Special Issue "State-of-the-Art Biodiversity Research in Poland"

A special issue of Diversity (ISSN 1424-2818). This special issue belongs to the section "Biodiversity Loss & Dynamics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (28 February 2023) | Viewed by 3431

Special Issue Editors

Department of Botany and Nature Protection, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Plac Łódzki 1, 10-727 Olsztyn, Poland
Interests: phylogeny of bryophytes; population genetics; NGS application; bioinformatics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Department of Hydrobiology, Faculty of Biology, University of Białystok, Ciołkowskiego 1J, 15-245 Białystok, Poland
Interests: phytoplankton; freshwater algae and cyanobacteria; plankton; Hydrobiology; eutrophication; water blooms; water quality of freshwater ecosystems
Institute of Biology, Biotechnology and Environmental Protection, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Silesia in Katowice, Bankowa 9, 40-007 Katowice, Poland
Interests: tardigrades; reproduction; reproduction under anthropogenic stress; organism's response to environmental stress; anhydrobiosis; encystment

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Biodiversity is a fundamental feature of nature and determines the diversity of ecosystems, species, and their genes. Greater biodiversity means a more stable environment, better functioning, and more resistance to changes. Organisms in ecosystems interact with each other. The loss of even one species does not go unnoticed, but it impairs the functioning of the entire ecosystem, making it less stable. Such changes are irreversible, and very often, they are caused by human activity. The loss of biodiversity is the greatest threat to the proper functioning of life on Earth. This Special Issue is devoted to various aspects of research on biodiversity carried out by Polish scientists. Manuscripts for this issue should focus on issues such as a) diversity of living organisms, b) influx of alien invasive species, c) environmental stressors and biodiversity, and d) protection of biodiversity.

Prof. Dr. Jakub Sawicki
Dr. Magdalena Grabowska
Dr. Izabela Poprawa
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Diversity is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2000 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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Communication
Fish Species Richness in Polish Lakes
Diversity 2023, 15(2), 164; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15020164 - 24 Jan 2023
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Abstract
Global warming, eutrophication, fisheries overexploitation, species invasions, and habitat loss are the major threats to freshwater biodiversity. The aim of this study was to determine the species richness and diversity of fish in 535 Polish lakes of different morphometry (area of more than [...] Read more.
Global warming, eutrophication, fisheries overexploitation, species invasions, and habitat loss are the major threats to freshwater biodiversity. The aim of this study was to determine the species richness and diversity of fish in 535 Polish lakes of different morphometry (area of more than 50 ha and a maximum depth ranging from 0.4 to 108.5 m) and trophic status (from oligotrophy to hypereutrophy). A total of 39 fish species were found in the studied lakes, among which eight species were alien invasive. The Shannon diversity index varied between 0 and 2.04.The most common and frequent species were Rutilus rutilus (99.8% frequency) and Perca fluviatilis (99.6% frequency). Ten fish species, including five alien ones, were characterized by a very low frequency (<1%). The number of fish species in single lakes ranged from 1 to 19. In most of the studied lakes, 11 and 12 species (104 and 108 lakes, respectively) were caught. The richest taxonomic composition (19 species) was recorded in the meso-eutrophic lake with an area of 80 ha and a maximum depth of 34.4 m, slightly poorer (18 species) in the hypereutrophic lake with an area of 168 ha and a maximum depth of 2.7 m. The poorest taxonomic composition (one species) was found in a lake with low conductivity and circumneutral pH. Statistical analysis showed that the number of fish species decreased with increasing eutrophication conditions of the studied lakes, while it increased with an increasing area and the maximum depth of these lakes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue State-of-the-Art Biodiversity Research in Poland)
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Article
Rotifers of Inter-Forest Springs
Diversity 2023, 15(2), 153; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15020153 - 21 Jan 2023
Viewed by 604
Abstract
Springs are often considered as “hotspots” of aquatic biodiversity. However, small organisms, such as rotifers, substantially contribute to secondary production, but they are rarely investigated in springs. We surveyed the rotifer fauna of 47 springs in the Knyszyn Forest (north-eastern Poland) in summer [...] Read more.
Springs are often considered as “hotspots” of aquatic biodiversity. However, small organisms, such as rotifers, substantially contribute to secondary production, but they are rarely investigated in springs. We surveyed the rotifer fauna of 47 springs in the Knyszyn Forest (north-eastern Poland) in summer and autumn 2014–2015. We hypothesized that stream communities of Rotifera may be specific to this habitat. Rotifer samples were taken using a Plexiglas tube in the spring current. Concurrently, water temperature, pH, conductivity, water redox potential and phosphorus and nitrogen concentrations were determined. The springs did not differ statistically in water quality and were stable regarding their temperature and conductivity. Rotifer densities and mean number of monogonont species were very low both in summer and autumn. Nevertheless, the total number of species recorded in all springs was relatively high and accounted for 101 in total. Although strongly differentiated, the rotifer fauna contained a set of several species common to most of the springs. Most of the recorded species are eurytopic and widely spread in water ecosystems. Only the concentration of magnesium and chloride ions had an impact on Monogononta numbers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue State-of-the-Art Biodiversity Research in Poland)
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Article
Genetic Diversity and Fine-Scale Spatial Genetic Structure of the Endangered Shrub Birch (Betula humilis Schrk.) Populations in Protected and Unprotected Areas
Diversity 2022, 14(8), 684; https://doi.org/10.3390/d14080684 - 20 Aug 2022
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Abstract
The genetic diversity of natural populations is a key factor in the success of long-term ecosystem protection. We studied the genetic diversity and spatial genetic structure (SGS) in three endangered shrub birch (Betula humilis) populations using seven nuclear microsatellite loci. The [...] Read more.
The genetic diversity of natural populations is a key factor in the success of long-term ecosystem protection. We studied the genetic diversity and spatial genetic structure (SGS) in three endangered shrub birch (Betula humilis) populations using seven nuclear microsatellite loci. The highest genetic variation was found in the restored Szuszalewo population in Biebrza National Park, where active prevention of thicket forest succession was recently conducted. The results of bottleneck tests were not statistically significant in each locality, although a genetic indication for population reduction was detected in the Rospuda stand, which is not actively protected. The Bayesian clustering, principal coordinates analysis, and FST estimates revealed the greatest difference between Magdzie Bagno and Rospuda samples. SGS was found in all B. humilis stands; however, it was the strongest in the Rospuda locality, where pollen and seed dispersal was limited by dense clusters of shrub birch ramets scattered among forest and brushwood plants. The weakest SGS, also supported by finding some sibling pairs in distant locations, was observed in the Szuszalewo population. The aforementioned results indicate that the active protection practices may impose an immediate beneficial effect on the restoration and maintenance of the B. humilis populations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue State-of-the-Art Biodiversity Research in Poland)
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Review

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Review
Invasive and Alien Mammal Species in Poland—A Review
Diversity 2023, 15(2), 138; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15020138 - 19 Jan 2023
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Abstract
About 20 species of non-native mammals have been recorded in Poland. Some of them are already extinct or have been extirpated, while others are widely distributed and may affect the native biota in Poland. We review the literature on 15 non-native species found [...] Read more.
About 20 species of non-native mammals have been recorded in Poland. Some of them are already extinct or have been extirpated, while others are widely distributed and may affect the native biota in Poland. We review the literature on 15 non-native species found in this country, discussing their origin, distribution, and presence on lists of invasive species that pose a threat to wildlife in Poland and the EU. In addition, we discuss current knowledge on their impact on Polish ecosystems. However, on many of these species, there is little information, and the consequences of their presence remain unclear. Therefore, we emphasize the importance of this review for appropriate species management and suggest the introduction of monitoring, especially of species whose populations are increasing. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue State-of-the-Art Biodiversity Research in Poland)
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