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INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION ON WATER SCIENCES AND RESEARCHthat triggers the formation of cyanobacterial bloom. Due to the highconcentration of phosphate in the groundwater and seepage water,a limestone-based biogeochemical barrier was constructed to reducephosphorus levels through absorption and precipitation. Preliminaryresults indicate that phosphate concentration in the groundwater wasreduced by 58 per cent after it flowed through the barrier.The shoreline is intensively used for recreational purposes, andthe lack of tourist infrastructure in the sites contributes to devastationof the vegetation buffer zones. Following the ecohydrologicalaim of harmonizing society’s needs with the enhanced ecosystempotential, 17 restoration of the mosaic ecotone zones was combinedwith the construction of recreational infrastructures, such as jettiesfor fishing and boating.Individual ecohydrological methods can be synergistically linked intothe system solutions to complement existing hydrotechnical solutionsfor water resources management, contributing to enhancement of theoverall resilience of a catchment and its ability to provide ecosystemservices. The action plan to reduce diffuse pollution in the Pilica Riverbasin has been developed in cooperation with the Regional WaterManagement Authority in Warsaw, which is responsible for watermanagement of the Vistula River catchment and for the implementationof European Commission water directives.Stakeholders (regional authorities, local authorities, non-governmentalorganizations (NGOs), universities etc) were identified andintegrated through a multi-stakeholder platform which helps tocreate an independent space for discussion and exchange of experienceand knowledge. Additionally, measures have been organized toraise ecological awareness among the local communityand decision makers concerning the prevention of diffuseagricultural pollution. Public meetings for local people,educational activities for schoolchildren and training forspecialists, decision makers and teachers have been held.Blue-green city: urban ecohydrologyThe increasing global rate of urbanization and concurrentglobal climate changes create new challenges, but alsostimulate new approaches to the management of cities. 18Achieving sustainable development under increasingglobal pressures will depend to a great extent on howcities manage their natural and water resources. A keychallenge is insufficient space for water circulation in thecity landscape, due to uncontrolled or out-of-date urbandevelopment schemes. Rapid, damaging flash floodsfollowed by long-lasting dryness, the formation of urbanheat islands and the lowering of air humidity are some ofthe major consequences, contributing to higher incidenceof asthma and allergies in city dwellers. 19 This negativetendency can be reversed by changing the paradigm for themanagement of stormwater, which is the only renewablesource of water for cities. This valuable resource should beconsciously retained in city landscapes by rehabilitatingtheir blue and green infrastructure.A functional approach towards achieving this goal, byincluding urban ecosystems in holistic water manage-Reducing phosphorus pollution by enhancing plant buffer zones with biogeochemical barriers: LIFE+ EKOROB project Zarzcin demo siteSource: Izydorczyk K. 2013. ‘Chemical barrier for enhancement of buffer zone toward reduction of diffuse pollution by phosphorus - preliminary results’. Ecohydrol. &Hydrobiol. Article in press[ 301 ]