Principal investigator
Prof. is specialized on ecology and environmental protection of the rural area, biological monitoring of aquatic ecosystems; hydromorphological river assessment; vegetation of aquatic, wetland and grassland ecosystems; phytosociology; biodiversity assessment and conservation. He conducted numerous national and international projects including, BiodivRestore Cofund Action between and the (2022-2025), Baltic Landscape in change under the European Regional Development Fund (2008-2013), Innovative approaches towards sustainable forested landscapes - deWELopment (2003-2005), STAR (2003-2005) - Standardization of river classifications: STAR under EU Framework Programme (2003-2005).
Team members
Michał Brzozowski is a limnologist specialising in the ecology of charophytes and submerged macrophytes, with a particular focus on their responses to global environmental change. His research integrates field studies, experiments, and ecological modelling to understand interactions between macrophytes, periphyton, and fish, as well as their implications for ecosystem functioning. He is currently Principal Investigator of a SONATINA-funded project (National Science Center of Poland) examining how climate warming affects aquatic vegetation through increased periphyton shading. Michał has international research experience, including post-doc positions in Germany and fellowships in Portugal, Austria, and Spain, and actively contributes to the global limnological community. His work aims to support the conservation and restoration of freshwater ecosystems under increasing anthropogenic pressure.
Prof. Mariusz Sojka’s research focuses on hydrological and environmental processes at the catchment scale, water resources management, and the assessment of climate and anthropogenic pressures on aquatic ecosystems. In particular, his research focuses on changes in the hydrological regime, especially those related to surface water temperature and ice phenomena, analysed from both a long-term historical perspective and in the context of projected climate change. His research also addresses the chemical composition of surface waters and the geochemical characteristics of bottom sediments. He has extensive experience in applied research supporting sustainable water management and climate adaptation strategies. He has participated in numerous national and international research projects related to water resources and environmental management, including BiodivRestore Cofund Action between BiodivERsA and the Water JPI (2022-2025). In the RECHARGE project, he contributes expert knowledge in hydrological analysis and water balance assessment.
Prof. Tomasz Kałuża is an expert in hydraulic engineering, river dynamics, and ecohydraulics. His research focuses on flow processes in rivers, river restoration, and the interactions between hydraulic conditions and aquatic ecosystems. He has extensive experience in experimental, numerical, and field-based studies supporting sustainable river management and ecosystem-based water solutions. He has participated in numerous national and international research and implementation projects related to river processes, flood risk, hydromorphology, and the ecological functioning of freshwater systems. These include Polish national projects as well as international initiatives, including BiodivERsA (2022–2025). He is currently involved in the Polish Hydrostrateg II (HydroIQ) project, which is focused on the development of a system for monitoring and controlling water resources. Within the RECHARGE project, he contributes expertise on hydrodynamic processes and their integration into ecosystem-based water management solutions.
Dr Krzysztof Achtenberg is a specialist in hydromorphology and river habitat assessment. His research focuses on river structure, physical habitat conditions, and their influence on ecological processes in running waters. He has experience in applying hydromorphological assessment methods in both research and applied environmental studies. He also specializes in advanced GIS techniques, remote sensing, and spatial analyses using UAV technology. Dr Achtenberg has participated in interdisciplinary projects linking geomorphology, hydrology, and ecology, including BiodivRestore Cofund Action between BiodivERsA and the Water JPI (2022-2025). In the RECHARGE project, he supports analyses of river continuity, morphology, habitat quality as well as GIS techniques, and spatial analyses.
Dr Stanisław Zaborowski is specialized in hydrology, river restoration and water-soil interactions, with a particular focus on channel retention, soil retention, land use, and their role in hydrological processes. His research addresses water restoration, retention and soil functions related to retention, infiltration, and ecosystem services. Investigator of a PRELUDIUM-funded project (National Science Center of Poland) examining impact Castor fiber on modification of environmental, retention and hydromorphological conditions in small lowland watercourses. He has been involved in studies examining the impacts of river and land management on soil and water systems. Stanislaw contributes interdisciplinary expertise at the interface of rivers, soils, catchments, and ecosystem processes. In RECHARGE, he supports assessments related to retecjion (soil–water interactions) and landscape-scale processes.
Dr Szymon Jusik is specialized in aquatic ecology, biological assessment of freshwaters, and environmental monitoring. His research interests include the ecological status of rivers, bioindication, and the response of aquatic biota (macrophytes and macroinvertebrates) to hydromorphological and anthropogenic pressures. He has contributed to several national and international research projects focused on freshwater ecosystems and river restoration, including BiodivRestore Cofund Action between BiodivERsA and the Water JPI (2022-2025), Innovative approaches towards sustainable forested landscapes - deWELopment (2003-2005). Szymon combines field research with data analysis to support science-based management decisions. In RECHARGE, he contributes expertise in ecological assessment and biological monitoring of aquatic systems.