Beskid Mountains Research Articles

Weed contamination of cereal and root crops in the Beskidy Mountains

In the years 1977-1980 phytosociological investigations were performed on field cultures in the Wyspowy Beskid, Sądecki Beskid, Żywiecki Beskid and Gorce mountains. In the collected material (481 phytosociological records) not only presence and degree of contamination with weeds, but also coefficients of coverage were calculated. Moreover weed species were classified to ecological-sociological groups (H i l b i g et al., 1962). The results indicate that both cereals and their roots were contaminated in the whole examined area mostly by weeds belonging to the following ecological-sociological groups: <i>Sinapis arvensis, Tripleurospermum inodorum </i>and <i>Stachys palustris</i>. Abundant was also in all localities <i>Stellaria media</i> and <i>Agropyron repens</i>.

Fatty acid profile of the milk of cows reared in the mountain region of Poland

An appropriate composition of milk fatty acids (FA) improves the nutritional value of milk and milk products, and improves milk processing. Polish dairy farms in the mountainous region are rather small, animal nutrition there is based on locally produced forages and this, together with the transitional climate zone brings about seasonal changes in FA composition of milk. The aim of the study was to evaluate the composition of FA in bovine milk fat in relation to fat intake in forages and their FA profiles. The study involved 5 herds reared in low-input mountain farms located at an altitude of 670-780 m above sea level (Beskid Mountains). The cows were fed forages produced locally. FAs in forages and milk samples were subjected to gas chromatography. Highest fat intake observed in grazing season (4·2-4·7%) and high amounts of polyunsaturated FA in forages from that period (51·8-64·1 g/100 g FA) resulted in a markedly high content of valuable FAs: t-11 C18:1 (3·22 g/100 g FA), c-9, t-11 C18:2 (CLA; 1·20 g/100 g FA) in milk. Lower fat intake of forages containing high amount of SFA (32·42-38·83 g/100 g FA) in the indoor period resulted in changes in milk composition. The content of total short-chain saturated FA (SCFA) was highest in winter and early spring samples (14·10 and 13·44 g/100 g FA, respectively), like the amounts of myristic C14:0 and palmitic C16:0 acids (11·80 and 37·92 g/100 g FA). Total odd- and branched-chain fatty acids (OBCFA; 6·58 g/100 g FA) content was highest at the beginning of the grazing period. Fresh grass consumed by cows promoted the activity of Δ(9)-desaturase in mammary gland as evidenced by higher C14:1 : C14:0 (0·054) and C16:1 : C16:0 (0·026) ratios in grazing than in the indoor periods.

The effect of deforestation on spring water chemistry on Skrzyczne (Silesian Beskid Mountains, Poland)

The Norway spruce dieback which occurred in the Western Carpathians is of interest to scientists in many fields. The goal of this research was to determine its effect on spring water chemistry. Due to environmental factors such as: high precipitation – up to 1,400 mm·year<sup>–1</sup> while the average for Poland is 600 mm·year<sup>–1</sup>; kind of bedrock (the area is built of Godula Sandstone) which causes shallow water circulation so that springs are considered as shallow supplied, it was expected that the plant cover changes might affect spring water chemistry. Such observations were partially confirmed by Astel et al. (2008), when differences between types of forest stands were found. Those results showed that the presence of mixed stands caused an increase in pH values and an increase in calcium and magnesium concentrations compared to the spring waters of Norway spruce monocultures growing on the same geological bedrock. Currently another point of view was a possibility to analyse what was before and after deforestation.<br />The research was carried out in 2004 and 2009 in two catchments on Skrzyczne in the Silesian Beskid Mountains. The research did not show any statistically significant differences in water chemistry with one exception: pH in June 2009 was higher (average of 0.61) in springs without plant cover change than in the second group. This might be an effect of more water flowing through the more acid soil horizons with higher concentration of humic acids on the deforested area, where large amounts of organic matter were left. It is possible that changes will be observed in the years to come so that further monitoring should take place.  

Annual dynamics of natural regeneration of silver birch (Betula pendula Roth) on a research plot located in the area of forest decline in the Silesian Beskid Mountains

The study shows a high dynamics approximately five-year-old natural regeneration of silver birch (Betula pendula Roth) growing on the research plot located in the fertile mountain habitat in the middle of the lower montane forest zone in the Silesian Beskid Mountains (Beskid Śląski) compared to its co-occurring species. The dynamics is expressed as a significant annual increment in height and diameter of birch trees, leading in consequence to the appearance of an older sapling phase for most regenerations of this species. This creates the possibility of early undercanopy planting of tree species adjusted to the site conditions, mainly silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) and European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.).

Multivariate exploration and classification applied to the chemical composition of spring waters in sanctuary forest areas

This study was carried out in the Zimnik and Czyrna catchments (ZC and CC, respectively) located in the Silesian Beskid Mountains of southern Poland. The data matrix with 870 observations of major inorganic elements (Cl−, , , , Na+, K+, Ca2+ and Mg2+), pH and electrolytic conductivity of spring water samples was carried out using linear discriminant analysis, unsupervised Kohonen self-organising maps (SOM) classification and non-parametric tests. A multivariate analysis of the chemical composition of spring water was performed, taking into consideration the geological condition of the catchment area, the prevailing forest stands, slopes facing and different water levels due to the seasonal variations. For the ZC the first discriminant function (DF) reflected general geological conditions (absence of ) while the second DF reflected the nutrient biocycle (presence of ). In case of the CC, the first DF had a complex meaning and reflected both geological conditions and the nutrient biocycles. Based on specific chemical profiles, low water level related samples and high water level related samples were distinguished from each other in both the ZC and CC, respectively. The SOM-based classification indicated that forest types and springs location were the major factors affecting the spring water chemical profile. In general, in case of springs located above 1000 m, limited weathering connected with the effect of the highly acid spruce monoculture on leaching causes a decreasing concentration of Na+, K+, Mg2+, Cl− and , while springs located between 700 and 800 m above sea level in mixed forests, showed the highest concentrations of K+ and Cl− and the lowest concentrations of , values of pH and conductivity.

PLS-EP algorithm to predict aluminum content in soils of Beskid Mountains region

The key objective of the paper was to describe quantitative relationships between the concentrations of different forms of aluminum and the values of the remaining parameters measured in soils of Beskid Mountains. The analyzed environmental data contain outlying objects, i.e. parameters’ values resulting from measurements errors, faults in data acquisition or drastic changes in the environment. As classical calibration methods are very sensitive to the presence of outliers in data sets, they result in the construction of improper models. In this paper the PLS-EP models, based on the evolution program, were constructed to overcome the problem of outlying objects in environmental data sets.

Shrews Soricidae of the Silesian Beskid Mountains

*Association for Nature “Wolf”, Twardorzeczka 229, 34-324 Lipowa, Poland; e-mail: rwm@autograf.pl **Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Miecznikowa 1, 02-096 Warszawa, Poland; e-mail: kornel.kurek@biol.uw.edu.pl, Abstract: During a study conducted in 2002–2008 the following 6 species of shrews were recorded in the Silesian Beskid Mts. (Western Carpathians, S Poland): Sorex araneus , S. minutus , S. alpinus , Neomys fodiens , N. anomalus and Crocidura suaveolens . The most widespread was S. araneus (63.4% of locations), followed by S. alpinus (13.4%), S. minutus (12.2%), N. fodiens (7.3%), N. anomalus (2.4%) and C. suaveolens (1.2%). Among dead shrews (n=47) S. araneus comprised 56.6%, S. minutus 21.7%, S. alpinus 10.9%, C. suaveolens 4.3%, N. anomalus 4.3% and N. fodiens 2.2%. During capture with live traps only S. araneus was recorded, constituting 2.5% of all small mammals captured. It was most frequently caught in deforested areas. Key words: shrew fauna, Carpathians, mountains

Allometric relationships for surface area and dry mass of young Norway spruce aboveground organs

Tree-level allometric functions for a precise predicting of stem, branch and leaf mass and surface area of three needle-shoot age classes were estimated from measurements of crown and stem dimensions in 34 harvested Norway spruce (<I>Picea abies</I> [L.] Karst.) trees. Trees were grown within a 16-years-old stand in the Beskids Mountains. The results showed stem parameters (stem diameter at breast height – dbh, stem volume – Vs and stem sapwood area – SA) to be highly correlated (<I>r</I> > 0.98) with stem mass/area and total aboveground mass of tree. Crown parameters – volume (Cv) and surface area (Ca) were the best predictors for individual branch and needle age-classes mass (<I>r</I> > 0.92) or area (<I>r</I> > 0.85), specifically for mass and surface areas of young branches and needles. dbh most correctly predicted the branch and leaf mass/surface area of older (> 2 years) shoots. The measured parameters: dbh, SA, tree height, crown length, Ca and Cv showed a high dependence on the tree position within the stand (<I>r</I> > –0.81). Thus, these parameters could be modified by silviculture.

The Effect of Stand Age on Throughfall Chemistry in Spruce Stands in the Potok Dupniański Catchment in the Silesian Beskid Mountains, Southern Poland

The chemical composition of throughfall depends on the age of the Norway spruce (Picea abies Karst) stands and season of the year. The pH of throughfall decreased and the amount of hydrogen ion in throughfall deposited to the soil increased with increasing age of spruce stands, especially in the winter season. Concentrations of K+, H+, SO42−, Mn2+, and NH4+ in throughfall were higher than bulk precipitation for the whole year and K+, H+, and Mn2+ concentrations were higher in throughfall in winter and the growing season. This indicates that these ions were washed out or washed from the surface of needles and/or the bark, and that NO3−, NH4+, Ca2+, Mg2+, Fe2+, and Zn2+ were absorbed in the canopy. The effect of high nitrogen deposition, above critical loads, and an increase in the amount of sulfur and in the sum of the strong acids (S-SO42− and N-NO3−) that reached the soil with throughfall may have implications for the vitality of spruce stands, especially in older age classes. The application of Principal Component Analysis (PCA) has led to identification of five factors responsible for the data structure (“mineral dust”, “acidic emissions”, “heavy metals-dust particles”, “ammonium [NH4+]”, and “H+”). They explain more than 60% of the total variance system. The strong positive correlation between stand age class and ionic concentrations in throughfall occurs for all year and the winter period for ions within the following categories: “acidic emissions”, SO42− + NO3−; “heavy metals-dust particles”, Fe2+ + Mn2+ + Zn2+; “mineral dust”, Na+ + K+ + Ca+2 + Mg2+; “NH4+”; and “H+”. The strength of the relationship decreases in the growing period, probably due to processes occurring in the canopy (adsorption, leaching, etc.).

Bats (Chiroptera) of the Silesian Beskid Mountains

During a study conducted in 2000-2007 the following 15 species of bats were recorded in the Silesian Beskid Mts. (Western Carpathians, S Poland): Rhinolophus hipposideros, Myotis myotis, M. bechsteinii, M. nattereri, M. emarginatus, M. mystacinus, M. brandtii, M. daubentonii, Vespertilio murinus, Eptesicus nilssonii, E. serotinus, Nyctalus leisleri, N. noctula, Plecotus auritus, and Barbastella barbastellus. The survey of the bat population was carried out by catching bats in nets, with the dominant species captured being M. daubentonii (37.0%), P. auritus (16.0%), M. mystacinus (11.4%), and M. nattereri (10.4%). Bats from the genera Eptesicus and Nyctalus were only caught on very rare occasions. The bat community found in caves consisted of seven species, mainly R. hipposideros (59.7%) and M. myotis (26.7%).

Disturbances in variation of the annual ring width of Norway spruce in the Polish Western Beskids Mountains

Changes in radial increment of Norway spruce in 25 stands more than 100 years old were analysed. Stands were growing on sites of different exposure situated at 450–1,200 m above sea level in the Polish Western Beskids Mountains. In the mid-1990s a considerable increase in annual ring width was observed. The greatest increase occurred in trees growing at the highest altitudes. This phenomenon occurred after a long period of increment decrease at the turn of the 1970s. After 1990 as the annual ring width was increasing, the variation and amplitude of ring width also increased. The cause of a long-term increase in radial increment was the improvement of thermal and pluvial conditions during late winter and early spring having a substantial effect on Norway spruce growth. In the 1990s the period of rapid changes in thermal and pluvial conditions of summer began. After moist and cold summers there were hot and dry summers. This resulted in increased variations and amplitude of the growth responses of Norway spruce and contributed to the weakening of trees above 100 years of age. The increasing break-up of Norway spruce stands growing in the lower mountain zone of the Polish Western Beskids Mountains, observed in recent years, is the final effect of this process.

„Ostatni obwarzanek Rzeczypospolitej“: Andrzej Stasiuk und die Ränder der polnischen Kultur

Andrzej Stasiuk's literature contributes to the process of decentralization Polish culture is experiencing after the final devaluation of its Romantic code. The hierarchic, diachronic and centripetal structure of this code is being substituted by a synchronic and centrifugal one which offers new creative ideas coming out of the periphery. Stasiuk's adequate strategy which reveals his autocreative talent becomes manifest in a topographical, an historical and an existential manner. By moving from Warsaw to the Beskid mountains and founding a publishing house there he underlines the aesthetic potential of the South-Eastern Polish outback and transforms the traditional pattern of Mitteleuropa; by releasing history from its national ideological load he ends up in a new way of non-political individual authentification; finally, by focusing on social and ethnic fringe groups including mockery of the literary establishment he denies the cliche of the Polish writer as a national prophet.

The Wieliczka Salt Mine

Just a few kilometres south of Cracow, in southern Poland, the scenery changes abruptly from the fluvial plain of the Vistula river, mantled by tills and loess deposits of the Pleistocene glaciation, to a boldly undulating topography representing the outermost thrust sheet of the Carpathian mountains. These northern foothills of the Carpathians are known in Poland as the Beskid Mountains. The Carpathian thrust front can be traced from Upper Silesia through Cracow and Przemysl in southern Poland as far as the Ukraine and Romania. At several places along the thrust front, salt deposits have been found, which have been mined over many centuries. One of the best known mines is located at Wieliczka, 15 km south‐east of Cracow. The mine is a popular tourist location, but it also illustrates some spectacular geological features.

Chemical Composition of Air, Soil and Vegetation in Forests of the Silesian Beskid Mountains, Poland

For the first time concentrations of trace nitrogenous (N) air pollutants, gaseous nitric acid (HNO3), nitrous acid (HNO2), ammonia (NH3), and fine particulate nitrate (NO3) and ammonium (NH4), were measured in the montane forests of southern Poland. Determinations were performed in two forest locations of the Silesian Beskid Mountains in the western range of the Carpathian Mountains, and in an industrial/urban location in Katowice, Poland. The measurements performed in summer 1997 with honeycomb denuder/filter pack systems showed elevated concentrations of the studied pollutants. These findings agree with the low carbon/nitrogen (C/N) ratios and the results of 15N analyses of soil and moss samples. High concentrations of N air pollutants help to explain previously determined high levels of NO3 and NH4 deposition to Norway spruce (Picea abies Karst.) canopies in these mountains. Ambient concentrations of sulfur dioxide (SO2) and ozone (O3) were elevated and potentially phytotoxic. Deficiencies of phosphorus (P) and magnesium (Mg) in Norway spruce foliage were found while concentrations of other nutrients were normal.

Evaluation of the Photointerpretation Method for Delimitation of Geocomplexes in the Beskid Mountains

Evaluation of the Photointerpretation Method for Delimitation of Geocomplexes in the Beskid Mountains