Beskid Mountains Research Articles

Pasture landscape durability in the Beskid Mountains (Western Carpathians, Poland)

Pasture landscape durability in the Beskid Mountains (Western Carpathians, Poland)

Aphid species (Hemiptera: Aphididae) new in the fauna of the Eastern Beskid Mountains (southern Poland)

Fifteen aphid species were found in the Eastern Beskid Mountains for the first time during the short faunistic study. Currently, 119 aphid species are recorded from this region, which may still constitute only a fraction of the fauna of neighboring regions and testify to an insufficient faunistic study on aphids.

Historical and contemporary forest ecosystem changes in the Beskid Mountains (southern Poland) between 1848 and 2014

Landscape changes in the Carpathians are related to centuries of human activity, which can be regarded as the key component of global change. Changes in mountainous regions are mainly caused by agriculture, urbanization, forest cutting for production and land abandonment. This paper aimed to assess the impact of natural and historical-cultural factors on forest ecosystem transformations occurred in the period 1848-2014 in two small areas (about 45 km2) on the Beskid Mountains (southern Poland). The comparison of historical and current maps, along with the application of GIS and field verification, allowed a full interpretation of changes in land use in the studied areas. A decrease of 58.0% in non-forest areas was observed in the considered period, while the forested area grew systematically by 28.3% and the forest-field boundary lowered in altitude. Current forest ecosystems are distributed as a mosaic and mainly consist of Dentario glandulosae-Fagetum, Luzulo nemorosae-Fagetum, Abieti-Piceetum montanum, with logged sites taking up large areas. Forest ecosystems include valuable semi-natural meadows such as Gladiolo-Agrostietum, Hieracio-Nardetum, Arrhenatheretum medioeuropaeum, Cirsietum rivularis or Juncetum effusi, whose extension is reducing and fragmentation increasing due to the recolonization of forest tree species after abandonment. We concluded that trends in land use in the Carpathians were mainly determined by non-environmental factors related to the development of farming-pasturing and forest management. The applied approach could be extended to other regions in the Carpathians which were subject to analogous historical-cultural influences. Moreover, our results allow for a comparison with other regions which are subject to similar impacts of natural processes, but to different impact of historical and cultural processes.

Seasonal changes of the Hazel Grouse Tetrastes bonasia habitat requirements in managed mountain forests (Western Carpathians)

We studied the differences between spring and winter sites of Hazel Grouse Tetrastes bonasia in a managed, temperate forest in the Beskid Mountains (Western Carpathians, Poland). The study of seasonal requirements of this species in this type of habitat was innovatory. Spring territories must provide birds with appropriate conditions for breeding and winter ones must give good habitat for wintering. The environmental variables of spring and winter sites were collected in three layers in a 100 m radius from the place of recording of the Hazel Grouse: canopy, understory and undergrowth. According to our study, the proportion of deciduous trees was greater in spring territories in comparison to winter territories in all studied layers. Conversely, greater species richness in the undergrowth and understory in spring sites of Hazel Grouse was found in comparison to winter sites. Moreover, a greater proportion of birch, poplar, willow, wild cherry and bird cherry were found in the spring sites of Hazel Grouse in comparison to winter sites. Generalized Linear Model models showed that the occurrence of overgrown clearings, clearfellings with deadwood and higher richness of grass and herbs and their cover in the forest were important habitat factors for Hazel Grouse in both spring and winter sites. Sites of Hazel Grouse were strongly affected by the proportions of beech, sycamore, fir, spruce and larch in the canopy layer in both seasons. Moreover, a greater proportion of tree species producing nuts, drupes or winged seeds was important in both spring and winter sites. Bush cover was important for winter sites of the Hazel Grouse. Food resources, mainly in winter sites are important factors for habitat selection. Summarizing, we found habitat differences between spring territory and winter sites of Hazel Grouse. In both seasons, higher habitat heterogeneity was an important factor for occurrence of this species.

Ways to use silver birch Betula pendula Roth regeneration in sites considered for stand conversion due to decline of Norway spruce Picea abies (L.) H. Karst. in the Silesian Beskid Mountains

Abstract One of the tree species appearing after a decline of Norway spruce Picea abies (L.) H. Karst. in the Silesian Beskid Mountains is Silver Birch Betula pendula Roth. Therefore our study was aimed at evaluating this birch regeneration and the dynamics of changes resulting from experimental cutting. Measurements and inventories of trees were conducted on research plots located in a ten-year old birch regeneration site with either no cutting, partial cutting (50%) or clear cutting (100%) of birch. We observed an introduction of biocenotic species (rowan, willow, aspen) as well as the target species (spruce, fir, beech) under the birch canopy. Fir and beech were also planted, because of their slow natural regeneration. The clear cut treatment caused a great number of sprouts growing from birch stumps, reaching a height of about 2 m over 3 years, resulting in competition with the regeneration of other species. Partial cutting did not cause such a drastic amount of sprouting. Furthermore, we found that only the spruce height increment is significantly less under a birch canopy compared to open space. The obtained results indicate a necessity to adjust the density and species composition of regenerating tree species under a birch canopy, avoiding complete removal of the first generation birch cover and the need to moderately thin out birch.

Light Use Efficiency of Aboveground Biomass Production of Norway Spruce Stands

Light use efficiency (LUE or photosynthetically active radiation use efficiency) in production of young spruce stands aboveground biomass was determined at the study sites Rájec (the Drahanská vrchovina Highland) and Bílý Kříž (the Moravian‑Silesian Beskids Mountains) in 2014 and 2015. The LUE value obtained for the investigated spruce stands were in the range of 0.45 – 0.65 g DW MJ–1. The different LUE values were determined for highland and mountain spruce stand. The differences were caused by growth and climatic conditions and by the amount of assimilatory apparatus (LAI).

Projected changes in winter climate in Beskids Mountains during 21st century

We have investigated the future changes of climate conditions during the winter season in the Beskids Mountains. During the 21st century mean winter temperature will increase by 2.0–6.3 °C and winter precipitation will increase by 12.5 – to 17.5 % - depending on the scenario. Higher winter temperatures will be reflected in the reduced number of frost days, the number of which may drop by 40 % according to the RCP8.5 scenario. Whilst our study expects general increase in precipitation, higher temperatures will lead to an increased evapotranspiration and also change in the form of precipitation from solid (snow, rime) to liquid (rain, drizzling). Such trends could further propel the unfavorable changes in the water balance budget.

Wind characteristics of CzeCOS’s ecosystem station Bílý Kříž

Eddy-covariance is a direct and accurate method to measure exchanges of greenhouse gases and energy between ecosystems and the atmosphere under good turbulent mixing conditions. Calm conditions can affect the accuracy of the eddy-covariance measurements by potential gas buildup below the measurement height. This study characterizes wind patterns and calm periods at Bílý Kříž Ecosystem Research Station, using four-year (2010-2013) wind data measured on an eddy-covariance tower at the site, located in Beskids Mountains, Czech Republic. The site is covered by young, dense Norway spruce forest on a 12.5° slope facing South. The results show that the prevailing wind direction was from S to SW direction (55 % frequency of occurrence), and to a much lesser extent from N, NE and NW but including the strongest winds above 12 m s-1, possibly during gale or storm events. Calm condition (u < 1 m s-1) accounted for 34 % of year time. Summer and Spring were the calmest seasons. Occurrence frequencies of calm conditions for the six-month periods from May to October (plant growing season) were higher than those for the remaining parts of the year (on average 39 % vs 28 % respectively). One should be aware of the calm periods in May-October when processing eddy-covariance data, since it is the time period of most contribution of forest ecosystem as a sink of CO2.

Economic value of ecosystem services in Protected Landscape Areas in the Czech Republic

This study aims to explore spatially explicit economic values of ecosystem services provided by ecosystems and habitats in 25 Protected Landscape Areas (PLAs) in the Czech Republic, with a more detailed overview of three selected PLAs (Beskids Mountains, Český les Mountains and Odra River Basin). In the methodology, combination of the Consolidated Layer of Ecosystems of the Czech Republic (CLES) and the EKOSERV database allowed us to utilize the ecosystem and economic valuation data in a specific geographic context using a GIS-based approach. The total value of ecosystem services in all 25 PLAs reached € 51 billion/year, with the surface area significantly influencing the total average value of a particular PLA. When transformed to value per unit area, the values varied from €1.2 to €6.5 million/km2/year. The results suggest a dominant role of forest ecosystems in the composition of the economic value provided by ecosystem services in the PLAs. Economic valuation of benefits provided by protected areas can help to realize the social importance of these sites and to support policy and decision-making processes.

Sezonowość odpływu z wybranych zlewni karpackich = Seasonality of outflow in selected Carpathian catchments

This article details an analysis of seasonality of outflow carried out for 12 Carpathian catchments. The latter were selected in such a way as to fully represent various conditions of outflow formation in the Carpathian Mountains, i.e. the region of Poland in which hydrological processes are most dynamic. Daily series of discharges for the years 1951-2010 provided the basis for the research, albeit with the series lengths used in analyses of particular rivers varying in length from 40 to 60 years. In the case of each water-gauge section selected, calculations were made for the seasonality index (IS), time of concentration coeffi cient (WPK), outflow concentration index (GMO) and half-outflow term index (TPO). Multiannual variability and mutual correlation coefficients for the above parameters were also calculated, with these characteristics together describing various aspects to the seasonality of river outflow. The results of the research conducted show that values for the mean seasonality indexes characterising the outflow in Carpathian catchments are slightly lower than those calculated for amounts of precipitation. In addition, their spatial differentiation is relatively weak, while their variability over time is distinctly high. The mean time of concentration coefficient (WPK) for the Carpathian catchments does differ markedly from place to place, occurring between 4th Apri l and 3rd June. However, in the cases of the rivers draining the western part of the Beskid Mountains and Tatras, the outflow concentration occurs relatively late (after 5th May), while it is relatively early (before 5th May) in the cases of the rivers in the eastern part of the Beskids. The long-term variability of WPK in the Carpathian Mountains is less than half as great as that characterising the seasonality index (25.2% to 55.7% on average), though no significant trends could be noted for long-term series of those characteristics. Timing related to Oliver’s concentration coefficient (GMO) reveals aspects of seasonality similar to those presented by Markham’s seasonality index (IS). Due to this fact it would be more appropriate to name it an “outflow seasonality index” rather than an “outflow concentration index”. Mean multiannual half-outflow terms (TPOśr) in the Carpathian catchments are strongly diversified and appear between 15th April and 21st May. Low TPOśr was noted in rivers of a nival-pluvial and nival well-shaped regime. Low TPOśr was found with the pluvial-nival regime. The spatial differentiation to the multiannual variability of TPOśr in the Carpathian Mountains is limited. It is most limited in the case of rivers in the Tatra Mountains. Statistical analyses of multiannual series for all the seasonality parameters examined show that, in the Carpathian area, the seasonal structure to the outflow is relatively stable over the long term (given a lack of significant trends), with year-to-year fluctuations and changes being random in nature. The relative mean mass diagram curve for Carpathian catchments has two points of inflection confirming the nival-pluvial or pluvial-nival regimes. The regional curve offers a very effective presentation of the seasonal distribution of outflow in the Carpathian Mountains.

Rosalia longicorn Rosalia alpina (LINNAEUS, 1758) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) as a host of the entomopathogenic fungus Cordyceps bassiana LI, LI, HUANG & FAN, 2001 (Ascomycota: Hypocreales)

AbstractThe paper describes, for the first time, the occurrence of the entomopathogenic fungus Cordyceps bassiana (anamorph: Beauveria bassiana) on the imago of the endangered beetle Rosalia longicorn Rosalia alpina from the Low Beskid Mountains (the Carpathians, SE Poland). Furthermore, an isolate of the saprotrophic fungus Hypoxylon fragiforme was obtained as a result of laboratory tests on R. alpina specimens. Relationships between the identified fungi and R. alpina are discussed.

Variation in growth of Norway spruce in the IUFRO 1972 provenance experimental series

Abstract Provenance experiments traditionally provide information on genetic variation within tree species in adaptation ability and other traits important for commercial forestry. In this study we investigated variation in growth among 20 populations of Nor­way spruce (Picea abies (L.) H. Karst) at four common-garden sites of the IUFRO 1972 provenance experimental series at the age close to half of rotation. Because stand density varied among sites, we analyzed stand density-adjusted basal area (BA) and quadratic mean diameter (Dq). The examined prove­nances varied significantly in both analyzed traits. We identi­fied provenances that performed consistently better or worse than average across all four sites. Among the well-growing and possibly adaptive seed sources were those from the uplands of the eastern and central Poland, Sudety Mts, and from the regi­on of Istebna in Beskid Mts. Performance of the other populati­ons from Beskid Mountains was average to poor, and all high-altitude populations were poor-growing. The results of this study help to verify the knowledge of genetic variation pattern among Norway spruce populations in Poland, and to guide management decisions regarding spruce planting material.

The first record of the yew gall midge Taxomyia taxi (Inchbald, 1861) (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) in the Polish Carpathians, southern Poland

Abstract The yew gall midge Taxomyia taxi has been found for the first time in the Polish Carpathians. The site lies in the “Yews in Mogilno” (“Cisy w Mogilnie”) nature reserve in the western part of the Beskid Niski (Low Beskid) Mountains. The species occurs over an area of ca. 37 ha, mostly in the northern, lowest-lying parts of the reserve. 19.4% of the inspected specimens of the European yew were found to exhibit signs of feeding by gall midges. Most of the infested yews (86.7%) were barren, 8.2% were females and 5.1% males. The yew gall midges displayed no clear preferences in relation to the health status of the host plants, although yews with a healthier photosynthetic apparatus were selected more often.

New insights on the phylogeny and biology of the fungal ant pathogen Aegeritella

This paper evaluates the phylogenetic position of the ectoparasitic fungus Aegeritella tuberculata Bałazy & Wiśniewski, and broadly discusses its presence on ants in southern Poland. Field work was conducted in the Silesian Beskid Mountains in 2011–2013. The fungus was found on four species of ants: Lasius niger L., Lasius brunneus Latr., Formica lemani Bondr. and Formica fusca L. The first three species have not been noted previously in the literature as hosts of Aegeritella fungi. The infection rate ranged from 1% for Formica lemani to 21% for L. brunneus. Molecular analysis based on ITS and SSU rDNA sequences revealed close relationships between Aegeritella and Trichosporon isolates. We conclude that the genus Aegeritella-inceratae sedis until now, should be placed within the fungal group Basidiomycota, Tremellomycetes, Tremellomycetidae, Tremellales, Trichosporonaceae.

New data on the occurrence of longhorn beetles (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) in the Eastern Beskid Mountains (Poland)

New data on the occurrence of the 70 species of longhorn beetles from the area of the Eastern Beskid Mountains including the Low Beskids (56 species) are presented. The state of knowledge about Cerambycidae of the Eastern Beskid Mountains, Low Beskids, Western Beskid Mountains and Bieszczady Mountains is summarised. New localities of some rarely seen species as: Pachyta quadrimaculata (Linnaeus 1758), Stenocorus meridianus (Linnaeus, 1758), Evodinus clathratus (Fabricius, 1793), Anoplodera rufipes (Schaller, 1783), A. sexguttata (Fabricius, 1775), Ropalopus macropus (Germar, 1824), Pogonocherus hispidus (Linnaeus, 1758), Phytoecia cylindrica (Linnaeus 1758) and Ph. nigricornis (Fabricius 1782) are given. Four species, P. quadrimaculata, Leptura annularis Fabricius, 1801, Pyrrhidium sanguineum (Linnaeus, 1758) and Pogonocherus fasciculatus (DeGeer, 1775), are recorded for the first time from the area of the Low Beskids

WYKORZYSTANIE OKRZEMEK (BACILLARIOPHYTA) DO OCENY JAKOŚCI WÓD RZEKI BIAŁEJ TARNOWSKIEJ

The Biala Tarnowska River is a right-bank tributary of Dunajec. It flows from the Low Beskid Mountains, flowing on the border of Ciezkowickie and Roznowskie foothills and then flows into the Dunajec on the territory of Vistula Lowland (Nizina Nadwiślanska). The aim of this work was to investigate the diatoms diversity at the individual sites and attempt to evaluate pollution of the river with the use diatoms as water quality indicators. The waters of Biala Tarnowska River were characterized by alkaline or circumneutral pH. Values of nitrates concentration indicated II water quality class, only at the last site (5) corresponded to the standards for the I class. At the studied sites located along river course 205 diatom taxa were identified. The riches in species were genera: Nitzschia (29), Navicula (21) and Gomphonema (15). The most popular dominant was Achnanthidium pyrenaicum (Hust.) Kobayasi. Very numerous communities were created by Navicula lanceolata (Agardh) Kutz, at the lower current of river, on two last sites. In order to determine the ecological status of Biala Tarnowska River the analysis of the diatom assemblages structure was performed. The results of the analysis were shown by the selected diatomaceous indices. According to IPS index Biala Tarnowska has a good ecological status (II class) at the most of study sites. Values of TDI index were the worst and indicated poor and bad water quality (IV and V class) especially in middle and lower current.

Effect of deforestation on stream and spring water chemistry in Malinowski and Czyrna catchments in Beskid Âlàski Mts.

Abstract Dieback of Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) H. Karst) which has been observed in the Western Carpathians is of interest to scientists from many disciplines.. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of deforestation on water chemical composition in mountainous streams and springs. The research was carried out in 2004 and 2013 in two catchments of the Skrzyczne massif in the Silesian Beskid Mountains. Field studies included measurements of water pH and conductivity. Under laboratory conditions, there were determined concentrations: Na+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, NH4 +, Cl-, NO3 -, SO4 2 in each water sample. The results of physical and chemical analyses of water collected within the Malinowski catchment (covered mainly with spruce stands) and on northern slopes of the Skrzyczne massif - within the Czyrna catchment (covered mainly with beech stands), showed higher contents of base cations when compared to deforested areas. The highest concentrations of the ions analysed were recorded within the Czyrna catchment. Such phenomena should be taken into consideration during forest reconstruction after spruce dieback.

Selected amino acids uptake by microorganisms in soil of differently managed mountain meadows

This work was aimed at determination of the effect of 13 years abandonment of previously long-term mown mountain meadows on uptake of L-glutamic acid (14CO2H[14CH2]2[NH2]14CO2H) and L-alanine (14CH314CH[NH2]14CO2H) by microbial community of Ap horizon (3–13 cm). The study plots has been located near to the experimental stand “Bílý Kříž“ which is located in the Moravian-Silesian Beskids Mountains (N 49°30’17”, E 18°32’28”), on a slope with an elevation of 825–860 m a. s. l. and southeast orientation, and soil classified as an Oxyaquic Hapludalf. The study was performed to test method for measurement of 14C-labelled amino acids uptake by soil microbial community and to increase knowledge on particular processes of N-transformation in soil of these ecosystems. The results obtained in this work showed that 13 years abandonment of mountain meadow did not significantly (P > 0.05) influence rate of glutamic acid or alanine uptake by soil microbial community. Further research including determination of amino acids use by soil microbial biomass with expression of their partitioning between production of new microbial biomass and energy metabolism is necessary.

Temporal shifts of climate–growth relationships of Norway spruce as an indicator of health decline in the Beskids, Slovakia

Norway spruce (Picea abies) is one of the most widespread and economically valuable tree species in Europe, however recently it has been experiencing a large-scale decline. In the western Carpathians, particularly forests in the Beskids Mountains have recorded the most extensive health decline ever documented. Climate change during the last several decades has had a significant impact on the functioning of these forest ecosystems. To contribute to the debate on the causes of the spruce decline we conducted a dendroecological study in the Beskids Mountains. A large sample of ring-width series were collected along a transect spanning the large range of ecological conditions in the region. Non-metric multidimensional scaling was used to identify structural similarities between spruce trees in terms of their response to climate variation and to identify the most relevant site- and stand-related variables. Cluster analysis was applied to identify relevant groups of trees. Step-wise linear regression was used to build climate–growth models for chronologies in the clusters. A shifting correlation in 20-year moving segments was used to identify temporal change in spruce climate–growth relationships. Results show that needle loss significantly changed the character of the response when trees with different intensity of defoliation, growing at the same altitude, responded oppositely to the mean summer temperature. In addition, we observe shifts in the climate–growth relationships of spruce trees to spring and summer temperatures when the relationship of trees without or with low defoliation started to decline between 1990 and 1998. This deterioration indicates three hypotheses: (i) climate change; (ii) trees that were considered healthy when observed might have started to decline, and this will be visually detectable in the near future; and (iii) rapid reduction of emissions in interaction with the recent climate change.

Coarse Bed Sediments in a Headwater Channel as Indicators of Fluvial Processes and Slope-Channel Coupling: A Case Study from the Carpathian Mountains (Czech Republic)

Abstract The character of riverbed sediments usually reflects fluvial processes and the dynamics of sediment transport in fluvial systems. The approach in this study was based on the measurement of the largest boulders located within a bankfull channel, and on the observation of changes in their size in the longitudinal profile of a headwater stream in the Moravian-Silesian Beskids Mountains. The resulting trends in a particle-size index reflect the character of sediment delivery into channel segments and the recent channel-forming processes. The largest boulders were observed in channel sections with a strong interaction of slope and fluvial processes, and a slight coarsening of sediments was recorded in the incised downstream sections of the longitudinal stream profile. In contrast, the refining of bed sediments was typical of the transitional zone between slope-channel coupled reaches and an alluvial cone characterised by a tendency to material aggradation.