Leszek Bolibok

Compositional dynamics of natural forests in the Bialowieza National Park, northeastern Poland

. This paper presents results of a long-term study on natural forest dynamics in the Bialowieza National Park (BNP), northeastern Poland. Five permanent sample areas were used, each consisting of a transect of varying width (40 - 60 m) and length (200 - 1380 m). The total sample area is 14.9 ha. The study covers the period 1936–1992. During this period measurements were made on five occasions at approximately 10-yr intervals. On each measurement date all trees with DBH > 5 cm were identified and their spatial location, diameter, crown condition and position in the canopy determined. During the study period the stands underwent noticeable changes, mainly in terms of tree species composition. The major change was a quantitative increase of the late-successional species: Tilia cordata and Carpinus betulus, also to a lesser degree Fraxinus excelsior and, in the last period, of the early successional Alnus glutinosa. Declining species included both early- and late-succession species. Among the latter group, Picea abies ranked first. This species lost much of its importance during the last few decades. P. abies was followed by Pinus sylvestris which is an important component of the climax vegetation under the conditions prevailing in Bialowieza, at least on more oligotrophic sites. Still, this species has not been able to regenerate during the whole study period. Some other late-succession species, Acer platanoides and Quercus robur, were also amongst the declining species. Although the basal area of Q. robur increased, its population was getting older and the process of natural regeneration was markedly impeded. All typical pioneer, short-lived species: Betula pendula and B. pubescens, Salix caprea and Populus tremula also decreased, which was probably caused by a lack of major disturbances during the study period. In general, the results obtained for the semi-natural conditions of Bialowieza during the 56-yr observation period suggest a rather high compositional instability of the forest stands there. A more precise identification of the role of particular factors in the observed stand dynamics is difficult because of the paucity of appropriate historical and environmental data which refer directly to the study plots; moreover, the data are generally incompatible and of different resolution.

Genome-wide characterization of genetic diversity and population structure in Secale

BackgroundNumerous rye accessions are stored in ex situ genebanks worldwide. Little is known about the extent of genetic diversity contained in any of them and its relation to contemporary varieties, since to date rye genetic diversity studies had a very limited scope, analyzing few loci and/ or few accessions. Development of high throughput genotyping methods for rye opened the possibility for genome wide characterizations of large accessions sets. In this study we used 1054 Diversity Array Technology (DArT) markers with defined chromosomal location to characterize genetic diversity and population structure in a collection of 379 rye accessions including wild species, landraces, cultivated materials, historical and contemporary rye varieties.ResultsAverage genetic similarity (GS) coefficients and average polymorphic information content (PIC) values varied among chromosomes. Comparison of chromosome specific average GS within and between germplasm sub-groups indicated regions of chromosomes 1R and 4R as being targeted by selection in current breeding programs. Bayesian clustering, principal coordinate analysis and Neighbor Joining clustering demonstrated that source and improvement status contributed significantly to the structure observed in the analyzed set of Secale germplasm. We revealed a relatively limited diversity in improved rye accessions, both historical and contemporary, as well as lack of correlation between clustering of improved accessions and geographic origin, suggesting common genetic background of rye accessions from diverse geographic regions and extensive germplasm exchange. Moreover, contemporary varieties were distinct from the remaining accessions.ConclusionsOur results point to an influence of reproduction methods on the observed diversity patterns and indicate potential of ex situ collections for broadening the genetic diversity in rye breeding programs. Obtained data show that DArT markers provide a realistic picture of the genetic diversity and population structure present in the collection of 379 rye accessions and are an effective platform for rye germplasm characterization and association mapping studies.

Autumn-winter diet overlap of fallow, red, and roe deer in forest ecosystems, Southern Poland

The wild population of fallow deer in Central Europe has grown considerably over the last decade. However, information on feeding habits of this alien species in relation to the indigenous red deer or roe deer, in areas of their co-occurrence, is scarce. A prevailing view maintains that their food-niches are distinct, although direct comparative studies have not been carried out. Therefore, the aim of the research was to compare the diets of fallow, red, and roe deer feeding in the same habitat. Research was based on the rumen contents of 242 animals hunted in the autumn-winter season in the forests of Southern Poland. The analyses demonstrated that fallow deer are moderate grazers in such conditions and eat more graminoids in comparison to red or roe deer (36.4% vs. 16.1% or 5.5%, respectively). On the other hand, it feeds on less browse (17.2% vs. 41.4%) or dwarf shrubs (8.4% vs. 19.0%) than red deer, and on less bramble (10.9% vs. 34.6%) or forbs (4.0% vs. 7.6%) in comparison to roe deer (P=0.05). Although the diets of the three deer species differ in terms of the proportion of each food type in their diet, overlapping of their food-niches is high (52.6%).

Equipment and photo exposure in hemispherical photography in forest research.

Sprzęt i ekspozycja zdjęć w fotografii hemisferycznej w badaniach leśnych Equipment and photo exposure in hemispherical photography in forest research The first and very important step in modeling regime of solar radiation below forest canopies is acquisition of proper canopy picture. This review is focused on factors influencing quality of hemispherical photographs applied for modeling of light conditions under canopy. Although numerous cameras and lenses are presently offered on the market, only few types may be considered useful for this purpose. The quality of picture depends not only on quality of camera lenses and sensor, but on proper exposure as well. The overexposure (2-3 EV) based on open sky light measurements is suggested to achieve proper quality photographs with high contrast between sky and forest canopy elements.

Effective BAC clone anchoring with genotyping-by-sequencing and Diversity Arrays Technology in a large genome cereal rye

Identification of bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) clones containing specific sequences is a prerequisite for many applications, such as physical map anchoring or gene cloning. Existing BAC library screening strategies are either low-throughput or require a considerable initial input of resources for platform establishment. We describe a high-throughput, reliable, and cost-effective BAC library screening approach deploying genotyping platforms which are independent from the availability of sequence information: a genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) method DArTSeq and the microarray-based Diversity Arrays Technology (DArT). The performance of these methods was tested in a very large and complex rye genome. The DArTseq approach delivered superior results: a several fold higher efficiency of addressing genetic markers to BAC clones and anchoring of BAC clones to genetic map and also a higher reliability. Considering the sequence independence of the platform, the DArTseq-based library screening can be proposed as an attractive method to speed up genomics research in resource poor species.

Latitudinal variability of the radiation microclimate in artificial forest gaps in Poland – the modelling perspective

Abstract The aim of the study was to characterize latitudinal changes in the radiative microclimate of small forest openings (artificial gaps) under Polish conditions. The global, direct and diffuse radiation on the forest floor in gaps was modelled using the Solar Radiation tool in ArcGiS 10.2 Esri. The gaps were modelled as holes of elliptical shape (60 m × 40 m diameters) in flat terrain and with a depth of 20 to 30 meters to mimic the height of a surrounding tree stand. The range of global radiation diversity on an open and flat surface predicted by our model was comparable with findings of empirical studies. Theoretically, the investigated gaps in the northern-most part of Poland receive only 82% of global solar radiation, 74% direct and 90% of diffuse radiation compared to gaps in the most southern part of the country. The comparison with empirical data indicates that local values of the transmittance parameter of the atmosphere may have a large influence on the actual values of solar radiation and may partially mask the latitudinal impact. Nevertheless, the model constitutes a valuable tool for characterising solar radiation diversity in a gap and supports silvicultural decision-making.

Modeling light conditions on the forest floor

Abstract Contemporary models of light conditions on the forest floor can be divided into two categories: undercanopy models that allow the light conditions in a stand under the canopy to be simulated, and models that take into account shielding from the side. Under-canopy models precisely estimate the availability of wavelengths of light spatially distributed under the canopy of stands: however, these models require a large amount of data on the spatial structure of forest stands. The other class of models describe the light conditions on a particular open surface. These incorporate shielding from the side and are easier to use as they require less data than under-canopy models. In practice, in forest conditions, such models require data on the size, shape and geographical location of surveyed surfaces (e.g. gaps and cut areas) and on the height of the surrounding stand. Often, these data are available in databases, such as the State Forest Information System (SKP), orcan otherwise be obtained relatively easily (and inexpensively). Compared to under-canopy models, these models provide a cheap way to obtain useful information on variation in the light environment that affects the microclimate for regenerating plants on clearcuts and canopy gaps.

The height of seven-year-old oaks growing in gaps in different forest habitats

Wysokość siedmioletnich odnowień dębowych na gniazdach w różnych warunkach siedliskowych The height of seven-year-old oaks growing in gaps in different forest habitats Spatial variability in the height of planted oak saplings was investigated at three different sites: deciduous, mixed deciduous and mixed coniferous forest types in artificial gaps of size about 15 and 23 ares (1 are = 100 m-2). (four gaps for ‘gap size - forest site’ combination). The height of planted trees was measured on five circular plots (radius 3 m) placed in the gap centre and 9 meters from southern, northern, eastern and western gap borders. At the deciduous forest site, the tallest 7-year-old oaks were growing in the northern part of the gaps and oak height diminished towards the south. The opposite growth pattern was observed in the remaining forest sites. The water holding capacity of rich soils is usually greater than that of poor soils, and we attribute the observed trends to good water supplies for young oaks allowing them to grow better on the northern side of gaps where they receive more light; whereas on poor soils moisture is more important. There was no biologically significant difference between the heights of oaks in gaps of 15 ares and gaps of 23 ares at the mixed deciduous forest site. This suggests that it may be possible for foresters to cut larger gaps while still promoting regeneration without a loss in productivity.

Polish beech-larch stands: their structure, productivity and processes of generation

Sposób powstawania, struktura i produkcyjność drzewostanów bukowo-modrzewiowych w Polsce Polish beech-larch stands: their structure, productivity and processes of generation The aim of this study was to analyse how the formation processes that generate mixed larch stands with beech in the secondary storey affect their standing volume and growing stock. These estimates were based on data from 19 Polish stands surveyed for age, growth, stand quality and growing stock as partitioned among the tree species and canopy strata. Qualitative traits and changes in the standing volume and growing stock related to the proportion of beech to larch in the stand were analyzed for two larch age groups: (1) less than 120 years old and (2) over 120 years old. The examined stands were generated in two ways: through the establishment of mixed beech-larch crops or through the introduction of beech trees under an existing canopy of larch (usually at aged 40-50 years old or older). The growing stock of large timber in younger stands ranged from 372 to 622 m3/ha, including 86 to 190 m3/ha from beech and other admixed species, and was 482 to 1102 m3/ha from older stands, with species other than larch contributing 158 to 390 m3/ha. As the proportion of beech in the stand increases, the overall stand growing stock decreases: to a greater extent in younger than in older stands. Hence, excessive reduction in larch density is not desirable, since it is not compensated by increased beech reaching the upper canopy. In most stands, regardless of the method of stand generation, beech has a high growth rate so adds to stand quality. Stands with the largest growing stock (Młynary i Miłomłym - northern Poland) reached 1034 and 1102 m3/ha of large timber, of which the larch standing volume was, respectively 711 and 834 m3/ha.

Characteristics of silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) in a provenance trial in Rogów

Analiza wybranych cech jodły pospolitej (Abies alba Mill.) na powierzchni proweniencyjnej w Rogowie Characteristics of silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) in a provenance trial in Rogów The paper presents demographic data from a provenance trial of silver fir in Rogów Forest District, central Poland that were monitored when aged 30 and 35 years old. Six silver fir provenances were compared from different regions of its natural range, including five from Poland (Goszcz, Nieskurzów, Stary Sącz, Świętokrzyski National Park, Kobiele Wielkie) and one from Germany (Schwarzwald). Survival and growth parameters (height and DBH) were recorded to assess the vitality and relative breeding value of the fir provenances. Survival was highest in the populations of firs from the Świętokrzyskie Mountains and Schwarzwald, but lowest in the Kobiele Wielkie and Goszcz provenances. The average tree height aged 30 over all of the provenances measured ranged from 5.4mto 7.8 m. In 2008 (i.e. aged 35), the Kobiele Wielkie population had the tallest mean tree height of 9.9 m, and the smallest population, at 7.4 m, was Schwarzwald. During the five-year measurement period (2003-2008) the firs from the Nieskurzów and Goszcz provenances grew most in height. The provenance Schwarzwald had the smallest mean DBH at both age 30 and 35, whereas the provenance Kobiele Wielkie had the highest DBH. The average increase in trunk diameter during the five-year measurement period was 20.6 mm for all provenances, whereas the diameter growth of provenances Schwarzwald, ŚPN, and Stary Sącz, fell below this value. The fir populations studied significantly differed in their overall height and DBH and in the growth rates (over 5 years) of these two parameters. Firs from Nieskurzów and Schwarzwald were in good condition while the firs from Kobiele Wielkie and ŚPN showed signs of reduced assimilation capacity and needle discoloration. The tested firs were evaluated according to the breeding value index: Świętokrzyski National Park (very good), Kobiele Wielkie and Goszcz (good), Stary Sącz, Nieskurzów (poor), Schwarzwald (bad). When selecting provenances for planting in the central Poland, firs from Świętokrzyski National Park, whereas those from Schwarzwald should be avoided.