Ecosystem Services and Disservices of Watercourses and Water Areas

Ecosystem services and disservices of the watercourse network in the Czech Republic are not systemized in detail yet. It is a pity for the Czech Republic operates long-term monitoring of physical, chemical and biological characteristics of watercourses of all orders. A large part of these data is publicly accessible and serves as the basis for water management planning and management measures. These data are also used for the work of numerous major governmental institutions—the catchment area management establishments, the Czech Hydro-Meteorological Institute, the T. G. Masaryk Water Research Institute, the Academy of Science of the Czech Republic and academic research sites. Tow complex and general assessments of ecosystem services on the national level have already been made by Sejak et al. and Vackař et al. However, a complex system already developing on the international scene allowing for practical applicability of the approach is missing in our country. This chapter, therefore, offers a brief cross-sectional view of the application of ecosystem services in water management and options of application of this system in the Czech Republic.