Marek Degórski

Decomposition of pine-litter organic matter and chemical properties of upper soil layers: transect studies

Abstract The relationship between Scots pine litter decomposition rate and some chemical properties of the upper soil layers and litter (contents of iron, manganese, zinc, copper, lead, mercury, nickel and chromium) was determined. For the metal content in the organic-mineral horizon of soils, the strongest correlation was between needle decomposition and copper (r=0.90), zinc (r=0.90), iron (r=0.83), and nickel (r=0.85) concentrations. For the metal content of litter, the strongest correlations were between needle decomposition and nickel (r=0.89), iron (r=0.83), zinc (r=0.80), and lead (r=0.82) concentrations. For mixed-litter decomposition and litter heavy metal concentrations, the highest correlations were with nickel (r=0.72), iron (r=0.71), zinc (r=0.66), and lead (r=0.68). There were no significant correlations between the rate of decomposition of wood or cones and the litter concentration of metals other than chromium. In some cases, the correlations between decomposition rate and metal concentration were positive. Two out of six significant correlations between needle decomposition and the concentration of metals in litter were positive. For mixed litter decomposition, the five significant correlations included two that were positive. In both cases, decomposition responded positively to the presence of iron and lead. Comparing decomposition rates with the level of soil metal content, all five significant correlations with needle decomposition were positive; for mixed-litter decomposition, only one significant correlation was positive.

Integration of multifunctional goals into land use — the planning perspective

The planning perspective of multifunctionality cannot be seen separately from other perspectives related to land use (as discussed in different chapters in this book). These perspectives (e.g. financial incentives, fiscal stimuli and planning related laws) sometimes have greater impacts on landscape functions than formalized planning systems on different levels. Nevertheless, without planning on different levels, the integration of multifunctional goals into land use cannot be successful.

Some Aspects of Multifunctional Landscape Character in the Interdisciplinary Environmental Study

The interdisciplinary character of landscape study stands behind the numerous concepts regarding the proper object of research which are issuing from the multifunctionality of the landscape. The following text presents some aspects of essence and character of multifunctional landscape and some ideas on the relationships between landscape study and other sciences, as seen from a geographer’s point of view. The presented reasoning confirms the complexity of the nature of landscape, but also emphasises the role of landscape study, as the interdisciplinary domain of knowledge in the cognition of this nature. Simultaneously, the demonstrated connections between the geographical, biological, social and humanistic sciences and landscape research, give us the right of stating that landscape ecology constitutes a sui generis bridge between many domains of knowledge.

Współczesne kierunki badań krajobrazowych w kontekście wdrażania Europejskiej Konwencji Krajobrazowej Contemporary directions of landscape study in the context of the implementation of the European Landscape Convention

The aim of the paper is to present and assess the research on landscape ongoing in Poland, and to indicatie possible uses of existing experience in the process by which the European Landscape Convention gains implementation. The authors discuss here basic definitions, and selected examples of research in the field of landscape geography carried out in Poland. They show that the achievements of Polish geographers and landscape ecologists in identifying, analysing and assessing landscapes represents the common scientific tradition of the central part of Europe, considered one of the most comprehensively pursued anywhere in the world. This achievement should therefore constitute the basis for work on a comprehensive methodology by which to identify, delimit and assign value to landscape units, for the purposes of implementation of the European Landscape Convention in Poland. The latter suggestion at this stage reflects the fact that relevant work first arose as long ago as in the 19th century, out of studies in nature and general geography based on field observations and comparative studies, there has never been substantial implementation into practice, nor any wider popularisation in Poland. It further reflects the fact that, notwithstanding the number of years that have passed since the last more wide-ranging regionalisation and typological studies, the theoretical and main methodological basis underpinning the work has retained its value. Clearly ongoing changes in research tools and methodologies necessitate fresh thought and new solutions, but this should not happen through any abandonment of existing bases. There are specialists in the wider field of landscape who trained for decades at Polish academic centers. Their curriculum includes mapping of the landscape, at a detailed and review level, with a view to potential being evaluated, current means of use documented, recommendations made as regards future use, and so on.The new formal and legal situation relating to the requirement that the European Landscape Convention be implemented denotes far-greater involvement of well-trained specialists, both theoreticians and practitioners (dealing with all aspects of the landscape), when it comes to conceptual work on the development of a comprehensive methodology whereby landscape units may be identified, delimited and assigned value. Infuture, they will be bound, not only to participate in, but also to manage, detailed work at the regional level, within landscape audits as recognised by law.

Influence of Climate Change on Environmental Hazards and Human Well-Being in the Urban Areas—Warsaw Case Study Versus General Problems

During relatively rapid changes of climate, urbanised areas are particularly vulnerable to increasing frequency of heatwaves and intensification of torrential rainfalls. Such areas are characterised by the high density of population, specific spatial structure, with a large share of built-up areas and decreasing share of biologically active compounds. This results in an enlargement of the areas under the impact of urban heat island, which as a consequence of a synergy effect with ageing residents triggers the lowering of the quality of human life and even increased mortality risk in terms of inflow of hot air waves. The aim of this presentation is to show on the example of Warsaw, how changes in land use structure during the next years may worsen the quality of life of residents, increase the risk of floods or increase the risk of elderly people and children mortality due to heatwaves. Moreover, the demographic standing of Polish cities will be shown in terms of the structure of inhabitants’ age. Particular attention will be driven to the issues of changes in land cover, the functioning of ecological corridors and wedges aerating the city, with urban sprawl as a result of strong sub-urbanisation processes. Negative consequences of climate changes will be presented along with proposals of adaptations of the environmental system to their courses.

The delimitation of areas of strategic intervention in Poland: A methodological trial and its results

Abstract This main aim of this study is the examination and discussion of a conceptual and theoretical model for Poland’s areas of strategic intervention. Following a review of the current strategic documents at national and regional levels, it is possible to propose two basic categories of areas of strategic intervention: 1) growth areas (territories with natural or socioeconomic properties particularly favourable for development); and 2)problem areas (territories with unfavourable features and socioeconomic and/or natural processes). Among the problem areas it is possible to distinguish three main types: the social, the economic and the natural, albeit with the possibility of applying an even more detailed typology that allows for combinations of these types. Scientific findings can be combined with the results of empirical research to encourage the proposal of a new method of delimiting areas of strategic intervention. The identification of growth areas is primarily based on expert knowledge, which is clearly qualitative. In turn, the processes by which problem areas are delimited is quantitative in nature, reflecting analyses of selected diagnostic indicators that take social, economic and natural issues into account. The results which were obtained relate to the concept of endogenous development, as well as the assumptions under pinning policies of territorial cohesion.

Comparing quartz silt surface microstructures in two sandy soils in young-glacial landscape of northern Poland

Abstract The studies on quartz silt surface microstructures using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were performed in Brunic Arenosol and Gleyic Ortsteinic Podzol, as major components of soil cover of the lower supra-flood terrace of the Słupia River, N Poland. Brunic Arenosols have developed from coarse- and medium-grained fluvioglacial sands, whereas Podzols from aeolian sands of mid-Holocene age, which in some places were covered with younger aeolian deposits. A group of at least 100 randomly selected grains from each soil horizon have been analyzed. The grains were classified into one of the following groups: fresh (type A), grains with the features of chemical weathering (type B), grains coated with scaly-grain incrustations (type C), grains coated with bulbous incrustations (type D), and cracked grains (type E). Parent materials of the investigated soils did not differ significantly in terms of contribution of grain types and type C predominated in both soils. Significant differences were noted in soil solums. Grains covered by scaly-grained incrustations predominated in Brunic Arenosol, which constituted 62–89%. In the profile of Gleyic Ortsteinic Podzol grains type B predominated in AE and E horizons (65–82%), whereas in the remaining horizons grains type C (54–77%).

Challenges to Landscape Planning and Protection in Poland

In the present-day world the proper management of landscape and its protection is one of the major challenges of civilization. The aim of this paper is to present the legal and procedural contexts determining landscape planning and protection in Poland and to show the challenges facing us in conjunction with these determinants. Particular attention will be given to those determinants of fundamental importance for the functioning of a landscape protection system in terms of both formulating sector policies and structuring Polish space. The polyfunctionality of landscape will also be emphasized as will the interdisciplinary nature of landscape research, which underlies many legislative and utilitarian difficulties in the structuring and protection of the landscape.