Search Results (8)

This paper contributes to the research into the sustainable development of tourism. It analyses large-scale protected areas (one national park, four landscape parks, two protected landscape areas) located in the Roztocze region, at the SE border of Poland, which are most exposed to tourist movement overload due to their attractiveness. The study presents a proposal for a research procedure based on the method of multidimensional comparative analysis, which facilitates interpretation of the state of tourism function by calculation of the values of indicators of tourism potential and function. The result of the study is a model. It shows that with the exception of the National Park, the current state of tourism can be described as sustainable in most of the analysed areas. In addition to their scientific value, the results obtained may have a practical dimension, as they indicate specific factors causing the loss of balance in the environment, which should be monitored or addressed by stakeholders (government, local authorities, entrepreneurs, local communities), leading to the maintenance of sustainable tourism development in a specific area. The procedure proposed in the study can be applied to any other naturally and culturally valuable area. Full article

This study concerns the design of a geocultural site in Huta Różaniecka. It is one of 166 sites prepared for the Kamienny Las na Roztoczu (Roztocze Stone Forest) Geopark project. The site is distinguished, on the one hand, by its interesting geology and geomorphology (exposures of Miocene sea shore with numerous fossils) and, on the other hand, by its quarries, stonemasonry traditions, and buildings (ruins of the Greek Catholic church). The aim of this paper is to present a model for building specialized documentation using a wide range of source materials, methods (field inventory, queries, interviews, high-precision Light Detection and Ranging-LiDAR measurements), tools (Leica ScanStation C10 laser scanner), and techniques (photography, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle-UAV, Terrestrial Laser Scanning-TLS). The applied research procedure model led to the construction of specialized documentation relating to the spatial dimension, natural features, and cultural context of the site. Taking into account the collected data, it should be concluded that the projected geocultural site at Huta Różaniecka, irrespective of the creation of a geopark, has great potential to build a tourist product that is attractive to a wide range of visitors. Full article

In many areas, the use of stone in architecture and art represents one of the most significant links between geological and cultural heritage. These links are used for the creation of themed places that fit into the marketing strategy of such places/towns, supporting their management and promoting geotourism as a form of sustainable tourism. In this field, the inhabitants and municipal authorities of the Józefów area have not yet used their full potential. This article presents the features of geological heritage and connected cultural heritage (stonemasonry) in the area of Józefów with a view to building a geotown in the context of the “Kamienny Las na Roztoczu” (“Stone Forest in Roztocze”) planned geopark. These features were analysed from three points of view: research (field inventory of sites and secondary data queries), perception of heritage by two groups of tourists (queries of secondary data obtained from the Tourist Information Centre and diagnostic survey), and perception of heritage by inhabitants (diagnostic survey). The results of the research show that the multicomponent and interdisciplinary space of Józefów contains closely interrelated geological and cultural features. These can be the basis for creating a themed town, which can drive its sustainable economic development and give the town a broader supralocal dimension. Full article

The geodiversity of loess areas is reflected in the characteristic dataset of loess landforms, with the dominance of several types of valley forms (mainly gullies). The availability of satellite elevation data and high-resolution aerial topography scanning data provides an opportunity for quantitative assessment of geomorphodiversity. This is done through the analysis of topographic texture, delimitation and statistical characterization of the topographic parameters of erosional landforms, such as volume and degree of dissection (density of valleys) or the degree of ‘coverage’ of the area by valley forms. An important factor affecting the accuracy of the estimation is the accuracy of the underlying digital terrain model (DTM). This study compares three digital terrain models, with cell sizes of 30, 10 and 1 m, generated from satellite altimetry data and airborne laser scanning (ALS) data. The subregion of Szczebrzeszyn Roztocze (Western Roztocze Region, SE Poland), i.e., one of the most typical loess relief regions in Poland, was selected as the study area. Selected topographic texture analyses were carried out using the SLRM (Simple Local Relief Model) algorithm. Delimitation of valleys was performed by delineating the extent of slope change in two key steps: (1) detection of areas below the average topographic surface; (2) delimitation using supervised classification of DTMs. The results of the study show that the accuracy of delimitation of valleys increases inversely proportional to the DTMs resolution. Automated topographic texture analysis allows delimitation and extraction, as well as statistical analysis of parameters of valleys. Finally, two indicators have been proposed, Relative Valley Area (RVA) and Area-normalised Valley Cubature (AVC), which can be used in geomorphodiversity studies of a geologically homogeneous area. The dimensionless RVA index can also be expressed as a percentage (%) of the area of valley forms in a basic field of 1 km². Furthermore, the AVC index shows the dynamic character of the main relief features of the analysed area. Full article

Toxic cyanobacterial blooms are a well-known problem in eutrophic water bodies, but cyanobacterial toxicity in ambient springs is unexplored. Therefore, we studied the toxin content and effects of two extracts obtained from epilithic and benthic microbial mats containing different algae and filamentous cyanobacteria, Phormidium breve and Oscillatoria limosa, respectively, on fresh biomass, number of roots, and pigment content in duckweed Spirodela polyrhiza and on survivorship of Daphnia magna (Cladocera). Mat samples, used to prepare extracts for bioassays, were collected in the anthropogenically transformed limnocrenic Górecko spring, located (50°31′08″ N and 22°57′10″ E) in the Roztocze region (Eastern Poland). It drains an abundant aquifer built with Cretaceous sediments. Neither anatoxin-a (ANTX) nor microcystins (MCs) were detected in the extracts using HPLC techniques; however, negative effects of the extracts on tested organisms were observed. The Phormidium extract contained concentrations of cyanobacterial metabolites a few times higher than the Oscillatoria extract. In general, both extracts affected plants in a dose-dependent manner; however, the Oscillatoria extract influenced pigment production without a clear trend. The highest concentrations of Phormidium extract (p < 0.05) significantly decreased the number of roots and the content of chlorophylls and carotenoids in S. polyrhiza. The Oscillatoria extract caused a statistically significant (p < 0.05) decrease in biomass and number of roots; however, it generally positively influenced the production of pigments. The extract containing O. limosa metabolites was more toxic to D. magna than the extract containing higher amounts of metabolites of P. breve. Cyanobacteria inhabiting temperate springs may negatively affect hydrobionts by producing secondary metabolites other than ANTX and MCs; however, the contribution of algae cannot be excluded. Extensive research on cyanobacteria in springs, their metabolites, and their effects on living organisms should be conducted. Full article

The attractiveness to tourists of Podkarpackie Province is related to its natural diversity and rich cultural heritage. The communes located in the southern, Carpathian part of the province are the most attractive tourist destinations. However, the volume of tourist traffic in Podkarpackie Province differs from many other regions in Poland. It is visited by far fewer tourists than might be expected. In order to conduct a more effective tourist policy, it was necessary to acquire knowledge on the structure of tourism in the region and its image. The aim of this article is to present the proprietary methodology of cyclical research of the tourist image of Podkarpackie Province and the key results of the research conducted in 2021. The proposed set of methods and techniques includes: (1) an analysis of strategic documents in terms of the assumed tourist image (Atlas.ti), (2) a verification of search trends for keywords related to the identified associations (Google Trends), and (3) a search of widely available internet resources for spontaneously generated content (Google Search). The obtained results indicate that potential tourists find online information about tourist assets deviating from the planned tourist image presented in the strategic document. First of all, they look for opinions and tips on specific tourist attractions. In the perceptions of average, potential tourists, some sub-regions such as the Low Beskids and the Southern Roztocze are practically unnoticeable. They clearly ‘lose’ with the Bieszczady, which are most associated with the region. Ultimately, the comprehensive image research consists of qualitative and quantitative modules. Only the combination of both will allow for a holistic view of the image of the region. Full article

The aim of the study was to assess the temporal variability of tropospheric ozone pollution. The research was carried out for the agricultural region of central-eastern Poland, an area covering the Lublin Voivodeship. One-hour averages of automatic measurements of tropospheric ozone concentration in 2015–2017 were used for the study. The data were obtained from three measuring stations belonging to the Chief Inspectorate of Environmental Protection in Poland. The stations were located as part of the Air Quality Monitoring System in rural communes in the north-western, central and southern parts of the Lublin Voivodeship. Statistical analysis of the data showed that the tropospheric ozone concentrations were significantly dependent on weather conditions during the years of the study. At each monitoring station, the one-hour average O₃ concentrations showed a clear structure over the course of the day: they were higher in the late morning and early afternoon than in the early morning and at night. The highest O₃ concentrations were observed at the Florianka measurement station, located in Roztocze National Park. This area had high forest cover and was located at the highest elevation above sea level of the three measuring stations. In the light of climate change and increasing O₃ concentrations, further scientific research on atmospheric air pollution is crucial, especially in agricultural areas associated with food production. Full article

The appropriate identification of the geoheritage resources of a specific area is the sine qua non of the development of geotourism. The identification of tourists’ perception of abiotic nature sites of high scientific value is also particularly important because it determines the possibility of using the potential of geosites. In the study, a detailed analysis was carried out of the assets of geological, geomorphological and hydrologic sites in the Central Roztocze region (SE Poland) comprising the central part of the proposed Geopark “Stone Forest in Roztocze”. Data from the Polish Central Register of Geosites, the results of a geotourist assessment and questionnaire surveys were used in the analysis. These data indicate a high potential for geotourism development and consistency between scientific assessments and ratings from tourists. However, this potential is not used to a sufficient degree, while actions aimed at developing geotourism and establishing the Geopark are not appreciated by local authorities and institutions responsible for tourism development. The idea of geoparks and geotourism development is not supported by the State either, whether institutionally or financially. Based on the studies conducted, we propose practical measures that should be implemented to increase the use of the region’s geotourist assets. Full article