NE Poland Research Articles

Wind Energy and Multi-criteria Analysis in Making Decisions on the Location of Wind Farms

The paper presents a discussion on different methods of multi-criteria analysis and different rules of proceedings that have to be taken into account when making a decision regarding the location of a wind farm in the NE Poland. In the study, six multi-criteria analyses were discussed taking into account the main criteria on which they are based: utility functions (MAUT, AHP, DEMATEL), relationships outranking (ELECTRE, PROMETHEE), and decision support (Borda ranking methods).

Unveiling exceptional Baltic bog ecohydrology, autogenic succession and climate change during the last 2000 years in CE Europe using replicate cores, multi-proxy data and functional traits of testate amoebae

We present the results of high-resolution, multi-proxy palaeoecological investigations of two parallel peat cores from the Baltic raised bog Mechacz Wielki in NE Poland. We aim to evaluate the role of regional climate and autogenic processes of the raised bog itself in driving the vegetation and hydrology dynamics. Based on partly synchronous changes in Sphagnum communities in the two study cores we suggest that extrinsic factors (climate) played an important role as a driver in mire development during the bog stage (500–2012 CE). Using a testate amoebae transfer function, we found exceptionally stable hydrological conditions during the last 2000 years with a relatively high water table and lack of local fire events that allowed for rapid peat accumulation (2.75 mm/year) in the bog. Further, the strong correlation between pH and community-weighted mean of testate amoeba traits suggests that other variables than water-table depth play a role in driving microbial properties under stable hydrological conditions. There is a difference in hydrological dynamics in bogs between NW and NE Poland until ca 1500 CE, after which the water table reconstructions show more similarities. Our results illustrate how various functional traits relate to different environmental variables in a range of trophic and hydrological scenarios on long time scales. Moreover, our data suggest a common regional climatic forcing in Mechacz Wielki, Gązwa and Kontolanrahka. Though it may still be too early to attempt a regional summary of wetness change in the southern Baltic region, this study is a next step to better understand the long-term peatland palaeohydrology in NE Europe

Changes in the trophic status of lakes in the Suwałki Landscape Park (NE Poland)

Abstract Summer field research and chemical analyses in 2015 provided the basis for the presentation of the trophic status of waters of 28 lakes of the Suwałki Landscape Park in NE Poland, located in the catchment of the River Neman, in the Natura 2000 area – Ostoja Jeleniewska. Lakes Hańcza and Szurpiły are currently mesotrophic ecosystems. The remaining lakes are moderately eutrophic, while four lakes in the group, in addition to anaerobic hypolimnion, have infertile epilimnion similar to that of mesotrophic lakes. Lake Hańcza shows considerable multiannual dynamics of water fertility, periodically reaching a status approximate to eutrophy. In Lake Szurpiły and the majority of smaller lakes of the Suwałki Landscape Park, reduced precipitation in 2015 resulted in an inconsiderable decrease in trophic status. The lakes are under the strong influence of their catchment area, as confirmed by statistically significant correlations between TSI and the Ohle and Schindler ratios. Lakes Kluczysko and Kopane currently remain the most fertile lakes in the Park. Unless rapidly developing cattle breeding leads to excessive fertilisation of waters in the catchment, the forecasted variability of weather conditions during global climate transformations will lead to fluctuations in the fertility of the majority of the analysed lakes at the threshold of meso- and eutrophy. A hypothesis is also stated regarding the considerable role of groundwater alimentation and short retention time in the maintenance of higher than average resources of silica in limnic waters.

Export of nutrients from the catchment of the upper Szeszupa River (drainage basin of the Neman River) and its seasonality

Abstract The article presents the dynamics of concentrations and export of nitrogen, phosphorus, TOC in the upper Szeszupa River (tributary of the River Neman) in the period from 2000 to 2014 (15 years) based on monthly analyses performed in Poland in the scope of the National Environmental Monitoring. The lakeland river with a mean discharge of 1.6 m3 s−1 and catchment dominated by agricultural land exports approximately 20 kg ha−1 of organic carbon compounds per year. The export of nitrogen is insignificant (3.8 kg ha−1) with 55% accounting for the element in the form of organic compounds and 31% for nitrates. Phosphorus export is also relatively low (0.12 kg ha−1), with 30% of the load of TP constituted by orthophosphates. During four months (February–May), 40–60% of annual export of nutrients was discharged, whereas the load of nitrates and organic nitrogen was higher than the contribution of outflowing water. From 2010, an increasing tendency has been observed in organic nitrogen export. This may be related to the intensification of animal production in NE Poland and an increase in livestock density.

Una posible espada de periodo romano de Grzybowo (Grzybowen), Masuria, NE. de Polonia. Contexto arqueológico y tecnológico

En este trabajo se analiza el fragmento de una espada con posible sello de Masuria hallada en el NE de Polonia. Fue encontrada cerca de una necrópolis romana de la Cultura Bogaczewo. Tipológicamente es una espada romana. Sin embargo, los resultados de los análisis metalográficos sugieren que fue fabricada o bien con un limpio hierro forjado (o hipotéticamente con hierro fundido) o con acero preindustrial (Bessemer, Thomas, Siemens-Martin, etc.). Por otro lado, la composición química de la misma implicaría el empleo de acero pre-industrial. Para concluir, se sugiere, con cautela, que la espada puede ser una espada antigua, pero esta conclusión solo puede verificarse si aparecen hallazgos similares del periodo romano.

Cladocera Community Composition as a Function of Physicochemical and Morphological Parameters of Dystrophic Lakes in NE Poland

Cladocera are one of the most important freshwater biological indicators for a wide range of environmental variables. They show strong responses to several environmental factors (e.g., trophic state, water depth, temperature) and are very sensitive to changes in water pH. The main interest of this study was to evaluate the relationship between subfossil Cladocera community composition and environmental properties of dystrophic lakes (pH, water transparency, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, depth and area). We hypothesize that Cladocera species composition depends on a dystrophication index (HDI); thus, Cladocera assemblages change with the degree of dystrophication. For the study, we selected a group of dystrophic lakes located in Wigry National Park (WNP), NE Poland, where we found subfossil remains of 24 Cladocera species belonging to four families (Chydoridae, Bosminidae, Daphniidae, and Sididae). A non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) was used to elaborate on the similarities among samples in cladoceran-community composition and structure. Statistical analyses showed that Cladocera assemblages in all the studied lakes were similar, and individual Cladocera species respond to the measured environmental parameters (e.g., pH, lake size and depth). Our results suggest that in dystrophic lakes, Cladocera community composition is an emerging characteristic of individual species responses to the environment.

New finds of Eemian Tilia tomentosa Moench macroremais in NE Poland, and the reconstructed European range of this species during the last interglacial

Fossil nutlets of Tilia tomentosa Moench were found in the Eemian sediments from the Hieronimowo site, NE Poland. They come from the hazel (E4 R PAZ) and hornbeam (E5 R PAZ) phase of the last interglacial. Currently, this species occurs only in southern Europe and in Asia Minor. Its presence in NE Poland during the Eemian Interglacial shows that its northern range limit was at that time about 1000 km further north than today. This also proves that mean July temperatures in this area were significantly higher than during the Holocene (above 21 °C). The finding of T. tomentosa nutlets confirmed the previously reported detectability of pollen of this species.

Long-term study of the prevalence of Borrelia burgdorferi s.l. infection in ticks (Ixodes ricinus) feeding on blackbirds (Turdus merula) in NE Poland.

Seeking evidence to confirm that blackbirds (Turdus merula) may be involved in environmental maintenance of Borrelia burgdorferi s.l. (the causative agent of Lyme borreliosis), we conducted a long-term study over three separate 2-year periods, together embracing a span of almost 20 years, all in the same area in northeastern Poland. We examined a total of 78 blackbirds and collected 623 Ixodes ricinus ticks feeding on them. The tick infestation prevalence was found to be very high (89.7 %). Among all ticks collected, 9.8 % individuals were infected with B. burgdorferi s.l. spirochetes. We found statistically significant growth in the prevalence of infected ticks as well as an increasing proportion of blackbirds hosting them in subsequent years of study. Ticks feeding on blackbirds were infected mainly with B. garinii (45.7 %), a genospecies commonly encountered in birds, and with B. afzelii (28.6 %), until recently considered rodent-associated. We also identified B. turdi (22.9 %), frequently found in recent years in ticks feeding on birds, and B. spielmanii (2.8 %), which had previously not been found in infected ticks feeding on blackbirds. We also found that ticks infected with genospecies associated with avian reservoir groups (B. garinii and B. turdi) were not randomly distributed on blackbirds, but instead focused on certain bird specimens. We therefore conjecture that this is a result of ticks becoming infected either from the host blackbird itself, or from other infected ticks feeding on the same host blackbird. We did not find any similar dependency for the rodent specialist B. afzelii.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s10493-016-0082-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Saproxylic springtails (Collembola) of the Wigry National Park

AbstractFaunistic and ecological studies on saproxylicCollembolaspecies were carried out in the Wigry National Park (NE Poland). Nine sites representingTilio-Carpinetum,Serratulo-PinetumandPeucedano-Pinetumhabitats each including three different levels of disturbance were visited twice in 2015. Samples from fallen logs in different stages of decay, neighboring litter and soil as well as arboreal epiphytes were taken on each visit. TheCollembolaspecimens were then extracted using Tullgren funnels resulting in a total of 73 838 specimens from 270 samples. Specimen identification revealed the occurrence of 63 species, including 5 saproxylobiontic, 7 saproxylophilous, 4 xerophilous species living in epiphytic mosses and lichens as well as 47 hemiedaphic or euedaphic species. This composition of saproxylic fauna seems to be typical for the region with the most diverse assemblages being found inTilio-Carpinetumhabitats, whileSerratulo-PinetumandPeucedano-Pinetumare clearly less diverse. Additionally, a slight decrease in the number ofCollembolaspecies with increasing forest disturbance was observed. Furthermore, an increase in the number ofCollembolaspecies with the degree of dead wood decomposition was also found. This indicates that saproxylic springtail assemblages are sensitive to anthropogenic changes.

Effect of slope position on soil particle-size distribution in young glacial landscape (Łyna River valley, NE Poland)

AbstractThe aim of this paper was to characterize soil particle-size distribution (PSD) of in the middle part of young glacial Łyna River valley in relation to parent materials, soil forming processes and slope position. The study comprised rusty soils, arenosols, clay-illuvial soils, colluvial and alluvial soils located in four slope position: summit / midslope, footslope / toeslope, upper and lower part of floodplain. In order to describe the sedimentological environment and possible heterogenity of the soil formations, sedimentological and granulometric indices were calculated. The relationships between soil fractions in A horizons and environmental variables (slope position and depth of A horizon) were determined using principal component analysis (PCA).The studied soils were poorly sorted with various values of skewness of granulometric distribution (symmetrical, fine and very fine skewed) and kurtosis (mainly very leptokurtic). The value of mean grain diameter was decreasing with slope position which may suggest high dynamics and energy of sedimentological environment in the middle part of Łyna River valley. The analysis of granulometric indices revealed that colluvial deposits were the most homogenous and alluvial formations were the most heterogenous. The results of the statistical analysis showed a positive correlation of the amounts of clay and silt fractions with depth of A horizons. The factor responsible for variability of these fractions was the position on the slope. The A horizons in soils located at the summit and footslope had the highest amounts of sand fractions. While significant increase in the share of finer fractions in soils located in the floodplain was noted.

Resilience, rapid transitions and regime shifts: Fingerprinting the responses of Lake Żabińskie (NE Poland) to climate variability and human disturbance since AD 1000

Rapid ecosystem transitions and adverse effects on ecosystem services as responses to combined climate and human impacts are of major concern. Yet few long-term (i.e. >60 years) quantitative observational time series exist, particularly for ecosystems that have a long history of human intervention. Here, we combine three major environmental pressures (land use, nutrients and erosion) with quantitative summer and winter climate reconstructions and climate model simulations to explore the system dynamics, resilience and the role of disturbance regimes in varved eutrophic Lake Żabińskie (NE Poland) since AD 1000. The comparison between these independent sources of information allows us to establish the coherence and points of disagreements between such data sets. We find that climate reconstructions capture noticeably natural forced climate variability, while internal variability is the dominant source of variability during most parts of the last millennium at the regional scale, precisely at which climate models seem to underestimate forced variability. Using different multivariate analyses and change point detection techniques, we identify ecosystem changes through time and shifts between rather stable states and highly variable ones. Prior to AD 1600, the lake ecosystem was characterised by high stability and resilience against observed natural climate variability. During this period, the anthropogenic fingerprint was small; the lake ecosystem was buffered against the combined human and natural disturbance. In contrast, lake–ecosystem conditions started to fluctuate across a broad range of states after AD 1600. The period AD 1745–1886 represents the phase with the strongest human disturbance of the catchment–lake ecosystem. During that time, the range of natural climate variability did not increase. Analyses of the frequency of change points in the multi-proxy data set suggest that the last 400 years were highly variable and increased vulnerability of the ecosystem to the anthropogenic disturbances. This led to significant rapid ecosystem transformations.

Was it ‘terra desolata’? Conquering and colonizing the medieval Prussian wilderness in the context of climate change.

Pollen, non-pollen palynomorphs, charcoal and geochemical analyses of sediments from Lakes Salęt and Ruskowiejskie (NE Poland) were used to reconstruct vegetation changes in the former Galindia territory (Old Prussia) related to human activity and the climatic instability of the medieval period. Among archaeologists and historians, there is a widespread opinion that the permanent transformations of the environment in Prussia (south-eastern Baltic region) began not earlier than after its conquest by the Teutonic Order and resulted from its economic activity and intensive colonization. The impact of previous inhabitants of this land on the environment has been considered as definitely weak. Our results provide entirely contrasting evidence and demonstrate that strong and permanent deforestation started as early as in the early 11th century AD, in the pre-Teutonic Order time, and were associated with the economic activity of the Prussian Galinditae tribes. In this paper, we also discuss a possible interpretation of the medieval distribution patterns of Quercus. We assume that human activity catalysed and amplified both its spreading process and decline, primarily driven by the ‘Little Ice Age’ climatic deterioration. Our palynological results indicate the significant spread of Picea from ca. AD 1000, which we interpret as reflecting hydrological and climatic changes. Moreover, we hypothesize that the spread of Carpinus in the early medieval period (11th–13th centuries), which occurred in connection with more intense human activity, was largely because of woodland pasturing.

New occurrence of rare protected moss species Buxbaumia viridis (Bryopsida, Buxbaumiaceae) in the Białowieża Forest

The Green Shield-moss Buxbaumia viridis (Bryopsida, Buxbaumiaceae) is an endangered, legally protected bryophyte considered as an ancient forest species both in Poland and elsewhere in Europe. This paper presents new localities for NE Poland, specifically in the Bialowieza Forest. As an epixylous species, it is threatened by logging and intensive forest management. It is of utmost importance to protect this spe- cies' habitat, particularly at the present time when increased logging is proposed.

Application of multisensoral remote sensing data in the mapping of alkaline fens Natura 2000 habitat

The Biebrza River valley (NE Poland) is distinguished by largely intact, highly natural vegetation patterns and very good conservation status of wetland ecosystems. In 2013⿿2014, studies were conducted in the upper Biebrza River basin to develop a remote sensing method for alkaline fen classification ⿿ a protected Natura 2000 habitat (code 7230) ⿿ using remote sensing technologies. High resolution airborne true colour (RGB) and color infrared (CIR) orthophotomaps, the laser scanning point cloud and thermal day and night images were obtained in August 2013 in the Biebrza River basin. At the same time, botanical studies were conducted in this area using conventional phytosociological methods. The random forest classification method was used to distinguish patches (phytocoenoses) of alkaline fens in the study area. The developed method of wetland identification has an accuracy of 91.5%. The night land surface temperature (LST) appears to have the greatest indicator potential. The obtained inventory results were compared with the results of the traditional habitat 7230 mapping method, carried out in 2011⿿2013 by another team of authors, under the Management Plan (MP, 2014). The obtained results suggest that the developed method has a wide application in nature conservation. Remote sensing methods are alternatives to traditional methods and can be used to identify alkaline fens on a larger scale.

A lake-bog succession vs. climate changes from 13,300 to 5900 cal. BP in NE Poland in the light of palaeobotanical and geochemical proxies

This paper presents and discusses the influence of climatic and edaphic factors on vegetation succession of the postglacial Lake Czarne (LC) located in NE Poland. On the basis of pollen, macroscopic plant remains, non-pollen palynomorphs (NPPs), and geochemical analyses, we reconstructed the transition from a clear oligotrophic lake to an ombrotrophic mire from 13,300 to 5900cal. BP. Climatic events/periods that may have affected the lake/mire succession were as follows: (i) relatively warm conditions in the younger part of the Younger Dryas (ca. 12,220cal. BP) that led to water eutrophication recorded as blooms of Scenedesmus ellipticus, whose response preceded that of woodland vegetation by ca. 200years, (ii) the warming of the Late Glacial–Holocene transition and early Holocene that caused the final melting of dead ice block(s) and led to the deepening of the water body and/or an increase in the water level, the retreat of submerged macrophytes, and the enrichment of waters with sulphur, (iii) the global cold period between 8600 and 8000cal. BP that contributed to a rise in the water level during the phase of sedge swamp and enabled the reappearance of Nymphaeaceae and blooms of S. ellipticus (ca. 8570–8500cal. BP), and (iv) the global climate cooling 6500–5900cal. BP that still remains enigmatic in terms of palaeobotanical patterns; however, geochemical markers point to an increase in the water level and enhanced erosion in the LC catchment ca. 6200–6000cal. BP. Lake terrestrialization resulted in the concurrent appearance of microhabitats suitable for mosses with contrasting ecological preferences, e.g., Warnstorfia exannulata (acidic) and Scorpidium revolvens (alkaline), or Straminergon stramineum (acidic), Meesia triquetra (alkaline) and S. revolvens (alkaline).

Veronica longifolia L. as an important initial larval food plant of Scarce Fritillary Euphydryas maturna (LINNAEUS, 1758) (Lepidoptera, Nymphalidae): the ecological uniqueness of populations from the Natura 2000 area “Dolina Biebrzy” (Biebrza Valley) in NE Poland

Abstract The Euro-Siberian Scarce Fritillary Euphydryas maturna is considered a vulnerable species in the European Union and is listed in Annexes II and IV of the Habitats Directive. The butterfly shows a complex pattern of larval plant use throughout its range. In central Europe females oviposit on some trees and bushes, especially Fraxinus spp., on which hatched larvae spend their pre-diapause phase of development feeding gregariously in conspicuous webs. However, some herbal plants are also reported in the north and east. During a study performed in the Natura 2000 area “Dolina Biebrzy” (Biebrza Valley) in NE Poland we recorded populations showing a unique mixture of ecological characteristics. Both Fraxinus excelsior and Veronica longifolia were used as larval food plants before hibernation, and some local populations seemed to be completely dependent on the latter plant. Moreover, in the spring, at one site, we observed larvae feeding on Salix rosmarinifolia - the first host record for this plant species. The importance of our findings for conservation, as well as for the monitoring of the butterfly, is discussed.

Differentiation of fen bedrock in the Mrągowo Lakeland (NE Poland) in relation to Pleistocene terrain morphogenesis

Abstract The Mrągowo Lake District (NE Poland) with the area of 182 800 hectares was formed in 1/3 during the Poznań phase (POZ) of the Vistulian glaciation, and in 2/3 in the Pomeranian phase (POM) of that glaciation. A number of fens in the Mrągowo Lake District is 1164, and they occupy 5.9% of its total area. Majority of fens (1018) with an area of 8620 ha is located in the zone of POM phase, and the remaining fens (146) occupying 2157 ha occur within the zone of POZ phase. Peatlands cover 3.5% of area of POZ phase and 7% of area of POM phase. The mean size of fens in the Mrągowo Lake District is 9.3 ha (mean size in POZ phase zone is 14.8 ha and in POM zone – 8.5 ha). Limnic deposits predominate in the bedrock of fens (92.5% of the total number of fens). Originally, lakes occupied 11% of the Mrągowo Lake District, of which 1/2 was transformed into fens. More than 50% of peatlands developed on organic gyttja, 27% on calcareous gyttja, and almost 14% on mineral gyttja. About 7.5% of fens formed as a result of paludification.

Diverse rates of gene flow and long-distance migration in two moose Alces alces subpopulations in Europe

We assessed migration rates and gene flow amongst 16 local demes and six larger groups of moose identified by a previous microsatellite study across the entire European range of the species. The most important barrier to gene flow, the Baltic Sea along with the mountainous region in northern Fennoscandia, separates two genetically distinct moose subpopulations—the Scandinavian and the continental subpopulations—that originate from different glacial refugia. Our results showed that moose effectively migrated over long distances, but statistically significant gene flow was shorter in the Scandinavian (300–400 km) compared to the continental subpopulation (400–500 km). The admixture rates in local demes were markedly lower in the Scandinavian, than in the continental part of the moose range. Weaker gene flow amongst local demes in Scandinavia resulted from the major barrier of the Scandinavian Mountains. In the generally panmixed continental subpopulation of moose, two demes—one in NE Poland and another in the Kirov Oblast, Russia showed slightly hampered gene exchange with neighbouring demes, whereas one deme, in Arkhangelsk region, NE part of European Russia, appeared to have very high gene flow into other demes. Different evolutionary and demographic histories, population densities and land topography (large rivers) could have contributed to the low level barriers to gene flow in the continental subpopulation of moose.

Assessing floodplain porosity for accurate quantification of water retention capacity of near-natural riparian ecosystems—A case study of the Lower Biebrza Basin, Poland

Near-natural lowland floodplains, which nearly disappeared in temperate climates due to the vast anthropopression, play a critically important role in shaping biodiversity in regional scales. The other important aspects of floodplains such as their role in flood mitigation for downstream reaches of rivers, catchment-scale ecosystem services, and agriculture emphasize the need for research of these ecosystems, with special focus on the flood-vegetation interactions. In our study we performed an experiment oriented at the accurate quantification of water retention capacity of the densely vegetated floodplain located in NE Poland, referring to the floodplain porosity (ε). We conducted measurements of the geometry of selected types of the floodplain vegetation, with a special focus on the communities dominated by the common reed (Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. ex Steud.), the reed-manna grass (Glyceria maxima (Hartm.) Holumb.) and dominant representatives of loosely structured sedges (Carex acuta L.) and of tussock sedges (Carex appropinquata Schumach.)., which allowed us to derive the volume of these species and eventually the floodplain porosity coefficients in a function of various flood depths. Estimated values of ε equalled from 0.882 to 0.993. Average value of ε for all vegetation communities analysed for all flood depths considered equalled 0.968. Consideration of the derived ε values in the case study on the floodplain water retention capacity estimation in hypothetical conditions of a standard flood (2-year recurrence interval) resulted in the reduction of the total water storage volume of the floodplain by 0.75mnm3 of water. Results of our research indicated that the studies oriented at quantification of water storage within the floodplain as an asset for ecosystem services should consider floodplain porosity due to its significance in the accurate estimation of floodplain capacity.

Genetic structure and barcode identification of an endangered orchid species, Liparis loeselii, in Poland

The genetic diversity of five populations of Liparis loeselii from two regions of Poland, Podlachia and Silesia, was compared with respect to minisatellite markers. Moreover, the standard 2-loci barcode DNA regions, rbcL and matK genes, as well as an additional region trnL-F from chloroplast and ITS2 from nuclear genome were studied. The total genetic diversity at the species level amounted to HT = 0.356. The analysis of molecular variance revealed that 58% of genetic variation was distributed within populations, 2% among populations, and 40% between regions from NE Poland (Podlachia), and S Poland (Silesia). Nei's genetic distances indicated that specimens from the Podlachia population were genetically isolated from Silesian ones. Two genetic barriers among the studied populations were found: one barrier separated the Podlachian population from all Silesian populations and another barrier divided Kuźnica Warężyńska population from other Silesian populations. Based on barcode sequences it was found that all the examined samples were identical with respect to all the studied DNA regions. Liparis loeselii trnL-F region sequences were detected for the first time and they can be useful as complementary barcodes for this species. The analysed sequences of L. loeselii are fully consistent with sequences of specimens originating from the UK, Canada, Czech Republic, Hungary, Sweden, Italy, and Russia.