Monitoring and Assessment of Hydromorphological Characteristics of the Bílovka Stream in the Moravian-Silesian Region Using the HEM 2014 Methodology

This study aims to provide a comprehensive assessment of the ecological status of two distinct sections of the Bílovka stream located in the Moravian-Silesian Region of the Czech Republic. The evaluation was conducted using the standardized HEM 2014 methodology, which assesses seventeen hydromorphological indicators across three spatial zones: the channel, the bank/riparian zone, and the floodplain. A comparative analysis between a near-natural reach and a section significantly modified by human activities revealed notable differences in ecological quality. The findings underscore the practical relevance of the HEM 2014 methodology for evaluating the current hydromorphological condition of watercourses and for informing the design of targeted restoration measures, particularly within urbanized landscapes.