Project team of the Lithuanian Fund for Nature

Group photo of the project group, from left to the right: Kamile Izganaityte, Milda Riepsaite, Kristina Valaviciute, Tomas Pocius, Mantas Adomaitis, Viktorija Kuodytė, Adele Markeviciute, Ruta Rutkunaite, Julija Petrosiute

Water quality of Viesvile river

What is the issue: Viesvile nature reserve was founded in year 1991 to protect the basin of the Viesvile river. This river further flows through the town of Viesvile and suffers from anthropogenic influence. After the town the Viesvile river flows to the biggest Lithuanian river – Nemunas and then goes about 100 km to the Baltic sea. The biggest problem about the Viesvile river is sewage of the town (about 1000 inhabitants). The water is cleaned in local water cleaning plant, but it is suggested, that water quality is getting worse after it flows through the city. Another big issue talking about water quality is microplastic. Microplastic problem is not very well known in public yet, but it causes water pollution and especially water fauna suffers from it. The third problem is spreading of invasive species to the area close to the Viesvile river. Local students have started a research about Solidago canadensis and are looking for the ways to stop its spread, support for this research is needed. 

What should be done: In order to investigate the water quality and involve local community in the process of solving water pollution problem, water bio monitoring and microplastic investigation should be done and public awareness raised. Invasive species research has to be repeated with bigger scientific background. 

Expected results: The river monitoring shows the change of water quality as it flows from source to the mouth. The microplastic is investigated for the first time in the Viesvile river. Different ways of fight with invasive species are performed in Viesvile river basin area. 

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