Hydrogeological study of groundwater-dependent ecosystems—an overview of selected methods

Hydrogeological studies, their methods and results are an integral part of a broader scope of environmental research, particularly environmental protection. The hydrogeological studies conducted in recent years indicate the need for a more interdisciplinary approach and integration of various fields of natural sciences. Here, hydrogeological studies of groundwater-dependent ecosystems (GDEs) conducted in the middle Vistula River valley, Kampinoski National Park, Poland, are used as an example. The hydrogeological survey integrated with the results from other disciplines such as environmental engineering, hydrologic engineering, hydrology, geology and geophysics, forestry, agriculture, soil science and environmental biology provides an informed output that can in turn form an important input to various environmental studies.