Kampinos National Park Research Articles

STAN BADAŃ NAD DZIEJAMI PUSZCZY KAMPINOWSKIEJ

Kampinos Forest, also known as the Kampinos National Park, is a large forest complex located north-west of Warsaw. This is a unique natural heritage resource full of various forms of wildlife and many types of animals. In this remarkable natural monument are also to be found traces of human activity. Forest areas remained untouched for a long time, but since the 15th century people have begun the first settlements and villages. Within a few hundred years there has been created in this area many towns, parishes and centers of agricultural and forestry. During the Polish uprisings of the 19th and 20th centuries, the forest terrain was favorable to guerilla actions and is now a place of burial for several thousand people who are buried in military cemeteries. These topics were studied by historians, who wanted and still want to show the area of human activity and the evolution of the relationship between nature and man. The Kampinos Forest is seen in many publications as the place for daily life of inhabitants from the Middle Ages to the present day. This article is an attempt to discuss the current trends of historical research in this part of Mazovia. It also shows the perception of events by the authors. The issues of nature, landscape formation, geological processes and environmental protection are not included, because they belong to other fields of science and have a separate research methodology.

The state of crowns of black alder (Alnus glutinosa (L.) Gaertn.) in Kampinos National Park (Central Poland) in years 2015–2016 – preliminary studies

Abstract During 2015 and 2016, in the Kampinos National Park (KNP), monitoring was conducted for the population of black alder (Alnus glutinosa (L.) Gaertn.), which occupies 12.5% of the tree stands in the park and, after the Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.), is the second most important species there. The aim of the observation was to obtain data about the current condition of alder in the National Park. Monitoring was carried out on eight plots designated throughout the park. Stands where alder was not the dominant species were omitted. On each plot, 20 trees were evaluated with a total of 160 plants assessed. The age of the tree stands analysed was 55–120 years. Monitoring was conducted by assessing the tree’s crowns, based on the methodology of forest monitoring implemented by the National Environmental Monitoring. Based on the analyses, it was found that the average defoliation of alder in 2015 reached 28.1%, and 34.4% in 2016, with the differences being statistically significant. Among 70% of the specimens, there was no discoloration of the assimilation apparatus. There were significant differences in defoliation between research plots located inside the park and near its borders, which can be associated with the influence of anthropogenic factors. Based on the monitoring, it was found that the state of alder crowns in KNP is a warning or average, depending on the year of observation. Therefore, it is necessary to continue monitoring the state of alder crowns in KNP. On the basis of the study results, it was also found that the biosocial structure of the researched tree stands is formed correctly. The dendrometric measurements conducted show that the average diameter of the trees analysed, at breast height was 30.5 cm with an average height of 25.5 m. To analyse the changes in height and breast height, dendrometric measurements must be repeated in 2020. Monitoring will be continued in the following years to observe the changes.

Contribution to the knowledge of fungi of the Kampinos National Park (Poland) with particular emphasis on the species occurring in burnt places

The paper presents 32 species of macrofungi new to the Kampinos National Park, found during the studies on fire-damaged areas after the forest fires in 2015. Three species new to Poland were described and illustrated (<em>Calycellina leucella</em>, <em>Exobasidium juelianum</em>, and <em>Gymnopilus decipiens</em>). Four species from Polish red list of macrofungi have been recorded in the Kampinos National Park for the first time: <em>Botryobasidium vagum</em> (R), <em>Geastrum coronatum</em> (V), <em>Helicogloea farinacea</em> (E), <em>Inonotus cuticularis</em> (R). During the current studies 17 pyrophilous species new to the Kampinos National Park were found.

Tourism in Kampinos National Park in the Opinion of Visitors

Abstract Subject and purpose of work: This article analyses a survey of visitors in Kampinos National Park (henceforth also called Kampinos NP) in order to, among others, explore opinions on the most widely cultivated forms of tourist and recreational activity, as well as to learn about the expectations of visitors with regard to the management of the protected area in connection with the preparation of Park to ensure its accessibility for tourist and recreational purposes. Materials and methods: The study was carried out by the means of the diagnostic survey method, using a questionnaire as an instrument of research. The study group consisted of people visiting Kampinos NP. Results: For visitors, the Park terrain is an ideal place to practice mainly hiking or walking tours and recreational cycling. The park plays a significant role in primarily weekend tourism and recreation, providing a venue for recreational stays and several-hour walks taken by Warsaw agglomeration residents. Conclusions: The research showed that Kampinos NP is one of the best Polish national parks with regard to adaptations for tourism and recreation, as evidenced by one of the densest networks of hiking trails in the country and a wide offer range in terms of natural history and education. In the light of the conducted surveys it can be concluded that the areas of Kampinos NP are well suited for a variety of active tourism and recreation, and the main expectations of visitors focus on appropriate care for the natural environment and small business development.

Mobility of copper and zinc in near-surface groundwater as a function of the hypergenic zone lithology at the Kampinos National Park (Central Poland)

In the paper, we assess the mobility of copper and zinc in two sections, Granica and Kampinos, of the glacial and post-glacial sediments in the Kampinos National Park (Poland) and its buffer zone. The Granica section is practically devoid of carbonates and clay fraction, and the environment is markedly acidic. The other section, Kampinos, is characterized by a considerable content of carbonates (up to 20%) and clay fraction (up to 34%) with high sorption potential. The bonds of Zn2+ and Cu2+ cations with the solid phase occur mainly through adsorption and formation of salts, and through creation of chelated and complex connections. We found that, while sorption of Cu2+ within the shallow groundwater zone under typical natural environment equilibrium conditions depends mainly on the content of the sorbing solid phase (i.e. organic matter and metal oxides and hydroxides), sorption of Zn2+ within the shallow groundwater zone depends mainly on the fluctuating acidity and ionic strength of the groundwater, and to a lesser extent on the content and nature of the solid phase. The sorption process within the Kampinos section occurred predominantly on to three sorption media: clay fraction, organic matter and amorphous forms of Fe, Al and Mn. In the Granica section, because of the absence of clay fraction, sorption of the two metals occurred mainly with the organic matter and amorphous forms of Fe, Al and Mn. In addition, the sorption potential of the two metals in this section was low, because of the acidic pH of the environment, i.e. high availability of exchangeable hydrogen in the sorption complex. The concentrations of copper and zinc in the soil (So) were examined using both: the Lindsay and Norvell’s and aqua regia methods. The methods of variable extraction capacity yielded very similar results for copper. In addition, the study found that the amounts of extracted zinc depended on the type of solution. The highest concentrations of zinc and copper were observed using the extraction with aqua regia. The results from determining zinc and copper concentrations (So) in the soil and rocks and the results of hydrochemical modelling show that the mobility of these two elements is highly limited by sorption processes; moreover, zinc is less effectively adsorbed than copper in these sections.

Is cut-stump and girdling an efficient method of black cherry Prunus serotina Ehrh. eradication?

Abstract Efforts to prevent the invasion of black cherry Prunus serotina Ehrh. have a long history in Western Europe. However, effective methods of eliminating it that do not bear negative side effects for ecosystems have not yet been developed. Mechanical methods are the first choice in environmentally sensitive areas. In this study, we aimed to find answers to the questions: does the application of cutting at a height of 1 m from the ground limit the sprouting capacities of black cherry? And, is stem girdling an effective method of eliminating black cherry? The study was carried out in the Kampinos National Park, on two mixed pine forest plots with undergrowth of black cherry. Three mechanical methods of elimination were applied: cut-stump at the base, cutting at a height of 1 m above the ground and girdling of the stem at a height of ca 1 m above the ground. In both locations, 225 trees were treated, at three different dates corresponding with three different phenological phases of black cherry development. The evaluation of effectiveness of treatments was based on the sprouting capacity of the tree afterwards, which included: the number of generated sprouts, the length of three longest sprouts, dry mass of sprouts, and the assessment of tree survival rate. It was discovered that girdling is a significantly more effective method of control than ground-level cut-stump or cutting at a height of 1 m above the ground in the conditions of central Poland. However, in the season of treatment, even though recurring sprouts were removed, only a part of the girdled trees died (24% to 54%). There is a slight difference between the sprouting response of cutting at a height of 1 m above the ground (4% to 24% of dead trees) and the basal cut-stump method (0% of dead trees).

Health condition of the Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) in Kampinos National Park – preliminary studies

Abstract In 2015 in Kampinos National Park (KNP), monitoring of tree crown condition was conducted in specimens of the Scots pine, which is the dominant tree species in the park (73.3%). The monitoring was aimed at providing information about the health of pine trees in the national park area. The monitoring was conducted on 26 plots throughout the park. The stands where the pine is not a dominant species were omitted. On each plot, 20 trees were subjected to assessment. In total, 520 pine trees were examined. The monitoring was conducted by the assessment of tree crowns based on the adapted forest monitoring methodology conducted as part of National Environmental Monitoring. On the basis of the monitoring, it was found that 75.4% of the trees are characterised by slight defoliation and 94.4% of the specimens were not found to have discoloration of the assimilation apparatus. No differences were found between areas situated closer and further from the administrative borders of Warsaw. On the basis of the monitoring, it was found that the pine trees in KNP are in a good health condition. Dendrometric measurements show that the average diameter at breast height (DBH) of the analysed trees is 26.6 cm. The average height of the trees is 20.4 m. The average age of the examined tree stands is 84. The monitoring will be continued in subsequent years in order to record the changes taking place in tree crowns.

The Wild Bees Andrena gallica Schmiedeknecht, 1883 and Andrena assimilis Radoszkowski, 1876 (Apoidea: Andrenidae) in Poland

Abstract The wild bees Andrena assimilis Radoszkowski, 1876, and Andrena gallica Schmiedeknecht, 1883, are morphologically very similar species and by some authors they are treated as one taxon – A. assimilis. Some other authors treat A. gallica as a subspecies of A. assimilis, others assert that both A. gallica and A. assimilis are valid species. After analysing the morphological features, we confirm that they should be treated as two distinct species. The following characters help to separate A. gallica from A. assimilis: in the case of females – the colouration of the stigma and veins in the forewing, in the case of males – the microsculpture of the surface of the metasomal terga, the punctation of terga II–III, and the width of the edeagus. Andrena gallica was reported in Poland in the first half of the twentieth century from the following regions: Baltic Coast, Kraków-Wieluń Upland, Małopolska Upland, and Wielkopolska-Kujawy Lowland. Due to the synonymy, these records were included in the distribution of A. assimilis. After more than 50 years, the occurrence of A. gallica in Poland has been confirmed. The new record of the species is reported based on the specimen collected in Kampinos National Park (Mazovian Lowland). In 2004, one male was collected on fallow land. Water pan-traps (Moericke traps) were used to do the collecting. Diagnoses of both species, data on their biology, as well as distribution, are provided.

Kampinos National Park: a risk area for spotted fever group rickettsioses, central Poland?

Ixodid ticks are important vectors of a variety of bacterial and protozoan pathogens which cause infections in humans. In this study, altogether 1041 questing Ixodes ricinus (n = 305) and Dermacentor reticulatus ticks (n = 736), sympatrically occurring in Kampinos National Park (KPN), central-east Poland, were analyzed by PCR for Rickettsia species. Overall, the pathogen prevalence in ticks was 27.5 % for I. ricinus and 42.8 % for D. reticulatus. Sequencing analysis showed that the first tick species was exclusively infected with R. helvetica, whereas the latter was infected with R. raoultii. These organism may pose a threat for populations exposed to ticks. Preliminary results of a serosurvey of 74 KPN employees, inhabitants and visitors from the same area showed a 31.1 % total seroprevalence against SFG rickettsiae compared to 13.3 % seropositive blood donors of the control group. Risk factors significantly associated with IgG seropositivity were: occupational exposure to ticks (p = 0.002), frequency of tick bites (p = 0.02) and male gender (p = 0.005). Seropositive and seronegative individuals occupationally exposed to ticks did not differ significantly with respect to age and years of employment.

Regeneration-degeneration processes in the inland dune forests in protected areas of central Poland (Kampinos National Park)

Abstract The aim of our study was to quantify the differences in the regeneration-degeneration processes in pine and mixed oak-pine forest habitats in the Kampinos Forest (central Poland). We investigated whether the regeneration rate depends on habitat type, whether there is a relationship between the bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) cover and the degree of community deformation, and which habitat type has been most invaded by alien plant species. Our results indicate that the constant loss of pine forest habitats, which has been observed since the 1970s, is continuing. The less deformed communities generally have more bilberry coverage, the stands in pine forest habitats are older and less deformed, and the stands in mixed oak-pine forest habitats are more susceptible to the spread of alien species, but are able to regenerate faster after a disturbance. These results are in line with observations from other parts of Poland and other European countries.

Seasonal dynamics of saproxylic beetles (Coleoptera) occurring in decaying birch (Betula spp.) wood in the Kampinos National Park

Abstract The aim of the study was to identify the seasonal changes in the number of saproxylic beetles connected with birch in the Kampinos National Park. The research was conducted for 12 consecutive months in research areas representing 10 different site types. The beetles were collected from wood using photoeclectors. The largest number of species was collected in April and the lowest in January. An increase in number occurred during spring and summer months for species associated only with rotting wood, fructifications of tree fungi, the subcortical environment and hollows. In the same period the number of species not associated or potentially associated with decaying trees and wood decreased. During winter months, the differences in the number of trapped specimens were the smallest. The proportion of zoophagous species amongst the collected specimen increased in autumn and winter. The share of saprophagous species was the highest during the summer-autumn period and the share of mycetophages (jointly with myxomycophages) was the highest during spring and summer. We distinguished two separate groups of Coleoptera with the first one (‘summer group’) including species trapped during late-spring and summer months, while the second one (‘winter group’) includes species found in autumn, winter and early-spring months. In the ‘summer group’, an average of 55.8 species was trapped each month with 331.2 specimen of Coleoptera, while in the ʻwinter group’ an average of 56.1 species with 228.4 Coleoptera specimen were caught.

The occurrence of alien species in the settlement areas of the Kampinos National Park and its vicinity (Central Poland)

Abstract Studies aimed at the identification of the range and method of spread of alien plant species in settlement areas in Kampinos National Park (KNP) and its immediate vicinity were carried out in years 2012-2014. Special emphasis was put on surveying the sites of invasive alien species (IAS), and diagnosing potential threats posed to the natural and semi-natural vegetation of the national park by the IAS present in rural areas. We found 53 alien vascular plant species, including 40 invasive taxa which may potentially pose a threat to the ecosystems of KNP. Species encroaching from settlement areas to semi-natural and natural communities included: Bidens frondosa, Echinocystis lobata, Impatiens glandulifera, I. parviflora, Juncus tenuis, Lupinus polyphyllus, Reunoutria japonica and Solidago gigantea. Most of them were species from the highest invasiveness (IV and III) classes in Poland. Similarity analysis carried out for all investigated localities with regard to all alien species, and only for invasive ones showed a clear division into separate groups: villages within the boundaries of the national park and villages outside the park.

Relation entre les éléments environnementaux et hydrogéologiques caractérisant les écosystèmes tributaires des eaux souterraines dans le centre de la Pologne

Results are presented for a quantitative and qualitative analysis of the relationship between hydrogeological and environmental elements characterizing the areas of groundwater-dependent ecosytems (GDEs) located in the Kampinos National Park in central Poland. Statistical analysis was used to assess the seasonal and long-term variability of groundwater conditions. A geographic information system (GIS)-based model enabled the visualization of the test results. Objectification of spatial relationships between hydrogeological and environmental elements was carried out using factor analysis. The statistical analysis of groundwater levels in the period 1999–2013 confirmed the sequence of wet and dry years. The calculation enabled the determination of the range of groundwater-level changes, but no specific trends were observed with respect to these changes. Moreover, the widespread belief that the lowering of the water table in presented GDEs is due to anthropogenic pressure and climate change was not confirmed. The factor analysis showed that GDE areas are characterized by a considerable homogeneity of abiotic elements and locally occurring heterogeneous regions, mainly related to anthropogenic pressure. Dependency between the type of plant community and depth to the water table in the typical GDEs was not defined by the delimiting factors.

Grains in the Diets of Medium-Sized Carnivores — A Case of Diplochory?

ABSTRACT Although most grasses (including cereals) are described as epizoochoric or anemochoric, many authors have shown that grains may be dispersed via the digestive tracts of animals, i.e. are endozoochoric. Cereals have been reported from carnivores' faeces several times; nevertheless, there is no data about the fate (i.e. capacity to germinate) of these grains. The scope of this paper is to focus on the role of medium-sized carnivores as potential secondary dispersers of grains. In 2010–2011, we examined 619 faeces of badgers Meles meles, foxes Vulpes vulpes and martens Martes sp. Faeces were collected every month from June to November in Kampinos National Park (KNP). In seven cases (1.1%) we found 64 grains of a total of two species of cereals: rye, Secale cereale and oats, Avena sativa, in the faeces of red fox and martens, with the red fox samples predominant. Some of the seeds retained the capacity to germinate and to establish seedlings. In two cases, included as accompanying material, feathers ...

Nature monitoring: a tool for the evaluation of the preservation of synanthropic habitats

Abstract The article presents the results of nature monitoring in synanthropic habitats. It shows the organizational aspects of monitoring, a survey procedure, including its assessment for use in synanthropic habitats, and the key findings of the research, including the evaluation of the conservation status of habitats covered by the monitoring and influencing factors’ effects. Observations of segetal and ruderal habitats were carried out in 2013 within the Kampinos National Park, according to the recommendations specified in the State Environmental Monitoring Programme, with specific adjustment to the monitored habitats. We used, for example, modified indices for specific structures and functions, e.g., by introducing the index of “archaeophytes”, which was also adopted as a cardinal index for synanthropic habitats. The obtained results show the detailed information, collected during monitoring, on the current status of synanthropic habitats. They allowed to evaluate conservation status, threats and conservation prospects for these habitats. This is the first proposal for the standardized monitoring of synanthropic habitats in Poland.

Temporal patterns of energy equivalence in temperate soil invertebrates.

The question whether total population energy use is invariant to species body size (the energy equivalence hypothesis) is central to metabolic ecology and continues to be controversial. While recent comparative field work and meta-analyses pointed to systematic deviations of the underlying allometric scaling laws from predictions of metabolic theory none of these studies included the variability of metabolic scaling in ecological time. Here we used extensive data on the invertebrate soil fauna of Kampinos National Park (Poland) obtained from six consecutive quantitative sampling seasons to show that phylogenetically corrected species density—body weight and population energy use—body weight relationships across all soil fauna species and within trophic groups and body weight classes were highly variable in time. On average, population energy use tended to increase with species body weight in decomposers and phytophages, but not in predators. Despite these trends, our data do not exclude the possibility that energy equivalence marks the central tendency of energy use in the edaphon. Our results highlight the need for long-term studies on energy use to unequivocally assess predictions of metabolic theory.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s00442-015-3317-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Regeneration and vegetative propagation of Sphagnum palustre as factor of population stability

The stability of the <i>Sphagnum palustre</i> populations on the meadows of the Kampinos National Park situated north-west of Warsaw was investigated in the period 1971-1974. Laboratory cultures were also started to establish the regenerative ability of various gametophyte parts of <i>Sphagnum</i>: the main stem, branches, leaves and spore germination. The green stems and apical branches of the plants showed the highest regeneration ability. Brown stems and white branches developed less intensively. Leaves showed no tendency to develop into new plants. Gametophores were found to form quicker and more effectively by way of regeneration than from spores. In natural conditions more intensive growth of branchings (new shoots) from the apical and green parts of <i>Sphagnum</i> was also observed, whereas the brown parts did not exhibit this ability.

Ecosystem services of Kampinos National Park for the city of Warsaw

Ecosystem services of Kampinos National Park for the city of Warsaw

Biomass increment in mosses on the example of Aulacomnium palustre (Hedw.) Schwaegr.

The biomass increment of the moss <i>Aulacomnium palustre</i> growing on two meadows of the Kampinos National Park was studied. The state of the biomass and production in g/m<sup>2</sup> were compared on two different sites in two successive vegetation seasons.

Preferencje i zachowania osób wypoczywających w gospodarstwach agroturystycznych w sąsiedztwie Kampinoskiego Parku Narodowego

The article presents the results of research on the preferences and behaviors of people vacationing in the countryside. Surveys were conducted during the summer 2013 years among 133 tourists vacationing in agritourist farms in the surroundings of Kampinos National Park. The paper presents the characteristics and behavior of an average tourist visitor in rural areas. The reasons for choosing this form of tourism were analysed, as well as the choice of a specific offer. Moreover, the study covered sources of information about the object used by tourists, preferred ways of spending free time and expectations of diversifying and improving the offer. Finally, the determinants of behavior and expectations of tourists, such as age, education level and financial situation of the respondents was analysed.