Andrzej Mazur

Communities of fungi in decomposed wood of oak and pine

Abstract The abundance and diversity of wood decomposing fungi were investigated by isolating and cultivating filamentous fungi from wood and by detection of fruit bodies of ascomycetous and basidiomycetous fungi. The objective was to study the impact of forest management on fungi in 100-year-old oak and 87-year-old Scots pine forests in Northern Poland. Fungi were found on coarse woody debris of decayed stumps and fallen logs, boughs and branches in each of the three (managed and unmanaged) examined stands. In total, 226 species of Oomycota and fungi were recorded. Oak wood was colonized by one species of Oomycota and 141 species of fungi including Zygomycota (19 species), Ascomycota (103 species) and Basidiomycota (19 species). Scots pine wood was also colonized by one species of Oomycota and 138 species of fungi including Zygomycota (19 species), Ascomycota (90 species) and Basidiomycota (29 species). In the first, second and third stages of decomposition, the oak wood was colonized by 101, 89 and 56 species of fungi respectively and pine wood was colonized by 82, 103 and 47 species respectively. Eighty three of the observed species (37%) occurred on both types of wood, while the other species displayed nutritional preferences. A decrease in the number of species with advancing decay indicates the necessity for a continuous supply of dead wood to the forest ecosystem. This supply would secure the continuity of fauna and flora and guarantee a stable forest development. The nutritional and ecological preferences of many fungal species furthermore indicate the necessity of supplying the forests with wood of different species. In commercially managed forests the results obtained here will aid in: (i) the development of strategies for effective dead wood management in the context of forest productivity and future wood stock growth, as well as (ii) finding a compromise between forest management requirements and environmental protection.

Occurrence of Ergates faber (Linnaeus 1761) (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae) and a proposal for protective measures in managed forests to preserve the species

This paper presents a proposal for commercial measures aiming at protecting the Ergates faber (Linnaeus 1761). Ergates faber is a beetle species (Coleoptera) from the longhorn beetles’ family, Cerambycidae, and remained protected in Poland since 2001 following the Regulation of the Minister of the Environment of 26 September 2001 (Journal of Laws 2001, no. 130, item 1456), while it was never listed in any exhibit to the Habitats Directive. In order to protect the Ergates faber in Poland it was necessary to draft a new set of principles for commercial forestry that would best facilitate the preservation of the species. The paper also indicates sites of this beetle’s occurrence never published before.

An attempt at valuation of wood from dead trees in Polish forests

This study suggests a method of valuation for wood coming from dead trees which was applied for pricing of such wood found in Polish forests. This study shows that in Polish forest there are approx. 52 million m3 biocenotic wood coming from dead or dying trees with an estimated value of 1.5 billion PLN/10 years.In 2007 and 2008 studies aimed to determine the effect of indoxacarb, substance classified as oxadiazines (Steward 30 WG) and beta-cyfluthrine, belonging to synthetic pyrethroids (Bulldock 025 EC), on the oxygen consumption rate by adult Anoplotrupes stercorosus were performed. Experiments were carried out under various ambient temperature conditions (14, 19, 24 i 29°C) using two ways of intoxication – contact intoxication, or by an ingestion of the biocide. In insects of control group an ambient temperature affected the oxygen consumption only to a small extent. Conversely – applying insecticides markedly potentiated the oxygen consumption, whereas it was also increasing together with an increase of the temperature. The way of the intoxication affected the oxygen consumption only to quite a small extent. However, its greatest changes were noted in animals treated by contact intoxication.The rising demand for energy and the need to acquire ever more energy quantities from renewable sources call for seeking energy sources in forestry. The analysis presents a simulation of wood quantities needed to meet the obligation to produce electricity from woody biomass. Three sources of energy were specified, which can be delivered to power plants: medium dimensional round firewood, small dimensional firewood and logging residues. The calculated quantity of wood required by the industrial energy sector will reach 15 million cu. meters. Forestry will be able to directly supply about 5.8 mill. cu. meters of wood for energy purposes, including 3.1 mill. cu. m of medium dimensional roundwood, 1.4 mill. cu. m of small dimensional wood and 1.35 mill. cu. m of woody material in the form of logging residues. The largest quantities of woody material will come from western and northern parts of the country. Taking into account the fact that considerable quantities of wood suitable for energy purposes are currently utilized for heating by rural communities, not much will be left for the industrial energy sector.The study was conducted on 13 areas in the Wołów Forest District in oak stands with the common oak as the dominant species. The stands in the Wołów Forest District located in the Odra valley, including the oak stands, were flooded in 1997 and 2010. The aim of this study was to analyse the influence of defoliation on radial growth of oaks in the post-flood stands. Recorded results showed an inferior growth in thickness and greater defoliation in the common oak in the post-flood stands. The average defoliation at 40% has a significant influence on radial growth. It seems advisable to include the capacity of radial growth in the assessment of the condition of trees.The effect of weather conditions on height increments of trees was investigated within eight age classes. Weather conditions (temperature and precipitation) were presented using Sielianinow’s hydrothermal index in the quarterly periods and the De Martonne index in the annual periods. Drought index in a given year was found to have a negative effect on height increments of trees in the following year. A significant effect of weather conditions found in a given increment year was observed only in the case of the youngest trees.

PRÓBA WYCENY WARTOŚCI DREWNA POCHODZĄCEGO Z MARTWYCH DRZEW W POLSKICH LASACH

This study suggests a method of valuation for wood coming from dead trees which was applied for pricing of such wood found in Polish forests. This study shows that in Polish forest there are approx. 52 million m3 biocenotic wood coming from dead or dying trees with an estimated value of 1.5 billion PLN/10 years.In 2007 and 2008 studies aimed to determine the effect of indoxacarb, substance classified as oxadiazines (Steward 30 WG) and beta-cyfluthrine, belonging to synthetic pyrethroids (Bulldock 025 EC), on the oxygen consumption rate by adult Anoplotrupes stercorosus were performed. Experiments were carried out under various ambient temperature conditions (14, 19, 24 i 29°C) using two ways of intoxication – contact intoxication, or by an ingestion of the biocide. In insects of control group an ambient temperature affected the oxygen consumption only to a small extent. Conversely – applying insecticides markedly potentiated the oxygen consumption, whereas it was also increasing together with an increase of the temperature. The way of the intoxication affected the oxygen consumption only to quite a small extent. However, its greatest changes were noted in animals treated by contact intoxication.The rising demand for energy and the need to acquire ever more energy quantities from renewable sources call for seeking energy sources in forestry. The analysis presents a simulation of wood quantities needed to meet the obligation to produce electricity from woody biomass. Three sources of energy were specified, which can be delivered to power plants: medium dimensional round firewood, small dimensional firewood and logging residues. The calculated quantity of wood required by the industrial energy sector will reach 15 million cu. meters. Forestry will be able to directly supply about 5.8 mill. cu. meters of wood for energy purposes, including 3.1 mill. cu. m of medium dimensional roundwood, 1.4 mill. cu. m of small dimensional wood and 1.35 mill. cu. m of woody material in the form of logging residues. The largest quantities of woody material will come from western and northern parts of the country. Taking into account the fact that considerable quantities of wood suitable for energy purposes are currently utilized for heating by rural communities, not much will be left for the industrial energy sector.The study was conducted on 13 areas in the Wołów Forest District in oak stands with the common oak as the dominant species. The stands in the Wołów Forest District located in the Odra valley, including the oak stands, were flooded in 1997 and 2010. The aim of this study was to analyse the influence of defoliation on radial growth of oaks in the post-flood stands. Recorded results showed an inferior growth in thickness and greater defoliation in the common oak in the post-flood stands. The average defoliation at 40% has a significant influence on radial growth. It seems advisable to include the capacity of radial growth in the assessment of the condition of trees.The effect of weather conditions on height increments of trees was investigated within eight age classes. Weather conditions (temperature and precipitation) were presented using Sielianinow’s hydrothermal index in the quarterly periods and the De Martonne index in the annual periods. Drought index in a given year was found to have a negative effect on height increments of trees in the following year. A significant effect of weather conditions found in a given increment year was observed only in the case of the youngest trees.

Translocation of threatened localities of Eastern eggar (Eriogaster catax L., 1758) as a method of active species protection based on localities in Southern Wielkopolska

The aim of the study was to inventory potential habitats and localities of Eastern eggar Eriogaster catax (Linnaeus, 1758) on the route of expressway S5 Poznań-Wrocław at the Kaczkowo-Korzeńsko section. Insects from documented localities overlapping with the planned expressway were translocated to new locations, guaranteeing development and existence of this protected insect species.

Phenology of development and population characteristics of the small spruce bark beetle Ips amitinus (Eichh.) in the Karkonoski National Park

Abstract In the years 2005- 2006, in the Karkonoski National Park there were conducted observations on infestation of spruce trees by bark beetles (Col., Curculionidae, Scolytinae). Data on bark beetle species composition and frequency of occurrence of individual species were collected. The data on development phenology of the small spruce bark beetle Ips amitinus in the upper subalpine spruce forest sites (1000- 1250 m a.s.l.) indicated higher frequency of occurrence of this species (26.3%) when compared to the European spruce bark beetle Ips typographus. The study included analyses of population size, density, fecundity and mortality of I. amitinus. The rate of development in I. amitinus in the Karkonosze Mts. is similar to that observed in the Alps. The number of laid eggs observed was low and the reproduction success was very high at minimal mortality. Establishment of feeding galleries and egg laying lasted several weeks and 1/3 of feeding galleries were found in the second series of trap trees.