CLOSER LAKES – a nationwide platform for sharing knowledge and experience about lakes

Lakes are among the most valuable elements of Poland’s natural landscape. They perform important ecological, hydrological and social functions – they provide habitats for many plant and animal species, influence the local water balance, and are a place of recreation and leisure for people. At the same time, they are also increasingly becoming an object of pressure resulting from human activity and climate change. Progressive eutrophication, falling water levels, pollution or intensive tourist use make the protection and rational management of water resources an important challenge for scientists, public administration and local communities.

We talk about the importance of lakes, the growing interest in the BLISOME OF LAKES initiative and plans for its further development with the initiator and coordinator of the project Dr. Marika Kornaś-Dynia, chief limnology lead specialist at the Institute of Meteorology and Water Management – National Research Institute, member of the board of the Polish Limnological Society.

Water Affairs Editorial: How did you come up with the idea to create the BLISS OF THE LAKES initiative?

Marika Kornaś-Dynia: The idea was born from a very simple observation. In Poland, there are many scientific centers conducting research on lakes, and at the same time many institutions and organizations are undertaking activities related to their protection, monitoring or reclamation. The problem is that these circles often function side by side – they meet occasionally, but do not always have the space to exchange knowledge and experience on a regular basis. CLOSER lakes was created out of the need to create such a platform – a place for dialogue where science meets practice.

Limnological knowledge does not reach a wide audience, and scientific research often remains only in academia. We are committed to popularizing knowledge about lakes and building awareness of their importance in the natural environment and human life. Lakes are often perceived mainly as places for recreation, and less often as complex ecosystems in need of protection. Therefore, an important part of our activities is education and dissemination of knowledge about the processes taking place in the lakes and the threats that may affect their condition.

WS: What sets this initiative apart from other water management events or projects?

M. K.-D.: First of all, the focus is on lakes. In the water debate, there is a great deal of talk about rivers, floods or water management at the scale of entire drainage basins. Lakes, although extremely important from a nature and economic point of view, often remain in the background. Meanwhile, they are very sensitive ecosystems, where the effects of anthropogenic pressure can be visible for decades. So we wanted to create an initiative that would focus specifically on lakes and look at them from different perspectives – scientific, natural, social and economic.

An important element of the project is also the combination of scientific activities with the popularization of knowledge. The initiative includes events, meetings and educational activities that bring the results of limnological research and the current challenges of lake protection in an accessible way. We want scientific knowledge to be available not only to a narrow circle of specialists, but also to all people interested in the subject.

The initiative is distinguished by building a community around the theme of lakes. The project is intended to integrate people, creating a space for cooperation and exchange of experiences. In this way, its implementation contributes to social awareness and inspires people to care about lakes – to take action for their protection and sustainable use.

WS: If anyone would like to learn more about the BLISSING THE LAKES initiative, what activities and events are currently underway as part of the project?

M. K.-D.: The project is run by the Polish Limnological Society, which brings together the largest group of Polish limnologists from more than 20 scientific centers (universities, research institutes and scientific units). Although it grew out of the scientific community, from the very beginning we were keen on its open character. We started the implementation of the project with a series of scientific lectures BLISOME LAKES, cyclical meetings of limnologists and specialists, which are held online from September 2025 and will last until April 2026. We invite everyone who deals with lakes or is interested in them to participate, only pre-registration is required. Recordings of the lectures that have already taken place are available on the Society’s YouTube channel and website.

The next stage of the project, and at the same time the conclusion of the 1st edition of the scientific lecture series, is the 1st National Scientific Conference BLISSING THE LAKES, which will be held already on May 22, 2026. in Warsaw. The conference is co-organized by the Polish Limnological Society and the Institute of Meteorology and Water Management – National Research Institute and has been planned as a nationwide forum on lake protection, water resources management, climate change adaptation and current environmental challenges and the role of lakes in the landscape. The event combines the presentation of current research results with a discussion of directions for the development of systemic solutions that can realistically support lake protection and effective water management. Special emphasis is placed on combining the scientific perspective with the experience of practitioners and the needs of decision-makers.

WS: The project has gained considerable recognition in a short time in the water environment. What is the reason for its popularity?

M. K.-D.: I must admit that the scale of interest in the project has positively surprised us. Nearly 600 people have so far signed up for the scientific lecture series. The same was true for the conference. Places for the event were filled in less than a month after the announcement and launch of registration. We perceive this as a very positive signal – on the one hand, it testifies to the great interest in the subject of lakes and their protection, and on the other hand, it gives us a sense that the formula of the project and the way we communicate its ideas reach the audience.

I think the popularity of the project is due to two things. First – from the need to integrate the community. Many people involved in lakes, both scientists and practitioners, have long talked about the need for more frequent meetings and discussions. Second – we are trying to make the initiative open and interdisciplinary. The meetings are attended not only by limnologists, but also hydrologists, biologists, geographers, representatives of public administration, research institutions, landscape parks, local governments or social organizations. Such a diversity of perspectives makes the conversation about lakes much richer.

One of the goals of the platform is to promote the development of limnology by integrating the research community. Meetings organized as part of the project are an opportunity to present research results, discuss monitoring methods or analyze new approaches to lake protection. It is also very important that these discussions include people who deal with practical water management on a daily basis. This allows scientific research to be linked to real environmental problems.

WS: Increasingly, science and conservation are talking about the One Health concept, emphasizing the links between human and animal health and the environment. Does the BLISS LAKE LAKE initiative somehow fit into this idea?

M. K.-D.: Definitely yes. Although the BLISOME LAKES project focuses primarily on lakes, its assumptions are very close to the One Health idea, which assumes that human well-being is inextricably linked to the state of the natural environment. Lakes are an excellent example of such a relationship. Their condition affects not only the functioning of aquatic ecosystems, but also the quality of people’s lives – from the availability of clean water, to food security, to opportunities for recreation and leisure.

As part of the platform, we aim to show that the condition of lakes is the result of many interrelated processes in their catchment areas – from land use, to water management, to tourism pressure. Changes in the aquatic environment can affect biodiversity, the functioning of aquatic organisms, and the health of the people who use these ecosystems.

That’s why BLESS THE LAKES promotes an interdisciplinary approach, in which limnological research is combined with knowledge from ecology, hydrology, water management or social sciences. Such an outlook allows for a better understanding of the relationship between the environment and the health and well-being of society. In this sense, the initiative is part of a broader trend of thinking about inland waters as a key component of a system that links the health of ecosystems to the quality of human life.

WS: What are the most important development plans for the BLISS OF THE LAKES project?

M. K.-D.: We would like the platform to develop in several directions. First – we plan to continue and develop the meetings and scientific-expert events that are the foundation of this initiative. Secondly – we are keen to build a sustainable network of cooperation between institutions and individuals dealing with lake issues. In the long term, we would also like to develop activities related to the popularization of knowledge about lakes and support research initiatives and projects on their protection.

One of the directions for the development of the project, which we are increasingly discussing, is the organization of limnological workshops. We would like to see, in addition to lecture and conference meetings, a space for more practical work – directly related to field research, monitoring methods or analysis of lake processes.

Limnology workshops could be held at selected lakes and combine the theoretical part with field activities. Participants would have the opportunity to learn about research methods used in limnology, methods of assessing the ecological condition of lakes or modern tools used in monitoring the aquatic environment. Such meetings would be particularly valuable for young scientists and those beginning their adventure with aquatic environment research.

WS: How do you see the future of the project?

M. K.-D.: I hope that CLOSER LAKES will become a permanent part of the scientific and expert landscape in Poland. Lakes today face many challenges – from climate change to increasing anthropogenic pressure. Responding to these challenges requires cooperation and dialogue. I would like to see a broad community of people who share an interest in lakes and a concern for their future form around this initiative. If it becomes a place where scientists, practitioners and nature enthusiasts meet regularly, where new ideas and projects are born, it will be of great value. In the long run, it can also contribute to a better understanding of lake processes and more effective protection of these extremely valuable ecosystems. If the platform can continue to integrate the lake communities and inspire joint action, I will consider its goal achieved.

Dr. Marika Kornaś-Dynia – chief leading specialist in limnology at the Institute of Meteorology and Water Management – National Research Institute, member of the board of the Polish Limnological Society. She has been working on limnological issues for 17 years, and her research interests focus mainly on natural and anthropogenic changes in water relations and lake quality. In particular, she studies the impact of climate change on water levels, ice phenomena and water balance of lakes, changes in water resources and water quality in lakes under the influence of damming, trophic status and causes of eutrophication of lakes, and the impact of catchment use on lake water quality. He presents the results of his research at numerous conferences and scientific sessions.