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Various factors, such as availability of light, water, nutrients and soil properties have impact on plant growth. Macroelement content in the seedlings affects their biometric features (such as height and weight) which in turn affects the likelihood that the seedling would survive and thrive later in the forest. This research focuses on analyzing how changes in bulk density of the substrate affect the selected biometric features and the content of macroelements in different parts of the Scots pine Pinus sylvestris L. seedlings (needles, shoot and root). This paper presents the results of research carried out using Scots pine seedlings grown in 120 cm containers. The seedlings grew at 9 different peat substrate bulk densities (ranging from 0.208−0.342 g·cmsup–3/sup). Here, we have determined the macroelements (N, P, K, S, Ca and Mg) content of individual parts of the seedlings (needles, shoot, root system) and substrate furthermore their selected biometric features (height of the above ground plant, dry weight of needles, shoot, root system, length of fine roots). It was found that higher bulk density of the substrate had a limiting effect on the uptake of most macroelements by seedlings and on the examined biometric features. The analysed macroelement content in the assimilation apparatus was compared to the optimal values given in the literature and it was shown that the best concentration of peat substrate for the cultivation of Scots pine seedlings, in terms of this criterion, is in the range of 0.103−0.117 g·cmsup–3/sup dry bulk density., Sylwan 166 (3): 211-223

The research was conducted in July 2018 in the Barania Góra massif in the Silesian Beskids. Water samples were taken from the springs and watercourses of the Biała Wisełka and Czarna Wisełka Rivers, comprising the headwaters of the largest river in Poland, the Vistula. A total of 69 water samples was collected: 15 from the springs and 20 from the watercourses of the Biała Wisełka; 11 from the springs and 23 from the watercourses of the Czarna Wisełka. Water samples were collected mainly within the Barania Góra nature reserve. The Reserve was established in 1953 to protect and observe the processes taking place in the various climatic and vegetation zones of the Silesian Beskids and to preserve the spring area of the Vistula in its natural state. Laboratory work was performed at the Laboratory of Geochemistry of the Forest Environment and Land Intended for Reclamation of the University of Agriculture in Krakow. In the water samples collected, pH (Elmetron CX−741 multifunction instrument), conductivity (Elmetron CPC−551 conductometer) and concentrations of Ca2+, Mg2+, SO42–, Cl–, NH4+, NO3–, HCO3–, Na+, and K+ ions were measured (DIONEX 5000 chromatograph). The research aims to explore the differences in the physicochemical parameters and the water quality of the Vistula spring area, including the differences between the Biała Wisełka and Czarna Wisełka supply areas. The spring areas of Czarna Wisełka and Biała Wisełka differ in geological structure, soil type and subtype, topography, exposure, forest habitat type, and tree−stand species composition. Additionally, the spring area of Czarna Wisełka and the upper portions of the spring area of Biała Wisełka were affected by the defeat of the dieback of spruce stands. These environmental factors are apparent in the different chemical compositions of the watercourses and springs of the two catchments. Lower pH, conductivity, and concentrations of Ca2+, Mg2+, Cl–, NH4+, NO3–, HCO3–, Na+, and K+ ions in both springs and watercourses were recorded in the Czarna Wisełka catchment., Sylwan 166 (9): 579-592

The study was conducted in the year 2010 in the Łysogóry Mts. in Świętokrzyski National Park. Spring water samples were collected in three rounds. The first round was carried out after the period of snowmelt (March/ April 2010), the second – after intensive rainfall (May 2010) and the third – when water levels were low (July 2010). The data set attained concerned conductivity, water pH, and also concentrations of the foremost anions (Cl-, NO3-, SO4 2-) and cations (NH4+, Na+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+). Spring water quality was assessed in line with Polish policy on groundwater (Regulation of the Minister of Environment of 23 July 2008, The results confirmed that spring water quality strongly depended on wet acid deposition and the geological structure. Tree species (fir and beech), exposition and soil types within the alimentation area did not influence water chemistry. Spring water were found in low quality classes according to Polish standards due to low water pH as well as high NO3 - and NH4 + concentration.

The purpose of this study was to determine the concentrations of heavy metals (Zn, Pb, Cd) in the fruits of bilberry growing in the forests of the Świerklaniec Forest District. The conducted analysis shows high concentration of heavy metals in the bilberry fruits. Content of lead exceeded the admissible limits by even 50 times and of cadmium by 20 times., Sylwan 156 (3): 233-240