Antropogeniczne przekształcenie rzek na Ponidziu Pińczowskim

One of the three basic components of assessing ecological state is the determination of hydromorphological conditions occurring in river channels and valleys. In this paper an effort has been taken to check usefulness for such evaluations River Habitat Survey (RHS) – British research method, which is used in Poland for classification of ecological quality of surface waters from the view-point of their actual hydromorphological state. The possibilities of using this method in field teaching of geography students were checked. For this purpose, the RHS method was modified and adapted to the needs of field exercises. Research was conducted in Nida Riverside region, near Pińczów (świętokrzyskie voivodeship, Poland). Collected material makes it possible to calculate synthetic indicator HMS (Habitat Modification Score) which allow the hydromorphological state of a river to be presented in numerical form and assessing river modification by human activities. The research released advantages of the RHS in field teaching of students. The method can also be used in field exercises with secondary school students.