lakes. The lowest values of the analyzed features of rushes were found in lakes without inflow and outflow. Therefore, favourable conditions are found in inlet lakes, fed mostly with fertile waters from the Wieprz-Krzna Canal. We confirmed the hypothesis that the natural way of management of the buffer zone, the largest lakes of the Łęczna-Włodawa Lake District, generates the highest values of the studied features of emergent macrophytes. Therefore, it is the best form of their development. In addition, among the morphometric features of lakes the most important impact on the development of rushes had the type of feeding the lake, while the type of lake use turned out to be irrelevant. Among the physico-chemical parameters of water, the visibility and pH of the water had a significant influence on the features of the rushes, while the electrolytic conductivity was irrelevant.