The influence of morphometric characteristics on the functional usage of Lithuanian lakes

Abstract

Functional usage of lakes is the usage of lake shores and water area in order to meet different needs of people. A lot of factors influence the suitability of a lake for certain activities, i.e. geographical position of a lake, water quality, legal regulations, morphometric indexes of lakes etc. The aim of this research is to investigate which morphometric characteristics have impact on the possibilities of functional usage of a lake. The following morphometric parameters have been analysed in this research: lake area, average and maximum depth, the length and indentation of a shoreline, the number of islands and water capacity. This research will also investigate which of these morphometric parameters mostly influences and how it influences such areas of usage of lakes as fishery and fishing, navigations, water supply for people and industry, hydroenergetics and recreation. The object of the research is all Lithuanian lakes bigger than 0.5 ha (total 2,835 lakes). Based on the research of various scientists and legal acts, it was determined which morphometric parameters have the biggest influence on the usage of lakes in a specific area. After grouping the lakes according to the value of morphometric parameters the number of Lithuanian lakes which can perform specific functions was found out. It was established that the functional use of a lake mainly depends on the area of a lake. This directly and indirectly determines the possibilities of a lake usage in all the areas investigated.