Search

Within Poland the largest Pteridophyte genus is Dryopteris. So far, 19 taxa, including 11 species, have been recorded. In 2022, during research conducted in the Podgórze Wilamowickie district, a new hybrid taxon was discovered for the flora of Poland, D. ×sarvelae (D. carthusiana × D. expansa). It was found at a site between Witkowice and Nidek, in a transitional area between an alder riparian forest and an oak-fir-pine forest, in a zone of springs with water containing iron compounds. This stand has about 200 individuals and is amongst the largest populations of this taxon so far recorded. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The adverse effects of combustion waste disposal sites could be limited by their biological stabilization. This work presents a review of the literature on the utility of species of alder (black, grey and green) in the biological stabilization, and potentially phytoremediation, of combustion waste disposal sites. All three alder species studied are characterized by high survival rates and good growth parameters, with black alder displaying better growth parameters compared to grey alder. In general, the three alder species have been found to have similar and positive effects on the physicochemical properties of combustion waste, with the observed differences being relatively small. In combustion waste disposal site located in Central Poland, litter pH was slightly acidic (pH in KCl 6.3) to neutral (pH in KCl 6.7), which is favourable for strongly alkaline combustion wastes. Accumulation of litter layer ranged from 2.9 to 3.6 Mg ha–1, and grey alder litter was characterized by the highest content of nutrients (N-P-K). Organic C content in the 0–5 cm mineral layer (A) increased to 38.06 and 47.80 g kg–1, respectively for green and black alder. However, the selection of a single tree species for the reclamation of combustion waste needs to be based not only its phytoameliorative function but also its growth and biomass parameters. Given those parameters, black alder is strongly recommended. This species has a similar effect on the properties of combustion waste as grey alder, but it exhibits better growth parameters. Green alder, being a shrub with lower biomass and litter fall than the other two species, exerts weaker ameliorative and soil development effects, but may be used on slopes to counteract erosion processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study, based on the examination of 70 published and unpublished pollen profiles from Poland and supplementary data from the surrounding regions, shows that an abrupt, episodic Alnus population decline at the end of the first millennium CE was a much more widespread event than has been previously reported, spanning large areas of the temperate and boreal zones in Europe. The data from Poland suggest that the decline was roughly synchronous and most likely occurred between the 9th and 10th centuries, with strong indications for the 10th century. The pollen data indicate that human impacts were not a major factor in the event. Instead, we hypothesize that one or a series of abrupt climatic shifts that caused floods and droughts at the end of the first millennium CE could have initiated this ecological disturbance, leading to a higher vulnerability of the alder trees to a pathogen outbreak. Following current observations of the decline of alder stands in Europe due to a Phytophthora outbreak, we suggest that a similar process may have occurred in the past. This study provides insight into long-term alder (mainly Alnus glutinosa) dynamics in a condition of climate change and illustrates its great resilience, enabling the natural, successful regeneration of alder stands after critical diebacks if environmental conditions improve. Our finding that the Alnus pollen decline reflects a roughly synchronous event indicates that the decline could be used as an over-regional chronostratigraphic marker for 800–1000 CE in pollen diagrams from a large part of the European Lowland. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main aim of this study was the reconstruction of the environmental changes (identifiable at this stage of research) resulting from large-scale charcoal production for the needs of historical water-powered metallurgy in selected sites in the Mała Panew basin. The identification of the remains of charcoal hearths was carried out by analysing shaded relief models. Shaded relief models were created from data from Airborne Laser Scanning (LIDAR). In order to verify the charcoal hearth remains identified in digital images, ground proofing was carried out. The charcoal hearth remains were subjected to sampling. Fragments of charcoal were extracted from the samples, which were then sent for analysis to identify tree species. In order to determine the age of chosen charcoal hearth remains, 10 charcoal pieces were submitted for radiocarbon dating. The following taxa were identified: Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris), alder (Alnus sp.), birch (Betula sp.), oak (Quercus sp.), Norway spruce / larch (Picea abies / Larix sp.), Silver fir (cf. Abies alba) and ash (Fraxinus excelsior). The taxa identified are dominated by Scots pine (56%). This research demonstrates that valuable wood of deciduous species might have been overexploited at the initial stage of metallurgical production and very quickly exhausted, being replaced by fast-growing coniferous species. The excessive exploitation of the forests might have had negative environmental effects such as the transformation/modification of the species composition of the forest cover, significant deforestation of exploited areas, intensification of floods or the initiation of aeolian transport of sands. All the charcoal hearth remains investigated date to the period from 1677 to 1957 AD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The directions of the post-Wartanian (post-Saalian) migration of some thermophilous trees and shrubs into the territory of Poland was reconstructed on the basis of isopollen maps, prepared for the Eemian Interglacial based on the palynological data from 187 Polish pollen profiles. Isopollen maps clearly demonstrated, that all thermophilous trees, which appeared in this area in the early Eemian (Quercus , Ulmus , Fraxinus), migrated from the east or north-east. Also Tilia and Alnus , which arrived in the area of Poland in the middle part of the Eemian Interglacial migrated from the east. Picea , which colonized the territory of Poland twice: first at the very early stage of the interglacial, and then in the younger Eemian, migrated from the east and north-east. Only Corylus , Carpinus betulus and Abies alba migrated from other directions (from the south, from the south-west and from the south-west, respectively). Domination of the western and south-western directions of migration routes clearly differentiates the Eemian Interglacial from the Holocene, during which the majority of trees and shrubs migrated into territory of Poland from the south, south-east, south-west and west, and only a few, such as Ulmus and Picea , also from the east and north-east. We assumed that the most probable reason of this difference was a presence of the Wartanian (Saalian) refugia of many trees, including thermophilous taxa, in the Eastern Europe (west Russia or Black See region). From those regions, together with the decay of the ice sheet, these trees migrated directly into Central Europe along the northern slopes of the Carpathians, or at first migrated to the north via regions which were beyond the maximum range of the Saalian, and from there to the west after the ice sheet melted in this part of Europe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Black alder is naturally widespread across all of Europe and has an increasing importance for forest ecosystems. Thanks to the considerable tolerance to adverse climatic and edaphic environmental conditions black alder is important both in open landscapes and can also be involved in the rehabilitation of disturbed soils. Assessment of site productivity is essential for providing a frame of reference for silvicultural diagnosis and prescription in order to ensure the sustainability of existing and newly established ecosystems. The most accepted method of evaluating site productivity is the site index (SI). The aim of the presented research was to develop the SI model for black alder in southern Poland. The developed SI model was used as a tool in order to test the research hypothesis assuming the increase in site productivity for black alder in southern Poland. The research material for development of SI model were stem analysis data from 180 research plots. Both, the local model parameter, which was estimated individually for every tree, and the other parameters estimated globally for the whole data set were estimated simultaneously. Changes in site productivity were analyzed on research plots and a set of 12,974 stands from the forest inventory database. Site indices calculated using the developed model are negatively correlated with age/positively correlated with establishment year of the stands. This confirms the existence of the phenomenon of increasing site productivity for black alder. During the last century site productivity measured with site index increased on average 5 m. Therefore, black alder that belongs to the fast-growing tree species should be considered of the increasing importance for forest management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study we analyzed daily pollen concentrations of Alnus spp. and Betula spp. from Worcester, UK and Wrocław, Poland. We analyzed seasonality, annual pollen index and footprint areas for the observed pollen concentrations by using the trajectory model hybrid single particle Lagrangian integrated trajectory (HYSPLIT). We examined 10 years of data dur- ing the period 2005-2014 and found substantial differences in the seasonality, pollen indices and footprint areas. For both genera, concentrations in Wrocław are in general much higher, the seasons are shorter and therefore more intense than in Worcester. The reasons appear to be related to the differences in overall climate between the two sites and more abundant sources in Poland than in England. The footprint areas suggest that the source of the pollen grains are mainly local trees but appear to be augmented by remote sources, in particular for Betula spp. but only to a small degree for Alnus spp. For Betula spp., both sites appear to get contributions from areas in Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium, while known Betula spp. rich regions in Russia, Belarus and Scandinavia had a very limited impact on the pollen concentrations in Worcester and Wrocław. Substantial and systematic variations in pollen indices are seen for Betula spp. in Wrocław with high values every second year while a similar pattern is not observed for Worcester. This pattern was not reproduced for Alnus spp. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Actual ecological research postulates for alder carrs a cyclic alternation of Alnus tree vegetation with open fen or Salix dominated vegetation. Such cycles are also indicated in palaeo-ecological studies, but normally the temporal resolution of these studies is insufficient to resolve the duration of short-term cycles in vegetation development. This paper presents a high resolution palaeoecological study (including pollen, macrofossils and non-pollen palynomorphs) of a Late Holocene wood peat section from the small, long-term Alnus dominated peatland ‘Heger Soll’ in the ‘Rodder Forst’ in Western Pomerania (NE Germany) to reconstruct short-term vegetation changes. During a time-span of ca. 800 years, sedge-dominated fen vegetation types alternated with two phases of Alnus carr and one phase of Salix shrubland. The alder carr decline coincided with the beginning of intensified human activity in the surroundings of the mire and was probably connected to increased water discharge resulting from large-scale deforestation, after which willow scrub and sedge fen became established. Growth of Alnus trees was associated with prolonged phases of reduced human impact and probably less water supply. This study shows that human impact on the uplands surrounding the mire and on the alder carr itself may explain the observed “cyclic” vegetation development of alder carrs, willow scrubs and sedge fens in Central Europe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phytophthora alni complex (P. × alni, P. × multiformis, P. uniformis) are pathogens attacking alder seedlings and trees, causing significant losses in nurseries and natural tree stands. Decay of alder trees has been observed in Poland for over a dozen years. Overall, 25 Polish isolates of P. × alni obtained from symptomatic alder trunks, rhizosphere soil surrounding infected trees, and nearby natural streams were compared with isolates from symptomatic trunks obtained in France, Belgium and Hungary. Morphologic characterization of mycelium, vegetative and generative organs, temperature effect on mycelium growth, and their pathogenicity were studied. The mycelium growth rate of isolates from symptomatic plants was fastest on Carrot Agar (CA) medium, and from soil and water on Vegetable Agar (V8A) medium. The sizes of zoosporangia varied depending on their origin. The isolates that originated from the soil had the largest zoosporangia. The diameter of the oogonia and antheridia did not differ regardless of their origin. The results of pathogenicity tests of P. × alni isolates obtained from different sources showed that the soil isolates were the most aggressive in each test, followed by the isolates from the trunks and water. A simple test of leaf colonization can give an idea of the aggressiveness of the isolate towards the shoots and roots. No morphological or physiological markers of aggressiveness have been found. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. The pollen season in Poland usually begins in February but the pollination of trees and bushes in early spring is very changeable and weather-dependent. Aim of the study. The aim of the study was to assess the pollination of early-blooming trees and bushes, including hazel, poplar, and willow in łódź area in 2008, with special regard to the beginning of pollination, maximum daily pollen count and the total yearly pollen count. Material and methods. The studies were conducted using the volumetric method with the Lanzoni apparatus. The beginning of pollination was determined using the so-called 1% method. Results. In 2008, the pollination of trees and bushes began very early. A long-term perspective shows that the pollination of hazel in 2008 was the earliest in the recent 8 years - 1 February, and alder - 6 February. Maximum daily pollen count for hazel and alder were average in comparison to previous years. The total pollen fall for hazel was 304 grains/season and for alder over 4100 grains/season. No significant pollination interruption due to the weather change was observed in the pollination of early-blooming trees in 2008. A signifi cant increase in the total pollen count and maximum daily count of alder and poplar was observed. Conclusions. Continuous acceleration of the beginning of the tree blooming period occurring in recent years requires monitoring from early January, especially with regard to increased intensity of alder and hazel pollination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Daily average Alnus pollen counts (1996–2005) from Worcester (UK) and Poznań (Poland) were examined with the aim of assessing the regional importance of Alnus pollen as an aeroallergen. The average number of Alnus pollen grains recorded annually at Poznań was more than 2.5 times that of Worcester. Furthermore, daily average Alnus pollen counts exceeded the thresholds of 100, 500 and 1,000 grains/m³ more times at Poznań than Worcester. Skin prick test results (1996–2005) and allergen-specific IgE (asIgE) measurements using the CAP (Pharmacia) system (2002–2005), were supplied by the Allergic Diseases Diagnostic Centre in Poznań. The annual number of positive skin prick tests to Alnus pollen allergens was significantly related (p<0.05) to seasonal variations in the magnitude of the Alnus pollen catch recorded at Poznań (r=0.70). The symptoms of patients with positive skin prick tests to Alnus pollen allergens were: 51% pollinosis, 43% atopic dermatitis, 4% asthma, 1% chronic urticaria and 1% eczema. On a scale of 0–6, 20.5% of patients examined for serum asIgE in relation to Alnus pollen allergens had asIgE measurements in classes 5 and 6. Alnus pollen is generally considered to be mildly allergenic. However, the amount of Alnus pollen released into the atmosphere in places such as Poznań may increase its impact on the population and make it one of the more important aeroallergens present. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Dasineura tetensi is a widespread blackcurrant pest. The susceptibility of blackcurrant genotypes to leaf midge colonization was assessed to select the genotypes least susceptible to be used as parents in the breeding. Experiments were conducted between 2012–2014 in Poland. Percentage shoot damage, and number of eggs and larvae were assessed for each genotype. Among tested blackcurrant genotypes, none were found to be completely resistant to this pest. However, some genotypes (Big Ben, Nr 8/72, Ben Connan, Ben Alder, Ben Hope, Foxendown, Ben Nevis, Fariegh, Ojebyn, and Ben Tirran) were colonized by the pest below the threshold level (10%); proving tolerance to the pest. The fewest pest eggs were recorded on the genotypes Big Ben, Ben Connan, Ben Alder, and Ben Nevis, and out of these Big Ben, Nr 8/72, Ben Connan, and Foxendown had the least larvae recorded. Blackcurrant leaf midge (Dasineura tetensi) is a widespread pest of blackcurrant. Attacks by this pest can cause up to 60% reduction in the growth of shoots resulting in yield decreases. Our study, conducted (2012–2014) in Poland, aimed to assess the susceptibility of blackcurrant genotypes to D. tetensi, in order to select genotypes as parental lines for breeding new blackcurrant genotypes. Among tested blackcurrant genotypes, none were found to be completely resistant to this pest. The pest colonized genotypes Big Ben, Nr 8/72, Ben Connan, Ben Alder, Ben Hope, Foxendown, Ben Nevis, Fariegh, Ojebyn, and Ben Tirran below the threshold level (10%). In contrast, genotypes Nr 7/15, Ben Lomond, Ben Finlay, Tisel, Polares, Polonus, Tiben, PC-110, Polben, Gofert, Ruben, and Ores suffered pest levels above the threshold. With regard to egg numbers, the fewest were recorded on genotypes Big Ben, Ben Connan, Ben Alder, and Ben Nevis, and the most on Gofert and Ores. Fewer larvae were recorded on genotypes Big Ben, Nr 8/72, Ben Connan, and Foxendown compared to Ben Lomond, PC-110, Gofert, Tiben, Polben, and Ores. Developing blackcurrant genotype resistance to leaf midge strongly supports the IPM strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alnus viridis (Chaix) DC., green alder, is a fast-growing shrub that grows expansively in the European mountainside. In Poland, A. viridis naturally occurs only in the Bieszczady Mountains (south-eastern part of the country), above the upper forest border. In this study, we assessed the potential of green alder to expand in post-farming areas in the Bieszczady Mountains. We investigated the effects of topographical, climatic, and edaphic characteristics of four various study sites on the physiological and morphological properties of A. viridis leaves in order to answer the question whether the growth of plants in lower positions improves their physiological condition to such an extent that it increases the species invasiveness. This is the first comprehensive ecophysiological study of this species to be carried out in this part of Europe. The photochemical efficiency of PSII, the chlorophyll content, and leaf 13C and 15N discrimination were analyzed. On the basis of leaf radiation reflection, coefficients such as reflectance indices of anthocyanins, carotenoids, flavonoids (ARI2, CRI1, FRI), photochemical index of reflection (PRI), and the water band index (WBI) were calculated. We observed favorable physiological effects in A. viridis plants growing in locations below the upper forest border compared to plants growing in higher locations. As a result, A. viridis may become an invasive species and disturb the phytocoenotic balance of plant communities of the altitudinal zones in the Polish Western Carpathians. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to establish the impact of season on productivity, labour consumption, and working time structure during timber harvesting from young alder stands (Alnus glutinosa Gaertn.). An early thinning process was performed in summer and winter in pure alder stands (38 and 40 years old) in the Płaska Forest Division (NE Poland). The felling and processing operations were performed by experienced loggers using the cut-to-length (CTL) system, and forwarding with manual loading and unloading involved the use of a Zetor 7045 (65 HP) farming tractor and trailer. In both summer and winter, the loggers spent most of their labour time on felling trees (approx. 23%) and bucking (approx. 36%). Assistant loggers spent most of their time stacking logs (49.2% in summer and 58% in winter). The most time-consuming activities in forwarding were loading, unloading, and transportation. The average time consumption of tree felling and processing amounted to 0.36 ± 0.11 h/m3; that of forwarding was lower, at 0.24 ± 0.07 h/m3. No statistically significant differences in the labour consumption of tree felling were identified between winter and summer (p = 0.863). For forwarding, labour consumption was significantly higher in winter (0.28 h/m3) than in summer (0.19 h/m3, p = 0.001). Average productivity was 3.02 ± 1.09 m3/h for tree felling and 4.76 ± 1.80 m3/h for forwarding. The productivity of felling was similar in winter (2.83 m3/h) and in summer (3.22 m3/h). For forwarding, productivity was significantly higher in summer (5.70 m3/h) than in winter (3.81 m3/h, p < 0.01). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The food preferences of beavers depend on many factors, such as forage taxonomy, stem diameter, and the distance from a riverbank. In this study, we investigated beavers' diets and food preferences in an urban area of northern Poland subject to varying levels of human disturbance. In the course of the study, we confirmed a similar preference for the browsing of woody plants, as described in other studies. The most popular and preferred woody plants in beaver's diet were willows and maples, and most woody plants were characterized by a stem diameter less than 10 cm. We also found that human disturbance played an important role in shaping the beavers' diets. We discussed this phenomenon from the basis of optimal foraging theory. We studied beavers' dietary preferences and the role of several factors (such as plant species, size and anthropopression level) that affect the beavers' foraging in northern Poland. Woody plants along the river were measured and classified according to species in six 100 m-long transects that were characterized by a diversified human disturbance level. Ivlev's electivity index was used to present the beavers' preferences for various plant species and sizes, and the generalized linear model was used to assess the significance of studied factors in beavers' browsing choices. Most popular in the beavers' diets were willows (Salix), maples (Acer) and alder (Alnus), but only willows and maples were preferred. We noted a decrease in the beavers' foraging preference in parallel to an increase in the shoot diameter; plants with a diameter below 10 cm were preferred. All factors included in the generalized linear model (GLM) were significant in shaping the beavers' foraging choices. A negative correlation between the shoot diameter and the human disturbance level was found, but the species composition of the browsed woody plants was the same in each transect. Beavers' foraging preferences, as observed in our study, were similar to those described in the literature and confirmed the role of woody species and their diameters in shaping the beavers' diet. We also suggested the potential role of anthropopression in the shaping of the beavers' foraging behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]