Search Results (9)

This study has been conducted to assess the anthropogenic impact of the ANWIL S.A. nitrogen plants, one of the largest producers of nitrogen fertilizers in Poland, on the activity of arylsulphatase (AR), rhodanese (RDN) and catalase (CAT) related to sulphur transformation in forest soils. Samples of rusty brown soils were collected in the area adjacent to the ANWIL S.A. nitrogen plants in Włocławek. The profiles were located in the vicinity of the following production plants: No. W1—approximately 2.5 km away, No. W2—approximately 2 km away, and No. W3—approximately 0.8 km away. The control profile was established in the Tuchola Forest, which is part of the Biosphere Reserve. In order to recognize the impact caused by pollutants and the capacity of soil for re-generation, the resistance index (RS) and resilience index (RL) were determined. The highest RS value (0.964) was noted for rhodanese activity in layer Bv in W2, where the lowest RS for CAT (0.019) was observed. This study demonstrated the resilience of CAT activity in layer Bv in all the soil profiles adjacent to ANWIL. The highest resilience indicator was soil catalase activity. Enzymatic activity can be used to indicate the anthropogenic impact and the transformation of nutrients in forest soil. Full article

The development of transportation in the 19th century allowed for the transfer of large quantities of pine seeds between significant areas in Europe. This artificial migration usually had negative breeding consequences, so regulations were introduced to protect local gene pools. The current dynamically changing climate contributes to a reconsideration of the assisted migration of genotypes as a factor in the mitigation of breeding risks. However, the assisted migration of genotypes requires extensive research into safe geographic and genetic distances over which we can move gene pools. The analyses presented here demonstrate the differences in chloroplast microsatellite DNA variation (cpSSR) and the implications for the health and regeneration potential of old stands from introduced seeds and local seeds. Analyses of the genetic variation in chloroplast DNA, crown defoliation, and regeneration potential (number of cones and number of seedlings) were performed. The stand grown from introduced seeds (from France) had higher genetic variability than the local populations and differed genetically from the local genotypes (Fst from 4% to 12%). The high genetic variability in the studied period did not affect the lower defoliation of the stand. On the other hand, the stand grown from introduced seeds had a significantly lower yield, and there was no natural regeneration (seedlings) to ensure the transfer of genetic information to the progeny generation. The obtained results confirmed the mechanisms of natural selection acting on pine genotypes that are alien to local ecological conditions. Full article

In Poland, apart from opencast mining, brown coal (lignite) was also mined by underground methods. This is related to glaciotectonic disturbances leading to deposition of Miocene coal in the form of folds (synclines and anticlines). The highest number of underground brown coal mines in the 19th century was recorded in western Poland. In northern Poland in the second half of the 19th century there were active underground brown coal mines in Piła Młyn. The study aims to present the environmental and socio-economic effects of discontinuing lignite mining. It is a unique example of cultural heritage and influences the tourist development of the region. To this end, historical topographic maps were used together with data from LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) laser scanning, available descriptions and scientific articles about coal mines. Information from the local inhabitants and representatives of the “BUKO” Association (the Association of Inhabitants and Enthusiasts of Piła nad Brdą “BUKO”) was also obtained. As shown by the results of the analyses, changes in the environment are manifested in terrain relief and highlight the location of former coal mines. Clear land subsidence is arranged in linear sequences and occurs as single landforms. Recesses at the former extraction sites are very distinct. The socio-economic effects observed include activity of the inhabitants and development of rural areas. The area also offers good prospects for tourism as a themed mining village attracts tourists and is a unique amenity in Poland. The subject matter of this article is also of importance from the standpoint of civil engineering since post-mining areas cannot be repurposed for residential development. Due to changes in the relief in this area in places other than those analyzed, scientific research will be conducted here, which will allow to answer other hypotheses (brown coal transport). Full article

The geotourist evaluation of 32 geosites, including mineral deposits occurrence (1), petrological (12), sedimentological (2), and geomorphological (9), as well as hydrological and hydrogeological (8) sites, located in the area of Tuchola Forest Biosphere Reserve (TFBR), has been carried out. The study aims to provide a qualitative assessment of geodiversity via the evaluation of abiotic nature objects, as well as propose modifications in geotourist valuation criteria, for the purpose of applying it to the areas located in the Central European Plains. The evaluated geosites represent both perfect examples of typical features for the physiography of the TFBR, as a young glacial landscape, e.g., erratic boulders, glaciofluvial landforms, postglacial landforms, and lakes or peatbogs, as well as values proving the uniqueness of the area on both regional and international scales, e.g., disused underground lignite mine “Montania”. High scores of geotourist attractiveness (between 36 and 44 points) have been received by 14 evaluated geosites (1 mineral deposits occurrence geosite, 4 petrological geosites, 1 sedimentological geosite, and 5 geomorphological geosites, as well as 3 hydrological and hydrogeological geosites). The remaining 18 geosites have received a medium score (between 25 and 34 points). Three areas of high concentration of geosites, which overlap with the boundaries of Tuchola, Wdecki, and Zaborski (area of the greatest diversity of highly-ranked geosites) landscape parks, were distinguished. The authors proposed geosites that require improving their accessibility to enhance the geotourist attractiveness, recognized the necessity of marking out geotourist trails in the most attractive and diversified areas, and noticed the influence of extreme weather phenomena (whirwinds) on changes in the geotourist attractiveness of some geosites. It is believed that the results of the conducted evaluation may favorably affect the importance, position, and publicity of the whole area by supplementing the well-recognized biodiversity with the geodiversity presented in the study. Full article

Currently, there are only two species of beavers described—the North American beaver (Castor canadensis) and Eurasian beaver (Castor fiber). Their natural habitats are confined to the northern hemisphere but instances of beaver introduction to regions of the world they do not normally inhabit have also been recorded. The activity of beavers leads to changes in the natural environment linked to hydrological and geomorphological and plant cover transformations. Beavers live in natural and artificial water reservoirs and rivers. If the water level in the river is too low, they build dams to create a comfortable living environment. This paper aims to present changes in the relief of the valley inhabited by beavers in which sediments accumulate. During the field study, detailed measurements of dams and of the spatial range of beaver ponds were made, and the thickness and spatial distribution of accumulated sediments were determined. In addition, measurements of geomorphological forms in beaver ponds were also made. The samples of sediments were subject to grain-size distribution analysis, the results of which allowed calculating sediment parameters. Beavers appeared in the Gajdówka valley in the southern part of the Tuchola Forest (Poland) in 2008. In 2008–2011 they built 17 beaver dams that impounded ponds. The beaver ponds and beaver dams were of different sizes. They either flooded the whole flat bottom of the valley or only raised the level of water in the riverbed. A characteristic feature of beaver ponds is that they capture sediments. Different landforms were created in the course of the formation and disappearance of beaver ponds. It was established that these include alluvial fans, levees, sand shadow dunes and microterraces formed by deposition and erosion. They do not occur in all ponds. Points at which mineral sediments are supplied to the watercourse, including beaver burrows and erosion hollows, are presented together with the points at which sediments are transferred from ponds upstream to ponds downstream the watercourse. Beaver activity during valley colonization shows changes in the landscape caused by their presence and in particular their impact on the relief and deposition of sediments. Analysis of contemporary changes in the morphology of the Gajdówka Valley leads to the conclusion that beaver activity has had an intense impact on the terrain relief of the valley inhabited by beavers. Full article

Photosynthetic activity is one of the most important metabolic processes that can be quickly and easily studied in the field. It can be used for identifying the environmental factors affecting ecosystem balance, as any stressor influencing metabolic and physiological processes will have a measurable effect on photosynthesis. The aim of this study was to measure the photosynthetic activity of selected lichens and mosses and investigate its changes resulted from diurnal and seasonal variability. We studied two lichens (Cladonia mitis Sandst and Cladonia uncialis (L.) Weber ex F.H. Wigg.) and two mosses (Pleurozium schreberi (Willd. ex Brid.) Mitt. and Dicranum scoparium (L.) Hedw.). Samples were collected in the area of lichen Scots pine forest of the “Bory Tucholskie” National Park. Our study revealed that the photosynthetic activity of cryptogams depended on species, season, time of the day, and water availability. Cladonia species, which are the main component of lichen Scots pine forests, have higher photosynthetic activity than Pleurozium schreberi, which represents species of fresh coniferous forests. Photosynthetic activity increased from spring through summer and reached the highest values in autumn. It was also higher in soaked samples collected in the morning and afternoon compared to noon. Despite the water access, noon samples still showed the lowest activity. This can result from natural changes in humidity during the day to which cryptogams are well-adapted. Full article

Beavers have lived in the territory of Poland since the beginning of the Holocene, as testified by bone remains found in archaeological sites of different ages. The area inhabited by these animals has experienced continuing transformations of terrain relief, geological structure, hydrology and plant cover. In Poland, beavers are partially protected and their population has spread in virtually every part of the country (except in the highest mountain ranges). The authors of this paper wish to present the results of field works carried out since 2006 in the Tuchola Forest (Polish Plain). This paper aims to identify the potential sediments of relict beaver ponds and their sedimentological features. The studies are also backed up with a description of radiocarbon dating of samples. The results indicate that beavers used to live in the Tuchola Forest in the Middle Ages, as shown by the radiocarbon dates and sequences of mineral–organic deposits found in exposures and geological boreholes. The spatial distribution of organic and mineral deposits in wider sections of river valleys can be explained by the avulsion of the riverbed downstream of the pond and by the distribution of ponds in the Gołyjonka valley. The discovery of relict beaver pond sediments suggests that the activity of these mammals in the Middle Ages played a major part in shaping the landscape of the valley. The results of studies clearly indicate that analyses of the valley sediment facies of small watercourses should take into account the role beavers played in the past in shaping the landscape of the analysed valley. This highlights the insufficiency of studies concerning the activity of beavers in river valleys. Full article

The paper presents the changes in the water surface area of Lakes Udzierz and Mątasek located in the headwaters of the catchment of the River Mątawa (tributary of the River Vistula). The assessment of the rate of changes was based on Polish and German topographic maps as well as orthophotomaps. The analysed lakes turned out to be two of the fastest disappearing Polish lakes. In the last century (1910–2010) the water surface area of Lake Udzierz decreased from 148.87 to 69.60 ha and that of Lake Mątasek from 29.5 to 0.64 ha. The average rate of loss of the lake surface area during this period was from 0.53 to 0.98% per annum. Such drastic morphometric changes in the studied lakes are, on the one hand, mainly due to poorly conducted drainage and, on the other hand, the eutrophication of the lake waters intensified by the anthropogenic impact. Full article

Multitemporal aerial photography and topographic maps were applied to investigate shoreline and surface area changes induced by floating islands in three small (area < 1 ha) peatland lakes in the Tuchola Forest. The observation period covers the last 60 years (1951–2011). Shorelines of peatland lakes are stable, unless parts of them detach as floating mats and become floating islands which could have migrated sporadically in the past. Currently, they are rooted permanently to the mat (Dury I and Dury V Lakes) or float loose (Kozie Lake). In the observation period, movement of the islands and closing of lake bays due to overgrowing were the main reasons of shoreline changes. Due to low resolution of old aerial photographs, other changes are not decipherable and can be treated as negligible. Therefore, no reasonable conclusions can be drawn regarding the actual floating mat encroachment during the last 60 years, and the rate of lake shrinking, based of aerial photographs. Full article