The most significant problem in contemporary climatology - climate warm-ing. Although not confirmed beyond any doubt, still numerous factors indicate climate change within the recent, relatively short period of time. In studies con-cerning the role of forest cover in the water balance of catchments researchers stressed considerable retention capacity of forested areas. This capacity influences an increased total runoff from catchments with higher forest cover in dry years and its reduction in wet years, as well as increased runoff in summer half-years and its reduction in winter half-years. In research on catchments with different degrees of forest cover they showed high retention capacity of catchments with a higher forest cover. This is evidenced by very uniform courses of monthly flows and relatively limited monthly changes in retention. Also in long-term studies con-ducted by the Department of Water Management, the Forestry Research Institute, under conditions found in lowland catchments a stabilizing effect of forest cover may be observed on water runoff from the area of the catchments, mainly a reduc-tion of its uneven distribution. Nowadays wetlands belong to one of the most threatened ecosystems. They are important biodiversity hot spots, habitats for pro-tected and endangered plant species and natural reservoirs for ...
