Case Studies - Coastal Lagoons: Ecosystem Processes and Modeling for Sustainable Use and Development - page 422

• There is an invasion of nonindigenous marine benthic organisms, and
invading estuarine and marine species threaten the replacement of the
original benthic population. 17
• Degradation of landscape and natural habitats results from inappropriate
construction of buildings and infrastructure.

• There is a potential danger of the flooding of low-lying areas due to the

age and technical condition of antiflood and drainage infrastructure. 18

During the last decade a sufficient number of sewage facilities have been con-
structed; however, sanitary conditions have not improved to the extent expected.
This is most probably due not only to lack of efficient treatment facilities on the
Russian side, but also to the re-emission of pollutants deposited in sediment. Further
study of this issue is needed.
Information regarding the environmental effects of the pollution of the Vistula
Lagoon is insufficient because of the lack of new studies on topics such as the loss
of biodiversity due to eutrophication and levels of contamination by toxic substances
and the related biological effects.

9.4.1.3 Economic Problems in the Catchment Area

The area encompassing the Vistula Lagoon drainage basin on the Polish side includes
large population centers, scattered small towns and rural villages, and significant
amounts of agricultural land ( Figure 9.4.2) . However, the farms are small in com-
parison to both western and eastern European norms. Industry is not concentrated
in one place but scattered among the cities and smaller towns. A short list of
economic problems affecting lagoon quality includes:

• High regional unemployment due to the deterioration of older economic
structures, such as state farming, for which no viable alternatives are
provided.
• Loss of tourism and the recreational potential of the Vistula Spit due to
the poor water quality of the lagoon.
• Decline of commercial fishing activities, probably due to water quality
problems and changes in composition of species, which is aggravated by
eutrophication and possibly by overfishing.
• Loss of the city of Elblag's historical role as a port.
• Relative poverty of the region makes it difficult to place a high priority
on environmental investments when other needs are more urgent. In recent
years the municipality of Elblag has been successful in acquiring EU
funds and has invested considerable sums in pro-ecological projects in
the Polish part of the lagoon.

• Inefficient agriculture that generally does not generate enough profit to

allow for the employment of the Best Agricultural Practices.

The problems facing the Russian side are similar. The most significant is the
current lack of sufficient treatment facilities for industrial and domestic wastewater