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1

The role of ecotones in man-disturbed landscape : boundaries between mixed forest and adjacent man-made ecosystems in the Kampinos National Park, Poland

Dąbrowska-Prot E., Wasiłowska A.

Polish Journal of Ecology

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2012

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Vol. 60, nr 4

677--698

EN

Ecologists agree that one of the main effects of human activity is the decrease in patch size in the landscape and hence an increase in ecotone length as a transition zone between adjacent ecological systems. Theoretical and practical importance of this concept has become one of the leading issues in current ecological research. The ecological importance of the ecotones was investigated, in the boundary of natural forest complex of the Kampinos National Park and adjacent anthropogenic ecosystems. Quantitative and qualitative changes of plant communities and of dipterans (Chloropidae) – important pests of wild and crop plants – were recorded along four types of transects located at the distance of 3 km: 1/ mixed forest (Querco roboris-Pinetum Mat. 1981) – ecotone – managed meadow (Deschampsietum caespitosae Hor vatic 1930); 2/ mixed forest – ecotone – crop field (Arnoserido-Scleranthetum R.Tx.1937); 3/ mixed forest – ecotone – spontaneously growing 20-year-old birch wood; 4/ mixed forest – ecotone – planted 17-year-old pine wood. The exchange of plant and dipteran species between forest ecosystem and its surrounding was analysed. The role of ecotones as transit zone or barrier for such exchange and as optimum or exclusive habitat for plant and dipteran associations was evaluated. Botanical studies showed that the neighbouring, ecotone-forming communities differed markedly in the vegetation structure and species composition (similarity index between them varied from 8 to 47%). Width of contact zones was also different, ranging from 4 to 14 m. Therefore, two groups of transects were distinguished: mixed forest – young woods and mixed forest – agricultural communities which differed in plant species richness and vegetation structure in particular transect zones. It created clear contrast between ecosystems and their ecotones. Some species were being found exclusively in ecotones but these species differed among different ecotones. The so-called ‘edge effect’ was manifested in increased number of plant species in the ecotone compared with neighbouring ecosystems, higher density of some populations and their better life condition (reflected in individual’s size, earlier entering subsequent phenological phases, fecundity). Chloropidae mainly dwelled the transect of mixed forest – meadow (60% of all caught in study area) and mixed forest – crop field (24%). Only 16% of dipteran species were caught in the transect of mixed forest – woods. Phytophagous species dominated in the first two transects (80–86% of the total number). Saprophagous species were 4–6 time less numerous there. The proportions of both trophic groups were more uniform in the transect of mixed forest – woods. Of the 44 Chloropidae species only 10 (22%) were widely dispersed in the study area and only two species – the dangerous pests Oscinella frit L. and O. pusilla Mg. were noted in all zones of all studied transects. In the transects of mixed forest and anthropogenic ecosystems, only meadow and crop field created optimal habitats for Chloropidae They were ‘ecological traps’ that maintained over 66% of all dipterans caught in the study area. This finding contradicts the supposition of potential threat posed by these pests to protected forest grounds due to a proximity of nearby meadows and croplands. Similarly, there was no threat of penetrating the sustainable mixed pine forest complex by synanthropic plant species. They were mainly found in the crop field. Only 1/3 of these species permeated to the ecotone zone, but none to the forest.

2

Ecological importance of meadow patches in protected forest area : floristic diversity and the dynamics of insect communities

Dąbrowska-Prot E., Wasiłowska A.

Polish Journal of Ecology

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2010

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Vol. 58, nr 4

741-758

EN

The present studies deal with the practical and theoretical problems of meadows in structure and functioning of the forest complex. Floristic, phytosociological and entomological studies involved fragments of two meadows located in large forest complex Kampinos National Park (Central Poland): a 'mid-forest' meadow surrounded by forest and 'near-forest' meadow situated in the boundary between forest and open area. The plant community developed on mid-forest meadow can be classified as Lysimachio-Filipenduletum ulmarie Hadc et al. 1997, on near-forest meadow as Deschampsietum caespitose Horvatic 1930. Both studied meadow communities are very widespread in Kampinos National Park and in whole Poland. Insect community containing various trophic guilds from Chloropidae family (Diptera) was chosen as representative of the entomocoenosis. From the standpoint of landscape ecology the processes of plant and insects species dispersion from meadow to forest and vice versa, across the forest meadow ecotone were analysed. The obtain results revealed that the meadows and their ecotones are refuge habitats for many plant and Chloropidae species increasing plant and entomofauna biodiversity of forest landscape. Proximity of meadows did not cause significant changes in the floristic composition of forest vegetation. Fears concerning the negative impact of meadows on natural forest vegetation through penetration of alien plant species and phytophagous Chloropidae seem to be unfounded. Ecotone was an important barrier for most plant and Chloropidae species in their dispersion from meadow to forest and vice versa. In the case of mid-forest meadow 93% of plant species did not cross ecotone, for near-forest meadow it was 83%. A high index of dispersion of Chloropidae species in mid-forest transect and poor differentiation of their numbers between zones indicate substantial colonisation of the whole system by Chloropidae, however, ecological properties of this fauna (saprophage species, a lack of distinct dominant, low density) minimised the risk it might pose to meadow complex or to adjacent forest. Near-forest meadow with much richer and diverse Chloropidae fauna contributed minimally to the fauna of ecotone and adjacent forest. Only 25% of species number of Chloropidae colonised all zones of the transect there and their majority (55%) exclusively inhabited the meadow ecosystem. It was found, that, from the point of view of natural forest protection, the role of adjacent meadows is very significant. They make 'traps' for certain groups of phytophagous insects.

3

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in House Dust From Warsaw

Tatur A., Kicińska E., Wasiłowska A., Gromadka P.

Ecological Chemistry and Engineering. A

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2009

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Vol. 16, nr 7

867-874

EN

The content of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the dust from Warsaw apartments were studied. Samples were collected from 48 flats, from a few places in each flat: living room (floor, shelves), bedroom (bed), kitchen, lavatory. At the same time a survey by questionnaire was carried out, in which outside and internat factors were described. PAHs concentration in samples were determined by reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The levels of PAHs concentration varied between 8 and 173 mg/kg. The content of PAHs in dust from most of Warsaw apartments was high (from 5 to 50 ppm), and in more than ten was extremely high (> 50 ppm). It could be one of the sources of health hazards in home environment. In the greater part of analyzed samples, very high levels of the following hydrocarbons have been found: benzo[b]fluoranthene, fluoranthene, pyrene, fhiorene and phenanthrene. Among microenvironments, selected for the study, the sum of PAHs in kitchen and cellars has been two-three times higher as compared with that in other places. The results show a clear trend to an increased concentration of PAHs in apartment of tobacco smokers.

PL

Badano poziom zanieczyszczenia wielopierścieniowymi węglowodorami aromatycznymi (WWA[PAHs]) kurzu z mieszkań warszawskich. Próbki pobrano z 48 mieszkań, z kilku miejsc w każdym mieszkaniu: pokój dzienny (podłoga, półki), sypialnia (łóżko), kuchnia, łazienka. Równocześnie przeprowadzano ankietę, w której w kilku stopniowej skali oceniano różne czynniki zewnętrzne i wewnętrzne. Stężenie WWA w próbkach oznaczono metodą chromatografii cieczowej (HPLC). Uzyskane zakresy stężeń dla sumy szesnastu WWA, wahają się od 8 do 173 mg/kg. Wartości stężeń sumy WWA w większości próbek były duże, w granicach od 5 do 50 ppm, co może stanowić duże zagrożenie dla zdrowia. W kilkunastu próbkach stężenia WWA osiągały wartości bardzo duże. W większości próbek stwierdzono wyjątkowo duże stężenia takich węglowodorów, jak: benzo[b]fluoranten, fluoranten, piren, fluoren i fenantren. W wytypowanych do badań mikrośrodowiskach stwierdzono dwu-trzykrotnie większe stężenie sumy szesnastu WWA w kuchniach i piwnicach niż w pozostałych miejscach. Porównanie zawartości węglowodorów w kurzu ze zwaloryzowanymi danymi z ankiety wskazuje na wyraźną tendencję większego stężenia WWA w mieszkaniach osób palących.

4

Heavy metals in house dust from Warsaw

Tatur A., Gromadka P., Wasiłowska A.

Chemia i Inżynieria Ekologiczna

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2006

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Vol. 13, nr 7

695-702

EN

The concentration of heavy metals in the dust from Warsaw apartments were studied. Samples were collected from 50 flats, from a few places in each flat: living room (floor, shelves), bedroom (bed), kitchen, lavatory. At the same time questionnaires were carried out, in which different outside and internal factors were described using a scale. The content of heavy metals in Warsaw house dust oscillated in a very wide range. The concentrations of the majority of them (instead of Pb) were high in all flats. There were two groups differing in origin: Ag, Cr, Ni and partly Cu came from weathering metal alloys and Pb, Cd, Zn came from traffic pollution or paints and varnishes. A link between heavy metal content, and data from questionnaires was rather poor. The only statistically significant dependence found was that of trafic intensity and building age on Pb and Zn concentrations.

PL

Streszczenie Badano poziom zanieczyszczenia metalami ciężkimi kurzu z mieszkań warszawskich. Próbki pobrano z 50 mieszkań, z kilku miejsc w każdym mieszkaniu: pokój dzienny (podłoga, półki), sypialnia (łóżko), kuchnia, łazienka. Równocześnie przeprowadzano ankietę, w której w kilku stopniowej skali oceniano różne czynniki zewnętrzne i wewnętrzne. Zawartość metali ciężkich w kurzu mieszkań warszawskich waha się w bardzo szerokich granicach. Stężenia większości z nich (z wyjątkiem ołowiu) we wszystkich mieszkaniach były duże. Ze względu na pochodzenie można wyróżnić dwie grupy metali: Ag, Cr, Ni i częściowo Co, których źródłem są wietrzejące stopy metali i Pb, Cd, Zn pochodzące z zanieczyszczeń komunikacyjnych lub farb i lakierów. Związek pomiędzy oznaczoną zawartością metali ciężkich a danymi z ankiety był słaby. Zaobserwowano jedynie zależność między stężeniem Pb i Zn a intensywnością ruchu ulicznego i wiekiem budynku.

5

Spreading of alien plant species along tourist tracks in Karkonosze Mts.

Wasiłowska A.

Polish Journal of Ecology

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1999

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Vol. 47, no 4

399-408

EN

Investigations of plants growing along rarely frequented paths in the region of Mumlawski Wierch (1219 m a.s.l.) and a busy tourist track leading onto Szrenica Mt. (1362 m a.s.l.) were performed. An analysis was made of a distance to which the species brought by tourists may invade spruce forest communities. It was found that number of non-indigenous species ( phytocenotically foreign to the natural forest communities of Karkonosze Mts.) depends primarily on intensity of tourist traffic. In the region of Mumlawski Wierch waysides were not colonised by the non-native species, whereas along the way to Szrenica Mt. a lot of alien species were recorder. These were mostly synanthropic species as well as species typical of meadows and grasslands, and all of them belonged exclusively to apophytes. Furthermore, it has been revealed that possibilities of those plants to grow along waysides; a distance of their penetration into communities of spruce forests depends on the degree of tree cover destruction.

6

Soil properties under declined spruce canopies affected by industrial pollution in the Karkonosze region

Gworek B., Wasiłowska A., Sztrantowicz H.

Polish Journal of Ecology

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1999

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Vol. 47, no 4

373-380

EN

Basic physico-chemical properties of soil (pH, exchangeable and hydrolytic acidity, contents of organic carbon, total nitrogen, and exchangeable cations) were examined in a series of sites situated from the top downward a mount (1219-900 ma.s.l.) in the western part of Karkonosze Mts. Much variability in parameters studied was found resulting from origin of the soils as well as from environmental conditions. The soils are highly acidic, and the high exchangeable acidity is the main effect of exchangeable aluminium content of the soil. Mineral horizons of the soils have low cation exchange capacity and low saturation level with basic cations.

7

Changes of herb-layer vegetation in mountain spruce forests under the influence of industrial pollution and the forest decline

Wasiłowska A.

Polish Journal of Ecology

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1999

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Vol. 47, no 4

381-398

EN

The studies were carried out in the region of two peaks (Mumlawski Wierch 1219 m a.s.l. and Szrenica Mt. 1362 m a.s.l.) in the Karkonosze Mts (south-western Poland). As a consequence of deforestation of the area studied, herb-layer vegetation has been altered. This consists in e.g. changes in quantitative proportions among components of the plants, gradual diminishing of dicotyledonous forest species, and an increase in participation of grasses (Deschampsia caespitosa and Calamagrostis villosa) in the communities. Range of these changes depends on how long ago an area was devoid of forest. However, the effects of such transformations are not irreversible. Within the spruce saplings overgrowing the deforested areas, regeneration of typically forest herb-layer vegetation has been observed.

8

Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) as an indicator of environmental state of spruce forests in Karkonosze Mts.

Wasiłowska A., Gworek B.

Polish Journal of Ecology

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1999

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Vol. 47, no 4

449-463

EN

In a series of sites from the top of Mumlawski Wierch downwards (Western part of Karkonosze Mts.), properties of bilberry population as well as concentrations of heavy metals in various parts of the plant have been analysed in order to assess the state of spruce forests. It has been found that in habitats where tree stands are declined, density of bilberry population drops rapidly, the plants are becoming stunted and produce fewer flowers and fruits. Among heavy metals analysed, lead was the only one, the concentration of which in the plants exceeded permissible level, especially in sites located in the lower montane zone.