World Biodiversity Day – The Gliwice Canal as a Place of Observation
On May 22nd, the BlueLightS project group took part in a field research expedition along the Gliwice Canal 🚤💧
The 44 km cruise route led through the Łabędy, Dzierżno, and Pławniowice locks, turning into a unique lesson on water, ecosystems, and biodiversity 🌊🌱

Students had the opportunity to observe the operation of the Łabędy and Dzierżno locks — key infrastructure elements of the Gliwice Canal.

They learned how locks allow vessels to overcome water level differences and ensure water transport on the canal. It was also a great opportunity to discuss human impact on the aquatic environment and the vital balance between economy and ecosystem protection ⚓🌍

As part of the project “Blue LightS – Our Gardens Your Oceans – Connecting Local Biodiversity with Global Water Awareness,” students conducted physicochemical water testing and nature observations 🔬

During the activities, the students:

🌡️ measured water temperature,
⚗️ determined pH levels,
⚡ analyzed electrical conductivity,
👁️ assessed water clarity using a Secchi disk, and interpreted the measurement results.

At the same time, they observed organisms linked to the aquatic ecosystem 🪶🌿

Among others, they spotted:

🪶 the grey heron,
🦆 numerous duck species,
🖤 a cormorant colony.

The presence of these species served as a starting point for a discussion on the importance of biodiversity and waterbirds as bioindicators of environmental health.

The Gliwice Canal, despite its transport function and heavy human impact, remains an important habitat for many organisms 🌱🐟

Today’s expedition proved that learning can happen outside the classroom — through observation, field research, and direct contact with nature 💙🌍