Wetlands and waters on European eastern border: is this the opportunity for the application of ecohydrology in Transborder Biosphere Reserves?

UNESCO-MAB Biosphere Reserves are introduced to the readers. The network of over 400 Biosphere Reserves existed in 98 countries in 2003. The important characteristic of Biosphere Reserves is their spatial organization: they comprise the strictly protected “core zone”, the partly protected “buffer zone” and “transition zone”, where the normal land use characteristic for the region is accepted. The Polish MAB Committee introduced and established the idea of Transborder Biosphere Reserves; especially in Europe there are many valuable natural regions divided by state borders. Along Poland's eastern border, which is now the eastern border of European Union, there are interesting Biosphere Reserves, rich in wetlands, lakes and rivers. This project provides the opportunity to apply some ecohydrology methods to the management of this water rich border area.