The land of “Łęgi Odrzańskie” . Flood zone. Odra River. Poland

_st place in Biotope Aquarium Design Contest 2022

Volume of aquarium: 288 L

Dimensions of aquarium: 120x60x40 L

List of fishes: Gobio gobio, Gasterosteus aculeatus, Alburnus alburnus, Radix auricularia

List of plants: Circaea lutetiana, Carex riparia, Carex paniculatae, Juncus effusus

Description of Decorations and Substrate: All materials that the aquarium presents were collected from the natural environment. Substrate (about 80 l) collected from the floodplain. Mainly silt and organic matter, willow fine roots, swamp plants.

Description of Equipment: Filtration – Aquael Fan2 – 450 l/h set to minimum flow. Strong aeration. Lighting 2x Halogen LED 50W 3500 lum. 4000K.

Water Parameters: Tem. 17-20 st.C ph7,5-8 gh24 kh13 TDS – 360ppm

Additional Info: 30% water change every week. A large amount of substrate and vigorously growing vegetation act as a very efficient biological filtration. This cannot be replaced with a traditional filter. Lighting 10h / day. Strong aeration. Feeding 3 times a day. Balanced food of animal and vegetable origin

Aquarium video:

Description of the Area Surrounding the Biotope: The Oder is the second largest river in Poland. In its middle course, between Brzeg Dolny and Głogów (about 150 km), there is a land called Łęgi Odrzańskie. Its area is about 500 square kilometres. Many natural landscapes and habitats of the great river valley have been preserved here. Riparian forests, alder forests, meadows, oxbow lakes and riverside slopes are subjected to periodic floods. The land is home to a huge number of flora and fauna species. We find here 88 endangered species which have entered in the Red Books. The area in this respect is unique in Europe and beyond

Description of the Underwater Landscape of the Biotope: The backwaters in this area are densely covered with marsh vegetation (Phragmites L., Carex L.) The visible root systems of grasses and trees create an impenetrable tangle. Fallen trees and branches form a real maze in which fry of many fish species can hide. The bottom is covered with silt and organic matter deposited in the flooding river.

Description of the Habitat Parameters: Łęgi Odrzańskie is located in the temperate climate zone. Annual rainfall approx. 540 mm / m2; temperature 9.7 ° C (from -30 ° C to + 38 ° C). In the summer 19-22 st.C The average insolation is 1556 hours a year. Ph 7,5- 8 GH 24 KH 13 TDS 360.

List of Fishes and Invertebrates Occurring in the Nature Biotope: The list goes on and on. List the most important.
Leuciscus aspius, Misgurnus fossilis, Gasterosteus aculeatus, Gymnocephalus cernua, Alburnus alburnus, Barbus barbus, Vimba vimba, Gobio gobio, Cobitis taenia, Romanogobio albipinnatus, Radix auricularia,Rhodeus sericeus, Tinca tinca, Ambrami brama, Blicca bjoerkna, Eunapius fragilis, Spongilla lacustris.

List of Plants Found in the Nature Biotope: The list goes on and on. List the most important.

Trapa natans, Potamogeton acutifolius, Ceratophyllum demersum, Potamogeton natans, Polygonetum natantis, Nymphaea alba, Salvinia natans.

Wetland plants:Circaea lutetiana, Carex riparia, Carex acutiformis (Curtis), Carex paniculata, Carex elata, Carex gracilis, Juncus sffusus, Equisetetum fluviatilis, Eleocharis palustris, Phragmitetum australis.. Trees near the aquatic habitat
Many – Salicetum triandro-viminslis, Salix alba, Salix fragilis, Salix cinerea, Alnus mill, Populus nigra, Populus alba.

Threats to the Ecology of the Biotope: The land is characterized by an enormous wealth of rare and endangered natural habitats. There are of 88 species of plants and animals listed in the Red Books published by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. It is unique in Europe. The following species should be mentioned here: Romanogobio albipinnatus, Leuciscus aspius. Plants such as: Salvinia natans, Trapa natans L., Gentiana pneumonanthe, Iris sibirica. The area plays the role of the ecological corridor Econet-Polska.

Threats to the area: lowering of groundwater in the Odra River valley related to the dam in Brzeg Dolny as well as climate changes, water pollution. Introducing alien species of animals, trees and shrubs…

Sources of Information:
GPS 51.2445831, 16.5615559
https://drive.google.com/file/d/12qXFgY1er7WuWzxbSJ0tCPeI59uYjpJL/view?usp=drivesdk
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B8RdyQXGHku8S2JmWFRNMExUQ00/view?usp=drivesdk
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B8RdyQXGHku8S2JmWFRNMExUQ00/view?usp=drivesdk
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B8RdyQXGHku8S2JmWFRNMExUQ00/view?usp=drivesdk
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B8RdyQXGHku8S2JmWFRNMExUQ00/view?usp=drivesdk