Anna Rożen

Effect of the chemical composition of industrial dusts on forest floor organic matter accumulation

The influence of dusts from aluminium (AP), zinc and lead (ZP1, ZP2), sintering (SP) and power (PP) plants on organic matter accumulation on the forest floor of a mixed oak-pine forest was studied in Niepołomice Forest near Kraków, Poland. An artificial application of the dusts on experimental plots was used corresponding to 100, 500, 1000, 2000, and 5000 t km−2. Increased organic matter accumulation was observed 5 yr following the addition of AP, ZP1 and ZP2 dusts, while SP and PP dusts at levels > 100 t km−2 caused a slight decrease in litter accumulation. Statistical analysis indicated that Cd, Mn, Pb and Zn present in industrial dusts were responsible for the increase in litter accumulation, while some nutrients (e.g. K, Mg, Na) contained in the dusts might decrease organic matter storage to some extent.

Do earthworms (Dendrobaena octaedra) from differently polluted forests vary in life-history parameters?

Abstract Populations of the earthworm Dendrobaena octaedra originating from sites differently polluted with heavy metals were studied. Adult earthworms were collected in May-June 1995 in three mixed-pine forests ( Pino-Quercetum ): the most polluted one near Olkusz, the moderately polluted Niepolomice Forest (both Southern Poland) and the relatively unpolluted Kampinoska Forest (Central Poland). The mean live weights of adult animals collected in the field were 0.2372, 0.2259 and 0.1878 g (three Olkusz populations), 0.2876 and 0.2437 g (two populations from Niepolomice Forest), and 0.2375 g (Kampinoska Forest). There were statistically significant differences in body mass between populations, but not between sites. The pattern of body mass changes, during the first year, was similar for all populations. In the winter months, the disappearance of the clitellum was observed. Cocoon production was low during the first four months of culture (approximately 2 cocoons ind. –1 month –1 ) and high in Spring 1996 (19 cocoons ind. –1 month –1 ). The mean fresh weights of cocoons collected in the field were 0.00396 g (Olkusz), 0.00429 and 0.00384 g (Niepolomice Forest), and 0.004 g (Kampinoska Forest). The mass of cocoons laid in the laboratory was lower. The populations studied differed in survival in laboratory cultures. The highest number of animals, surviving one year, was from the Olkusz populations.

Influence of different levels of traffic pollution on haemoglobin content in the earthworm Lumbricus terrestris

Abstract Our aim was to determine haemoglobin content in earthworm populations from sites with different amounts of soil pollution. The study was done on Lumbricus terrestris specimens from four sites: the median strip of a busy street in Cracow; a city park; forest about 30 km from Cracow (100 m from a low-traffic local road); and a forest on calcareous soil about 30 km from Cracow (distant from traffic). There were statistically significant differences in haemoglobin content between study sites. The lowest amount of haemoglobin was found in earthworms from the median strip (2.19 g 100 ml−1), the highest in those from the ‘cleanest’ forest on calcareous soil (3.18 g 100 ml−1). The highest lead concentration was found in specimens from the median strip (12.3 μg g−1) and only trace amounts were found in those from the forest on calcareous soil. There was a negative correlation between haemoglobin and lead concentrations in earthworms. Species composition, density and biomass of earthworm populations at the four sampling sites as well as the body mass of adult individuals of L. terrestris were estimated. No correlation was found between any of these variables and the extent of exposure to traffic pollution.

Diet of the Eurasian badger (Meles meles) in the Western Carpathians and its implications for species conservation in Poland

Food composition of the Eurasian badger Meles meles was studied in the mountain zone and foothills of the Western Carpathians (Southern Poland). The diet, obtained by scat analysis, was compared with availability of earthworms, fruits, amphibians, rodents and ground nesting birds (capercaillie Tetrao urogallus and hazel grouse Bonasa bonasia) within both altitudinal zones. Earthworms and fruits were the most abundant food source in the foothills, while amphibians were scarce and rodents were equally available in both altitudinal zones. Capercaillie and hazel grouse occurred in the forests above 560 m a.s.l. In the foothills, vegetable matter (mainly fruits), constituted 56.3%, and earthworms 39.6%, of the biomass consumed, while mammals were supplementary resources (2.9%). In the mountains, the importance of vegetable matter was smaller (47.9%). Earthworms and insects had a similar share (37.8% and 1.8%, respectively), but mammals were eaten much more intensively (13.9%). Birds (exclusively domestic hen) were taken by badgers only in the foothills (0.6%). There was a seasonal variation in badger diet composition in both altitudinal zones, as earthworms dominated in spring, while fruits were eaten mainly in summer and autumn. The composition of the badgers’ diet only slightly differed between foothills and mountains. This was probably caused by regular movement of badgers between elevational zones during foraging. We conclude that the present hunting regulation, which allows year-round hunting on badgers in areas inhabited by capercaillie, is not justified.

Factors shaping population density, demography and spatial organization of the Eurasian badger Meles meles in mountains - the Western Carpathians (Southern Poland) as a case study

We studied the socio-spatial ecology of the Eurasian badger (Meles meles) along the altitudinal gradient (250-1257 m a.s.l.) of the Western Carpathians (Southern Poland), 2004-2009. Family groups were small (mean 2.3 individuals) and home-ranges large (mean 5.42 km2, MCP 100%), which gave a low population density (2.2 individuals/10 km2). Badgers foraged mainly in the foothills, irrespective of the altitude at which their sett was located. They mostly searched for food in meadows, pastures and arable fields (34.4% of telemetry locations), or among shrubs (33.9%). Badgers were killed by hunters (0.37 individuals/10 km2 annually), and by wolves (0.07 individuals/10 km2). The badger population density was influenced mostly by the abundance of earthworms and hunting pressure, while the size and shape of their territories was determined by the distribution of foraging grounds.