East-central Poland Research Articles

Weather Conditions Influence Egg Volume Repeatability in Clutches of the Red-backed Shrike Lanius collurio.

Artur Golawski and Cezary Mitrus (2018) Birds show considerable variation in egg size, both within and between clutches. There are many factors affecting egg dimensions including features of the birds themselves, territory quality, food abundance and weather conditions. One feature that varies in clutches is repeatability of egg dimensions within a clutch. We studied variation in egg size in clutches of the Red-backed Shrike Lanius collurio in east-central Poland and examined the effects of territory quality and weather conditions on egg size repeatability. Repeatability of egg size was low and ranged from 0.51 to 0.55. No significant differences in egg dimensions were found between clutch size classes (3 to 7 eggs, modal clutch size of 6). Weather conditions only influenced repeatability of egg volume. This parameter was affected by the year and one environmental factor - total rainfall immediately before egg laying. With increasing rainfall, the repeatability of egg volume decreased. Weather conditions can influence food availability and in this way also affect egg size. The Red- backed Shrike diet consists mainly of insects, the activity of which significantly decreased during rainfall. In such conditions, birds have to spend more energy to gain food, which could consequently lead to differences in egg size.

Autumn Irruptions of Red-Footed Falcons Falco vespertinus in East-Central Poland

The red-footed falcon Falco vespertinus inhabiting SE Europe is known for its irruptive migrations. Here we attempt to outline the causes (weather conditions, dietary composition etc.) of the irruptions in 2014–2016 in east-central Poland. From 2004 to 2016 a total of 2873 falcons were counted during 542 observation bouts. The speeds of E and SE winds in August and September differed significantly between irruption and non-irruption years and were 1.3 km/h faster in the irruption years. Other weather factors, such as the number of days with E and SE winds, air temperature and the global North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) and Scandinavia (SCAND) indexes, did not differ statistically between irruption and non-irruption years. The remains of 813 prey items were found in pellets collected in August and September, with a 93% dominance of insects; 84% of these were Coleoptera and Orthoptera. The irruptions of red-footed falcons in 2014–2016 may be also associated with increase in the number of breeding pairs in SE Europe.

Macroinvertebrate Occurrence in Chlidonias niger (Charadriiformes: Laridae) Nests in East-Central Poland

Macroinvertebrate Occurrence in <i>Chlidonias niger</i> (Charadriiformes: Laridae) Nests in East-Central Poland

Stratigraphical ranges of tegulated inoceramid bivalves in the type area of the Maastrichtian Stage (Belgium, the Netherlands)

Recently collected material, in fine- to medium-grained biocalcarenites and in coeval flint nodules, of the tegulated inoceramid taxa Spyridoceramus tegulatus (von Hagenow, 1842) and Tenuipteria argentea (Conrad, 1858) from various members of the Gulpen Formation and the overlying Maastricht Formation allows their stratigraphical ranges to be refined. It is concluded that the ranges correspond closely to those in east-central Poland (Vistula [Wisła] River valley region), where S. tegulatus occurs in the lower Maastrichtian and lower upper Maastrichtian (Endocostea typica, Trochoceramus radiosus and ‘Inoceramus’ ianjonaensis inoceramid zones, or Belemnella occidentalis and Belemnitella junior cephalopod zones). In contrast, Tenuipteria argentea appears to be confined to the overlying zone of Belemnella (Neobelemnella) kazimiroviensis (Skołozdrówna, 1932) and Belemnella (N.) skolozdrownae (Kongiel, 1962) and there is no overlap in the range of both species. In the type area of the Maastrichtian Stage, S. tegulatus ranges from the Vijlen Member (interval 3) of the Gulpen Formation to the top of the Nekum Member of the Maastricht Formation, while T. argentea is restricted to the upper Meerssen Member (subunits IVf-6 and IVf-7, with an acme in the former), straddling the Cretaceous-Paleogene (K/Pg) boundary.

Breeding performance of the White-winged Tern (Chlidonias leucopterus) in two habitat types at the edge of their distribution range

Peripheral populations that are expanding their distribution often colonise habitats that are different from the centre of their distribution range. These less optimal areas could have an advers effect on their breeding success. Consequently, the production of individuals in these populations must be high if the expansion is to continue. The White-winged Tern (Chlidonias leucopterus) is a good model for studying breeding parameters in peripheral populations, because in the last 20 years, a westward expansion of this tern has been reported in east-central Poland. We evaluate the breeding success of White-winged Tern's in thwo habitats. Data from the centre of this species' distribution range indicates that waterlogged sedges are the typical nesting habitat, whereas ox-bow lakes ar less frequently occupied. However, clutch size and the mean volyme of eggs in a clutch were not explained by the habitat type. The hatching success was significantly higher and the number of hatchlings per pair of breeding terns was also higher (close to significance) in waterlogged sedges than on ox-bow lakes. the causes of nest losses differed by habitat type too. While there was no predation on the nests situated on ox-bow lakes, 30.8% of clutch losses in waterlogged sedges were due to predation. In contrast, 50.0% of clutches on ox-bow lakes failed because the nests sank into the water, whereas in waterlogged sedges this was the cause of just 1.9% of all brood losses. Waterlogged sedges are the preferred habitat, offering safer nesting sites than ox-bow lakes for terns nesting at the edge of their distribution range in east-central Poland.

Wind differentiates reproduction in the non-expansive Black Tern Chlidonias niger and the expansive White-winged Tern Chlidonias leucopterus

Identifying the key factors governing the expansion of a species’ range is difficult because of the multiple interactions of environmental and biological factors. Among the biological factors are breeding parameters, which at the edge of a species’ range may indicate the traits involved in limiting species distribution. To evaluate whether the hatching success of two sympatric species of terns was dependent on weather parameters, a study was carried out in the valley of the River Bug in eastern Poland. During 2007–2010, nine colonies with 113 clutches of White-winged Tern (CHL, an expansive species, new to the region since 1997) and 92 clutches of Black Tern (CHN, a non-expansive species, nesting in stable numbers in this region for many years) were monitored. CHN arrived on average 9 days earlier than CHL. While CHN arrived in east-central Poland earlier and earlier during the 1998–2013 period, no such trend was recorded for CHL. The clutch initiation median in CHL was 8 days later than in CHN. The hatching success of CHL was statistically less than that of CHN (41.6 vs. 69.6%). A general discriminant analysis model showed that successful CHL clutches depended on the maximum daytime wind speed (strong winds can be disastrous for breeding terns), colony identity and clutch initiation date. In the case of CHN, none of these factors had a statistically significant influence on hatching success, although the clutch initiation date was very close to being significant. These results suggest that a species which nested in the same location for a long time in relation to ambient weather conditions has higher hatching success than the one which is in the process of expanding its distribution range.

Do weather factors lead to partial brood losses in the Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus?

Numerous studies have shown that local climatic conditions influence reproduction in birds. Although the effect of weather on brood success has often been tested, its influence on brood reduction has generally been overlooked. Such losses are common in raptors, because asynchronous hatching and the consequent age differences between nestlings govern their subsequent fate. The effects of weather and selected breeding parameters (hatching dates, numbers of nestlings in broods, pair density) on brood losses in the Marsh Harrier were studied in four fishpond complexes in east-central Poland in 2007–2009 and in 2011. Partial losses were dependent on the size of the brood and increased with the number of nestlings. The weather had no effect on brood reduction. Local weather conditions seem not to affect brood reduction, which would rather be related to other factors, such as for instance the number of hatched nestlings.

Brood sex ratio in expansive and non-expansive tern species in east-central Poland

Capsule Evidence from two tern species does not support the theory that species in expansion should bias their brood sex ratios towards the more dispersing sex.Aims Sex ratio theory predicts that when a species is in expansion, the sex ratio should be biased towards the more dispersing sex. We compared the sex ratio of nestlings in two closely related species of terns, characterized by different expansion rates: the White-winged Tern Chlidonias leucopterus (an expansive species) and the Black Tern Chlidonias niger (a non-expansive species).Methods The fieldwork was carried out in the valleys of the Rivers Bug and Narew in east-central Poland, from 2008 to 2014, during which time eight White-winged Tern colonies and ten Black Tern colonies were monitored. Nest inspections began around 15–20 May, when the first eggs were laid, and continued until mid-July, when the last nestlings were 7–20 days old.Results The nestling sex ratios were similar in both species, and the differences between number of females and males were not significant (White-winged Tern: 56.6% females vs. 43.4% males; Black Tern: 57.4% females vs. 42.6% males).Conclusions The lack of differences in nestling sex ratio in these species may be due to the cessation of the White-winged Tern's expansion in this area or because the sex ratio is characteristic of Sternidae species, as similar results have been reported for other tern species.

The assessment of drinking water quality using zero unitarization method

Abstract The work is an attempt to assess piped water quality in four counties located in east central Poland. Piped water was analysed for three successive years in each county. Water samples were tested for the following physical and chemical parameters: turbidity, colour, conductivity, taste, odour, pH, nitrates (III), nitrates (V), iron and manganese. They were compared with the current standard values. Preliminary data analysis included an analysis of maximum and minimum values of physical and chemical parameters, and it revealed that turbidity, colour, iron and manganese contents exceeded the permissible standards in all the counties. Percentages of parameters exceedances and mean values of the exceedances were used to rank the counties in terms of water quality. The ranking was obtained by means of multidimensional comparative analysis. It was demonstrated that best quality water was supplied by Węgrów County water supply system which was followed by Mińsk Mazowiecki County. The third rank was assigned to Łosice County and the poorest quality water was found to be supplied by Siedlce County water supply system.

Assessment of sodium and potassium levels in soil, feeds and hair of dairy cows in east-central Poland / Ocena poziomu sodu i potasu w glebie, paszach i sierści krów mlecznych z rejonu środkowo-wschodniej Polski

Abstract Studies were conducted on farm “A” located in east-central Poland to assess the mineral content in cows, taking into account individual links of the soil-feed-animal trophic chain. The mineral assessment included the determination of Na and K. Soil samples were taken once from the humus layer (that is at the depth of 0-15 cm) of pastures and arable fields in mid-growing season by means of a soil sampling stick. Feed samples were taken regularly when the feeds were included in rations (all year round), making sure the samples were representative. Sodium and potassium contents in soil and feeds were determined by the Atomic Absorption Spectrometry methods and in hair by the Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectrometry method. There were two dates for hair sample collection: I (10-14 days prior to calving) and II (after the first month of lactation). The results showed that Na and K concentrations were sufficient to meet animal needs. The sodium level in cow’s hair fell within the physiological range. Also potassium concentration complied with the referential standards (2000 mg·kg-1 d.m.) and approximated 2040 mg·kg-1 d.m.

A new hermit crab (Anomura, Paguroidea) from the upper Albian (Cretaceous) of Annopol, Poland.

A new diogenid paguroid, Paguristes liwinskii sp. nov., is described from upper Albian phosphorite-bearing deposits near Annopol, along the east bank of the River Vistula (Wisła), east-central Poland. This new species constitutes an additional example of Early-Mid-Cretaceous macrofaunal shift, from marine reefal limestone to siliciclastic facies, triggered by the worldwide radiation of planktonic organisms. The species described here is the earliest known member of the genus Paguristes, previously recorded from the upper Santonian/lower Campanian to the Recent.

Multi-trait Analysis of Agroclimate Variations During the Growing Season in East-Central Poland (1971-2005)

Abstract The work is based on meteorological data recorded by nine stations of the Institute of Meteorology and Water Management located in east-central Poland from 1971 to 2005. The region encompasses the North Podlasian Lowland and the South Podlasian Lowland. Average values of selected agroclimate indicators for the growing season were determined. Moreover, principal component analysis was conducted to indicate elements that exerted the greatest influence on the agroclimate. Also, cluster analysis was carried out to select stations with similar agroclimate. Ward method was used for clustering and the Euclidean distance was applied. Principal component analysis revealed that the agroclimate of east-central Poland was predominantly affected by climatic water balance, number of days of active plant growth, length of the farming period, and the average air temperature during the growing season (Apr-Sept). Based on the analysis, the region of east-central Poland was divided into two groups (areas) with different agroclimatic conditions. The first area comprized the following stations: Szepietowo and Białowieża located in the North Podlasian Lowland and Biała Podlaska situated in the northern part of the South Podlasian Lowland. This area was characterized by shorter farming periods and a lower average air temperature during the growing season. The other group included the remaining stations located in the western part of both the Lowlands which was warmer and where greater water deficits were recorded.

Morphological and Genetic Diversity ofIsopyrum thalictroidesL. (Ranunculaceae) Populations of Isolated Forest Fragments of Different Sizes in East Central Poland

ABSTRACT Isopyrum thalictroides is classified as an indicator species of the so-called ‘old-growth forests’. It occurs in shady deciduous forests and is a characteristic species of the order Fagetalia silvaticae. In many parts of Europe and Poland, it is classified in Red Lists of endangered species with different threat levels. Studies of an occurrence of I. thalictroides were carried out in the years 2000–2002 and 2010–2012 to examine changes in the abundance and morphological and genetic diversity of populations inhabiting small mid-field forest fragments (populations 2–4) and a compact forest (1 population), all located in east central Poland. Isopyrum thalictroides cover declined drastically at all isolated sites (from 83 to 93%) whereas the whole species diversity of these phytocenoses increased. By contrast, in the compact forest both, the area occupied by I. thalictroides population and the total community composition only slightly changed over time. When I. thalictroides plants sampled from all s...

The differences in habitat selection in two sympatric species of eastern Poland: the White-winged Tern (Chlidonias leucopterus) and the Black Tern (Chlidonias niger)

In the last 20 years, a westward expansion of the White-winged Tern (Chlidonias leucopterus) has been reported in Europe. Even though this species has become a regular breeder in some places, we lack basic information on the choice of breeding sites. The aim of the present work is to compare the habitat preferences of two closely-related species: the expansive White-winged Tern and the Black Tern (Chlidonias niger), which has been breeding in this part of Poland for a long time. The data were gathered in east-central Poland from late May to early July 2013. All potential tern nesting areas were searched over 40,000 km2, river valleys in particular. There were 41 colonies of White-winged Terns with a total number of 1,348 pairs and 55 colonies of Black Terns with 666 pairs. A Generalized Linear Model (GLZ) showed differences between both tern species in habitat parameters. However, only two predictors—area of open habitat (meadows, arable fields) and habitat type (ox-bow lakes vs. waterlogged sedge fields)—were significant. White-winged Terns located their colonies in waterlogged sedge fields three times more often than Black Terns did, while the latter nested three times more frequently on ox-bow lakes. There was also a statistically significant greater proportion of open habitats around the colonies of White-winged Terns than around those of Black Terns. The colonies of the two species were roughly the same size in all habitats. This study showed that habitat type was the basic factor governing the choice of nesting site by these two closely-related tern species.

ANALYSIS OF HYDROTHERMAL CONDITIONS AND THEIR IMPACT ON EARLY POTATO YIELDS

The work is based on data on monthly air temperatures, monthly sums of atmospheric precipitation and early potato yields in 2000–2013 obtained from seven COBORU (Research Centre for Cultivar Testing) stations situated in east-central Poland. Hydrothermal conditions during the growing season (April–July) of early potato were described by means of the Sielianinow’s coefficient. The relationships between potato yields and the Sielianinow’s hydrothermal coefficient of the growing season were examined using multiple regression equations generated by means of the step-wise regression procedure followed by polynomial regression procedure. The average Sielianinow’s coefficient values ranged from 1.43 in April to 1.66 in May during the early potato growing season in east-central Poland. The applied statistical methods revealed that the hydrothermal factors impacted on early potato yields, particularly in the second stage of potato growth and development.

THE EFFECT OF WINTER CATCH CROPS ON WEED INFESTATION IN SWEET CORN DEPENDING ON THE WEED CONTROL METHODS

An experiment was carried out in east-central Poland (52°06’ N, 22°55’ E) over 2008– 2011 to study the effect of winter catch crops on the weed infestation, number, and fresh matter of weeds in sweet corn (Zea mays L. var. saccharata). The following winter catch crops were grown: hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth.), white clover (Trifolium repens L.), winter rye (Secale cereale L.), Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum L.) and winter turnip rape (Brassica rapa var. typica Posp.). The catch crops were sown in early September and incorporated in early May. The effect of the catch crops was compared to the effect of FYM (30 t·ha-1) and control without organic manuring (NOM). Three methods of weed control were used: HW – hand weeding, twice during the growing period, GCM – the herbicide Guardian Complete Mix 664 SE, immediately after sowing of corn seeds, Z+T – a mixture of the herbicides Zeagran 340 SE and Titus 25 WG applied at the 3–4-leaf stage of sweet corn growth. Rye and turnip rape catch crops had least weeds in their fresh matter. Sweet corn following winter catch crops was less infested by weeds than corn following farmyard manure and nonmanured corn. Least weeds and their lowest weight were found after SC, BRT and VV. LM and BRT reduced weed species numbers compared with FYM and NOM. The greatest weed species diversity, determined at the corn flowering stage, was determined after SC and FYM. The number and weight of weeds were significantly lower when chemically controlled compared with hand weeding. The best results were observed after a post-emergent application of the mixture Z+T. The weed species diversity on Z+T-treated plots was clearly lower compared with GCM and HW.

CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF EDIBLE POTATO TUBERS IN RETAIL OUTLETS IN EAST-CENTRAL POLAND

The work was an attempt to determine and describe certain quality characteristics of edible potato on sale in Siedlce and Miedzyrzec Podlaski. Potato tubers for examination were purchased in 3 kinds of retail outlets (ten shops of each kind) in east-central Poland. A total of 90 samples were collected to determine tuber size, protein and vitamin C content, reducing sugars and sucrose content. Potatoes purchased in all kinds of outlets met the standards set for tuber size. Potatoes bought in supermarkets had a better chemical composition than tubers purchased in groceries or fruit and vegetable shops. All the potato tubers were a good staple.

Breeding biology of the Montagu’s Harrier (Circus pygargus) in east-central Poland and implications for its conservation

In 2005–2011 active conservation and study on the population of the Montagu’s Harrier was conducted in the farmland areas of east-central Poland. The population was estimated at 240–270 breeding pairs and its size was stable. The mean clutch size was estimated at 3.71 eggs per breeding pair. The number of fledglings was 1.24 per nest and 2.6 per successful breeding pair. There were no significant differences in sex ratio. The birds nested mainly in winter cereal and rape (70%). Population productivity positively correlated with a high number of nests located in late harvested crops. The pairs breeding in early harvested crops had significantly lower breeding success (10%) than the pairs nesting in winter cereal (>70%), due to losses during farming activities. Protection of broods with fencing had a positive effect on the breeding success of pairs nesting on arable fields. An important factor that had a negative impact on the breeding success of Montagu’s Harriers was adverse weather conditions. 2005–2011 metais buvo vykdoma pievinių lingių intensyvi apsauga ir rūšies populiacijos tyrimai rytų centrinės Lenkijos dirbamuose laukuose. Pievinių lingių populiaciją sudarė 240–270 perinčių porų, vidutinis dėties dydis – 3,71 kiaušiniai vienai perinčiai porai, jauniklių skaičius – 1,24 jaunikliai vienam lizdui ir 2,6 jaunikliai vienai sėkmingai perėjusiai porai. Ryškaus skirtumo tarp patinų ir patelių skaičiaus nepastebėta. Paukščiai daugiausiai perėjo žieminių kultūrų ir rapso laukuose (70%). Populiacijos produktyvumas teigiamai koreliavo su dideliu lizdų skaičiumi laukuose, kur derlius nuimamas vėlai. Dėl aktyvios žemės ūkio veiklos perėjimo sėkmė buvo žymiai mažesnė laukuose, kur derlius nuimamas anksti (10%), nei žieminėse kultūrose (>70%). Lizdų aptvėrimas turėjo teigiamos įtakos dirbamuose plotuose perėjusių porų perėjimo sėkmei. Nepalankios oro sąlygos darė didelę neigiamą įtaką pievinių lingių perėjimo sėkmei.

The effects of weather conditions on the numbers of wintering birds and the diversity of their assemblages in villages and crop fields in east-central Poland

Winter in northern and central Europe can be a harsh time, especially for farmland birds. When fields are covered by snow, birds must search for food elsewhere, moving away to areas with more favourable weather or to habitats where food is more readily available. This study examines the changes in the numbers of wintering birds and the diversity of their assemblages in the farmlands and rural settlements of eastern Poland as a response to weather conditions. Deeper snow and low ambient temperatures caused the numbers of birds to increase in settlements but decrease in farmland. The numbers of species in both habitats were independent of the weather conditions, however. Among the species more frequently found in both habitats, only yellowhammer and tree sparrow showed a negative correlation between their numbers in settlements and in the surrounding farmland. This strongly suggests that these two species move back and forth between the two habitats, depending on the weather.

Zachowania wyborcze mieszkańców polskiej wsi

Since 1991, the observed parliamentary elections in Poland have been characterized by great spatial diversity in terms of support for individual political options. Among these options, it is possible to distinguish the right and the elitarian groupings deriving from the 1980’s opposition to the communist authorities, as well as the peasant and left camps to a large extent based around circles linked with the former system. The aforementioned options form two axes of division: an ideological one (left and right), and a socio-economic one (the peasant and elitarian camps). In the five investigated parliamentary elections (of 1993, 1997, 2001, 2005, 2007), it was mostly the peasant option and, to a lesser degree, the right-of-centre and left-of-centre parties that enjoyed widespread support from the rural population, with the elitarians only receiving much more limited backing. In general terms, the population from east-central Poland showed a preference for the peasant option; inhabitants living in the south and partly in the north (the Podlasie and Kaszuby regions) opted for the right, while western Poland supported the left. Among factors responsible for electoral behaviour, the population’s socio-professional profile and historical and cultural conditioning as broadly conceived are of primary significance. Differentiation of these factors has been shaped down the centuries. The period of the Partitions, which took place at a time of fundamental socio-economic transformation related to the transition from the agrarian to the industrial era, was of particular importance. Also crucial was the post-war shift in Poland’s borders, and the ensuing population migration; as well as changes in the system of ownership. The electoral behaviour of some regional groups forming distinct “islands” make it difficult to offer an unequivocal assessment of the major factors influencing electoral preferences. Nevertheless, the studies carried out indicate that there are clear connections between these factors, and that these relations are much stronger in rural areas than in towns or cities. The traditional forms of ownership (including individual farms) are conducive to the maintenance of traditional social structures, thus supporting cultural traditionalism. The profound economic transformations characteristic of Prussian industrialization, subsequently strengthened by the system under the Polish People’s Republic (nationalised agriculture) proved conducive to the erosion of traditional peasant culture.