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The problem of water scarcity is unfavourable for the economy, with the most significant water deficits felt by agriculture. In Poland water deficits in agriculture are occurring more frequently, causing losses in yield, not only in the Lowland areas but also in the Uplands. This paper presents an assessment of the water deficits at various excedance probability levels for four varieties of field crop and for soil types with various water retention capacity, which occur in the Małopolska Upland. Calculations were performed by balancing the amount of available soil water in the root zone. The study was based on the meteorological data from the Institute of Meteorology and Water Management for the years 1971–2010. Daily precipitation data from six rainfall stations: Borusowa, Igołomia, Książ Wielki, Miechów, Olewin and Sielec was utilised as well as average decadal air temperature, water vapour pressure, wind speed and sunshine hours from the meteorological station at Kraków–Balice. The water deficits at an excedance probability level of 20% fluctuated during the growing season from 5 mm (Phaeozems) to 190 mm (Leptosols). In the Małopolska Upland in soils with a medium capacity to retain water (110–160 mm), water deficits have occurred even in years of average rainfall (with probability 50%). This study confirms the considerable impact of the high variability of the soil and pluvial conditions in the region on the water deficits of the field crops.

An assessment of the water requirements of a mountain pasture sward in the Polish Western Carpathians The water requirements of the pasture sward using the Penman-Monteith method (FAO-56), which is seldom applied in Poland, was assessed. The reference crop evapotranspiration ETo from a hypothetical grass crop with an assumed crop height of 0.12 m, a fixed surface resistance of 70 s·m-1 and an albedo of 0.23, was used. These assumptions are similar under conditions of ruminant grazing. ETo was computed by using meteorological data from 43 weather stations. The crop evapotranspiration ETc is the product of ETo, and single crop coefficient Kc. The differences between precipitation and ETo and ETc (climatic water balances) were determined for mountain pastures. The results were summarised form of a table and maps of isohyets and isolines elaborated by applying the Geographic Information System techniques (Arc View 9) with the data interpolated by the geostatic method (Kriging).

Permanent turf grass as the factor alleviating water erosion in the Carpathian Mountains Soil erosion by water is an important economical issue, because it strongly degrades the environment. This phenomenon occurs in the Carpathian mountain areas, and it is caused largely by inappropriate land use. And in the last quarter of the century, in whole region significant structural changes took place - an increase of grassland areas. Research was made in the period of 2008-2010 in the Biała Woda catchment area (10.91 km2) - the Carpathian Mts. The study area under discussion is characterised by low share of arable lands and by high contribution of the permanent grasslands. In this paper the mass of eroded materials was determined by applying of the universal soil losses equation - USLE (Wischeier and Smith, 1978), using main factors, which have the impact on shaping the catchment area e.g. geological structure, terrain relief, the soil, climate, particularly precipitation, land use and slopes. Main attention was focused on agricultural land use (grasslands), hydrographical and road network. Sometimes the field roads becomes streams (gullies, which create favourable conditions for linear erosion e.g. for transporting eroded material during, heavy rainfall. Therefore, structural- spatial changes which now are taking place sometimes intensify the erosion process.

During the period of 1995–2005 in the mountain areas of southern Poland (Western Carpathians), in the catchment areas of the Upper Dunajec River basin in particular, significant structural changes took place. The share of arable lands decreased in the range of 17.7–27.6% of the total area. Simultaneously the area of permanent grasslands (meadows and pastures) has increased from 9.8 to 21.1%. The objective of the work was an assessment of biogenic ingredients content (N-NH4, NNO3, and PO4) in surface water on area of the Bialka catchment with the domination of permanent grasslands with low production intensification based on natural fertilizers and scattering input of mineral fertilizers. In years 2002–2005 the average share of arable land amounted 16.2%, pastures and meadows 83.7% and 0,1% of orchards. Studies showed that surface water quality in this catchment area was very good, in the range of the 1 class. Mountain grasslands are fulfilling an important protective role contributing for sustain high quality of surface water.