Hydrological regime and physico-chemical water properties of various types of peat bog sites: case study of Mezilesní peat bog, Šumava Mts.

Abstract

In a period with frequently occurring hydrological extremes, research on areas with a high retention potential is brought into focus. The Šumava Mountains peat bogs are important parts of the landscape in the headwater area of the Otava river basin. The study objective is to describe the variability of discharges and the dynamics of groundwater level changes in various types of peat bogs, and to identify connections between observed physico-chemical water properties. This is assessed by basic statistical methods. The rainfall-runoff process and physico-chemical water properties can be affected by many factors. In this case, strong relations between the observed parameters were identified along with considerable differences in the involvement of various types of peat bog sites in the runoff process. It is evident that the peat bog pattern and its vegetation cover have an essential effect on the hydrological regime and water properties stored in a peat bog.