North-eastern Poland Research Articles

The molecular population structure of Swertia perennis (Gentianaceae) in Central Europe

Phylogeographic analysis of Swertia perennis, a typical European subalpine springtime species, revealed the existence of at least five major phylogenetic lineages. A large phylogeographic separation exists among these geographical regions, which confirms the existence of glacial refugia in the Pyrenees, but also in the Eastern and Central Alps. The results obtained from the analyzes indicate the existence of three major differences between the populations of the Alps and the Pyrenees, but also between the populations of the Alps and those of other geographical regions (Carpathians, southern Czech Republic, Sudetes and northern Poland). The studied populations from the Black Forest and from north-eastern and southern Poland are a relic of the former wider distribution of these (periglacial) genetic groups within Swertia perennis. Our results also confirm the existence of biogeographical links between the Carpathians and the Hercynian Range and the Alps. Certainly, there was an exchange of genes between populations located in the eastern Alps, the Carpathians and the Hercynian ranges (Czech Republic, Jeseníky, Sudetes, Ore Mountains). This confirms previous results of comparative studies on the genetic diversity of populations of other vascular plant species.

Seasonal Characteristics of Long-Range Transport and Potential Associated Sources of Particulate Matter (Pm<sub>10</sub>) Pollution at the Station Elk, Poland, on 2021-2022 Data

The current study aimed to determine the potential sources of distant emissions of PM10 particles that significantly affect PM10 levels at a given site in southeastern Baltic. The EEA Air Quality Monitoring Station in Elk City, northeastern Poland, was selected for this study. This station is located approximately 50 km from the border of the Russian exclave (Kaliningrad Region). In this study, the NOAA HYSPLIT_4 trajectory model, potential source contribution function (PSCF), and concentration-weight trajectory (CWT) were employed to investigate the origin of the measured PM10 mass at a receptor site. PSCF and CWT utilize back-trajectory analysis and Lagrangian particle dispersion simulations to reconstruct the advection pathways of air masses arriving at the site. These reconstructed retroplumes provide detailed information regarding the geographic locations traversed by polluted air masses on their way to the receptor. By integrating trajectory information with concurrent pollutant concentration data, the PSCF and CWT enable the identification of potential source regions and quantification of their impact on the observed atmospheric levels. From January 1, 2021, to December 31, 2022, at 200 m the 72h backward trajectories of air masses entering the receptor point were calculated and categorized by clustering them into 5-4-4-5 clusters. Subsequently, the PM10 levels at the Elk site associated with each air mass cluster were examined during the observation period. The seasonal variation in PM10 was generally characterized by a peak in winter and minimum values in summer. PM10 was lower during warmer periods, particularly during summer, and significantly, higher concentrations were observed during colder periods. Cluster analyses showed that airflow followed a seasonal pattern, with different results obtained in different seasons. According to the PSCF and CWT results, in winter and spring, the receptor site was influenced more by long-range PM10 pollution, particularly from heavily industrialized areas in Central-Eastern Europe. In contrast, in summer and autumn, the receptor site was less influenced by long-range pollution. The findings demonstrate that the seasonal distributions of PM10 source areas obtained using these two methods generally share similar characteristics, suggesting the credibility and accuracy of the analytical results.

Parasitic Arthropods of Soricinae Shrews in North-Eastern Poland.

The study of the ectoparasite fauna of the insectivores-Sorex araneus, Sorex minutus, Neomys fodiens, and Neomys anomalus (subfamily Soricinae)-was carried out in three locations in Poland: Białowieża National Park, Kosewo Górne in the Masurian Lake District, and in vicinity of Warsaw. Three species of Ixodidae ticks, eleven species of fleas, and four species of mites from the order Mesostigmata were noted. The most numerous ectoparasites are ticks Ixodes ricinus (larvae), Dermacentor reticulatus (nymphs), and fleas Palaeopsylla soricis, Megabothris walkeri, and Hystrichopsylla orientalis. These species show the highest prevalence and show the highest dominance index. The parasitofauna of S. araneus is much richer in species than other shrew species. The structure and dominance of parasite assemblages differ between locations.

Green tree retention as a conservation tool for the black woodpecker in managed forests

The black woodpecker, Dryocopus martius, a creator of tree cavities, is considered a keystone species and a priority in terms of forest biodiversity conservation. The aim of this paper was to understand how the structure of managed forests impacts the choice of tree for excavating cavities of the black woodpecker. The study was conducted in an extensive forest complex in northeastern Poland dominated by the pine Pinus sylvestris. The parameters of the cavity trees and surrounding forest were analyzed on different levels to determine what trees and stand types were selected by the black woodpecker. In the period from 2018 to 2021, analyses were carried out for 367 cavities excavated in trees growing in forest areas from 0 to 225 years old. The most numerous cavity trees were between 121 and 160 years old. Cavity trees were found in the stands (62%), in the residual forest patches (19%) and in the single trees remaining after logging (19%). Forty-four percent of all cavities were excavated in dead trees. Black woodpecker nesting stands were characterized by lower canopy closures and low understory and shrub layer cover. We did not find a difference between the diameters or the heights of cavity entrances among the black woodpecker nesting trees growing in different habitat types. The black woodpecker is capable of nesting in small fragments of an old stand and even in single old trees growing in clearcut areas. This is due to the high proportion of dead trees in these habitats, which are preferred by woodpeckers for excavating cavities. Leaving patches of old-growth stands in commercial forests positively affects the habitat formation of the black woodpecker and perhaps, as a consequence, that of other animal species that depend on it.

Epigeic Carabids (Coleoptera, Carabidae) as Bioindicators in Different Variants of Scots Pine Regeneration: Implication for Forest Landscape Management

Maintaining biodiversity is one of the factors determining the proper functioning of ecosystems, especially those with high human impact. Ground beetles, as bioindicators, are particularly valuable in understanding ecosystem responses and sustainability in forest and landscape management. Focusing on the regeneration of pine forests, this study aimed to describe ground beetle assemblages on Scots pine natural and artificial regeneration in northeastern Poland. This study was conducted between 2016 and 2018. Pitfall traps were set up for catching epigeic carabids on previously prepared research plots designated for natural and artificial pine regeneration. The research areas included three variants: N—natural pine regeneration, plots without soil preparation; NP—natural pine regeneration with traditional soil preparation by ploughing; and A—artificial pine regeneration with ploughing. Four plots as replicants were selected in each experimental variant, with six pitfall traps in the transects running through the centre of each study plot. In each year of the study, 11 samples were collected from each plot; overall, 33 samples per plot were collected during the three years. As a result of this study, 26,654 ground beetle individuals belonging to 89 species were caught during the three-year observation. Natural regeneration without soil preparation (N) was the most favourable in terms of the occurrence of stabilised assemblages of ground beetles. However, the remaining methods of pine regeneration, on a multi-annual scale (2016–2018), contributed to the increase in the number of ground beetles but also provided high variability in assemblage composition, diversity indices, and life-history traits. Thus, in the early stage of pine regeneration, each of the examined variants of pine regeneration can be used without fear of causing damage to carabid populations. However, further studies are required to investigate the effect of different pine regeneration types on carabid beetle assemblages over a longer period.

Detection of Asian genetic components in autochthonous human Echinococcus multilocularis infections from endemic Warmia-Masuria (north-eastern Poland)

Alveolar echinococcosis is a life-threatening zoonotic disease caused by the larval stage of the cestode Echinococcus multilocularis. People are aberrant intermediate hosts accidentally infected with the parasite eggs via faecal-oral route, usually by the consumption of unwashed fruit and vegetable or direct contact with definitive hosts. The recently reported presence of Asian admixture in E. multilocularis tapeworms from Polish red foxes prompted the question of metacestode descent in the human population. In this study, a Maximum Likelihood tree based on partial sequences of E. multilocularis mitochondrial genes cox1, cob, and nad2 coupled with a hierarchical clustering analysis of microsatellite EmsB profiles and supplemented by Sammon's nonlinear mapping with k-means clustering revealed Asian genetic components, to date associated only with the sylvatic cycle, in two autochthonous samples from alveolar echinococcosis patients living in endemic Warmia-Masuria, north-eastern Poland. The red fox is the most likely source of contamination in the environment shared by people and wildlife that led to these infections. Our results confirm that Asian genetic variants participate in the synanthropic cycle in north-eastern Poland and indicate that they may be present in the human population in other areas where Asian genetic variants were detected in red foxes.

West Nile Virus Lineage 2 in Free-Living Corvus cornix Birds in Poland.

The summer temperatures recorded in Poland in 2022 were among the highest in over 30 years and, combined with higher-than-expected rainfall, gave the impression of an almost tropical climate. Such climatic conditions were ideal for the transmission of vector-borne zoonotic diseases such as West Nile fever. In northeastern Poland, in the Mazowieckie region, the Polish event-based surveillance network reported increased fatalities of free-living hooded crows (Corvus corone cornix). West Nile virus (WNV) lineage 2 was identified for the first time as the etiological agent responsible for the death of the birds. WNV was detected in 17 out of the 99 (17.17%) free-living birds tested in this study. All the WNV-infected dead birds were collected in the same area and were diagnosed in September by the NVRI and confirmed by the EURL for equine diseases, ANSES, in October 2022. Unnaturally high temperatures recorded in Poland in 2022 likely favored the infection and spread of the virus in the avian population. A nationwide alert and awareness raising of blood transfusion centers and hospitals was carried out to prevent human infections by WNV.

Biometric characteristics of winter rape plants (Brassica napus L.) before harvest in the soil and climatic conditions of north-eastern Poland.

The research was based on a field experiment carried out in the Agricultural Experimental Station in the climatic and soil conditions of north-eastern Poland. The factors of the experiment were: I-morphotypes of winter oilseed rape: population, restored hybrid with a traditional type of growth, restored hybrid with a semi-dwarf type of growth. II-methods of using preparations: variant (1)-control-without using preparations; variant (2)-an organic preparation containing microorganisms as well as micro and macro elements (Ugmax); variant (3)-a biostimulant containing 13.0% of P₂0₅ and 5.0% of potassium oxide (K₂O); variant (4)-a biostimulant containing silicon. The objectives of study was to determine the effect of preparations containing microorganisms as this well as micro and macro-elements, phosphorus and potassium and silicon on the morphometric features of plants, such as: the height of the first fruit-bearing lateral branching on the main shoot, the thickness of the stem at the base, number of productive branches and siliques on the plant, the length of the pods, plant height before harvesting. The organic preparation containing microorganisms as well as micro and macro-elements, applied in the autumn before sowing seeds and in the spring after the start of vegetation, had the most beneficial effect on the biometric characteristics of plants before harvesting.

Individual differentiation of habitat preferences indicate high flexibility in habitat use by European bison (Bison bonasus)

A typical challenge in studies on habitat selection is the creation of a global model at a population level. We focus upon an aspect frequently neglected in studies on habitat preferences - individual variability resulting from the ecological plasticity of a species. We studied European bison (wisent) Bison bonasus, inhabiting Białowieska Forest (north-eastern Poland), using data from GPS collars fitted on 11 individuals observed during 12–48 months, and demonstrated that habitat selection patterns in this population are highly variable. Even seasonal changes in habitat preference did not mitigate individual variability - during the same months, particular individuals of the same sex preferred certain habitats which were avoided by others. Therefore, even with fuzzy analysis, it was not possible to create clear rules for predicting habitat preferences for a given individual; only general patterns can be specified for seasonal avoidance of some habitats, rather than their positive selection. Hence, flexibility in habitat selection should be considered in planning the reintroduction of this species into new sites because it could considerably enhance the assumed available spectrum of suitable habitats. Moreover, since the natural dispersion of animals is not limited to forest complexes, new challenges for conservation as well as new limiting factors resulting from social conflicts could appear which should be taken into account in conservation planning, especially in agricultural areas.

Spatial Patterns in the Distribution and Diversity of Diploneis Genus-Level Diatoms in the Podlasie Springs (North-Eastern Poland)

This research is focused on the presence of the genus Diploneis (Bacillariopyta) in small lowland springs of north-eastern Poland. This study presents a biogeographic overview of the genus from 2 urban and 12 forest springs in the Podlasie area. Seven species were identified, some of which have been described recently and whose distribution is not well-known (D. burgitensis, D. fontium). The presence of D. burgitensis and D. parapetersenii, both rare taxa, are the first recorded for Poland. Their presence was confirmed using both LM and SEM micrographs. The presence of much more frequently noted European species (D. elliptica, D. fontanella, D. krammeri, and D. separanda) was also found. Greater knowledge of the Diploneis genus opens the way towards better and more comprehensive approaches to uncovering biological diversity and biogeographical patterns on the European continent and among the springs. The distribution of all recorded Diploneis species and their habitat preferences are briefly given.

Quantitative evaluation of Fusarium species and crop quality traits in wheat varieties of northeastern Poland

Quantitative evaluation of Fusarium species and crop quality traits in wheat varieties of northeastern Poland

An Analysis of the Risk Factors for Postural Defects among Early School-Aged Children.

This study was conducted on a group of 141 children aged 7-10, attending the first to third grades at a primary school in Białystok (northeastern Poland). This study involved measuring the children's height and weight, assessing the children's body posture based on the FITS method (Functional Individual Scoliosis Therapy) by Białek and M'hango (the authors of this study), and administering a diagnostic survey addressed to parents and guardians of the children (n = 104) using a self-designed questionnaire. Almost all defects were more prevalent in boys, especially in the case of stature triangles (p = 0.0489) and knee alignment in the sagittal plane (p = 0.038). The age of the subjects differentiated the incidence of defects in the scapulae (p = 0.0037) and shoulder (p = 0.0129) alignment, correlating negatively with age. The risk of postural defects for knees (p = 0.0391) and abdominal arching (p = 0.0240) was significant with a higher BMI. The following lifestyle-related factors were significant: the seat for doing homework (stature triangles p = 0.0253), time spent in front of a computer (positioning of the scapulae in relation to each other p = 0.0233; vertical view of the intergluteal cleft p = 0.0324), and snacking between meals (feet p = 0.0003; shoulder positioning p = 0.0013; stature triangles p = 0.0186; positioning of the scapulae in relation to each other p = 0.0404). The body posture of the examined children was closed with the head pushed forward and drooped, rounded shoulders, hyperlordosis, and pelvic anteversion. Most exhibited various types of abnormalities related to the feet. The recognized risk factors for posture defects are overweight/obesity, the male gender, children who are older, lack of an adjustable work chair, 2 h a day or more spent using the computer, and snacking between meals.

Effect of nature protection and management of grassland on biodiversity – Case from big flooded river valley (NE Poland)

Agriculturally used meadows are habitats whose biodiversity depends on anthropogenic disturbances such as fertilization or mowing. Intensified agricultural practices (too frequent mowing, use of mineral fertilizers and insecticides) lead to declines in the abundance and species diversity of the biota inhabiting them. The intensification of agricultural production in north-eastern Poland relates primarily to the increase in cattle numbers and the intensification of grassland management, but many areas were included in Natura 2000 network. Our study was aimed at indicating the impact of diverse use of meadows on the species richness and diversity of invertebrates, amphibians, and birds in the grasslands of Narew river valley, Special Bird Protection Area, where the intensification of grassland use was noted in the last decades, and part of the meadows was included in the agri-environmental program. The agri-environmental program is a very good tool for the protection of grassland biotic diversity. The highest taxonomic richness and diversity of the studied animal groups were found in meadows included in these programs with extensive use, while the lowest was in the over- and intensively used meadows fertilized with mineral fertilizers and liquid manure. Only the meadows in the agri-environment program were inhabited by the fire-bellied toad and the tree frog - amphibians from Annex IV of the Habitats Directive. The number of breeding bird species globally threatened (IUCN Red List), listed in Annex I of the EU Birds Directive, and with negative population trend in Europe (SPEC1–3) was highest in meadows included in EU conservation programs. The main factors reducing biotic diversity in the grassland of flooded river valley were the high number of grassland mowing per season, intensive fertilization, especially with liquid manure, the great distance of meadows to the river, low soil humidity, and low share of shrubs and trees in the meadows border zone.

Escherichia albertii as a Potential Enteropathogen in the Light of Epidemiological and Genomic Studies.

Escherichia albertii is a new enteropathogen of humans and animals. The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence and pathogenicity of E. albertii strains isolated in northeastern Poland using epidemiological and genomic studies. In 2015-2018, a total of 1154 fecal samples from children and adults, 497 bird droppings, 212 food samples, 92 water samples, and 500 lactose-negative E. coli strains were tested. A total of 42 E. albertii strains were isolated. The PCR method was suitable for their rapid identification. In total, 33.3% of E. albertii isolates were resistant to one antibiotic, and 16.7% to two. Isolates were sensitive to cefepime, imipenem, levofloxacin, gentamicin, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, and did not produce ESBL β-lactamases. High genetic variability of E. albertii has been demonstrated. In the PFGE method, 90.5% of the strains had distinct pulsotypes. In MLST typing, 85.7% of strains were assigned distinct sequence types (STs), of which 64% were novel ST types. Cytolethal distending toxin (CDT) and Paa toxin genes were found in 100% of E. albertii isolates. Genes encoding toxins, IbeA, CdtB type 2, Tsh and Shiga (Stx2f), were found in 26.2%, 9.7%, 1.7%, and 0.4% of E. albertii isolates, respectively. The chromosome size of the tested strains ranged from 4,573,338 to 5,141,010 bp (average 4,784,003 bp), and at least one plasmid was present in all strains. The study contributes to a more accurate assessment of the genetic diversity of E. albertii and the potential threat it poses to public health.

A comparison of the quality of meat from female red deer (Cervus elaphus L.) and roe deer (Capreolus capreolus L.)

The aim of this study was to compare the chemical composition and physicochemical and sensory properties of meat (m. longissimus lumborum, LL) from wild-living female red deer (Cervus elaphus L.) aged 4 - 6 years (15 animals) and female roe deer (Capreolus capreolus L.) aged 3 - 5 years (20 animals). The animals were hunter-harvested in the forests of north-eastern Poland. The LL muscle of roe deer was characterized by a higher (P0.05) content of dry matter, total protein and fat, and a higher (P0.05) pH value. In turn, the LL muscle of red deer had a higher (P0.05) contribution of redness and yellowness, a more intense (P0.05) taste, and higher (P0.05) juiciness scores. The quality of meat from both cervid species was very high, and none of them can be considered superior in that respect based on the noted differences.

Seroprevalance of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in the IgG class in hospitalized children in the north-eastern part of Poland in 2021.

In children, SARS-CoV-2 infection may manifest with symptoms of fever, cough, muscle pain, diarrhea or waste smell and taste. However, in most cases it is mild or asymptomatic. Determination of the level of anti-SARS CoV-2 IgG antibodies in children enables to assess retrospectively the incidence of the SARS-CoV-2 infection among children. The aim of the research was to analyze the results of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in the IgG class contained in children hospitalized in north-eastern Poland in 2021. The material for the study was venous blood collected once from children hospitalized in Children's University Hospital in Białystok in 2021. The results obtained from 615 children aged from 1 month to 11 years were analyzed. Determination of the level of antibodies was performed using the automated SARS-COV-2 IgG II test on the VIDAS® analyzer. The analysis of the results of the anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG value showed that half of children (52%, n=319) had contact with SARS-CoV-2 virus of which approximately 15% (n=47) had documented infection with this virus. There was no difference in the frequency of infections among boys and girls, antibodies were detected in 51% and 53%, respectively. The highest percentage of positive results was observed in children aged 7 to 10 years, 62% (91/147). The least children with a positive result were in the group below 1 year of age, 24% (4/17). High values of the antibody index (>15.00) were most often found among younger children, aged 1-2 years. The presented results showed that infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus does not depend on the sex of children but the value of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies decreased with the age of the child.

The role of old towns in small Warmian towns in shaping the region’s cultural landscape

Motives: The historical urban layout and architectural design of old towns significantly contribute to the cultural landscape of small towns and the region. The main aim of this study was to evaluate the role of historical spatial structures in the development of the local cultural landscape. The study was conducted in small Medieval towns in the Region of Warmia in north-eastern Poland. The extent to which the architectural design of historical urban structures, in particular architectural landmarks, influences the local landscape was analyzed.Aim: The described research goals were achieved with the use of several research methods. The study demonstrated that the Medieval spatial urban layout of old towns, including architectural landmarks, significantly influences the region’s cultural landscape and contributes to a strong sense of local identity. The results suggest that historical architecture and urban layout can contribute to the economic development of small towns.Results: The results indicate that well-preserved historical urban structures can contribute to the economic growth of small towns and effective promotion of regions.

Is Diversified Crop Rotation an Effective Non-Chemical Strategy for Protecting Triticale Yield and Weed Diversity?

Diversified crop rotation (DCR) has re-gained attention worldwide as a non-chemical practice for increasing the sustainability of cereal production systems. This study focused on comparing the effects of two weed management strategies, DCR (the six-field system: potato–oat–fiber flax–winter rye–faba bean–winter triticale) without the application of a herbicide (DCR strategy) and with the application of a herbicide (DCR + H strategy) on the yield of winter triticale and on the biomass and species, taxonomic, and functional diversities of weed communities. In addition, the responses of two triticale cultivars, Trapero and Borowik, to the weed management strategies were evaluated. Data from five growing seasons (2017–2021) of a long-term experiment (Bałcyny, northeastern Poland) are presented. The DCR strategy proved less effective in protecting the triticale yield than DCR + H but provided greater weed species, taxonomic and functional diversities. Borowik had a higher yield and responded to herbicide abandonment with a lower yield loss. When the DCR strategy was used, Borowik was more competitive against weeds than Trapero without reducing weed diversity. The triticale yield correlated negatively with weed biomass and diversity, and weed diversity and weed biomass were positively correlated. The findings show that winter triticale can be grown in DCR without the application of a herbicide if a high-yield, competitive cultivar such as Borowik is used. Growing such a cultivar under DCR conditions without the application of a herbicide promotes weed diversity; however, in years with less favorable weather conditions, it may be necessary to accept a moderately lower yield compared to the yield provided with herbicide protection. The relationship between weed diversity and weather conditions is a subject for further research.

The White-Tailed Eagle, the Apex Predator, Adjusts Diet towards Larger Prey in Suboptimal Territories

The White-tailed eagle, an apex predator, is currently recovering its populations across Europe and has already reached high numbers in many countries. This led to the saturation of eagles in optimal habitats and their encroachment on suboptimal ones. We aimed to compare the diet of White-tailed eagles in optimal and suboptimal conditions in northeastern Poland to investigate how population development affected prey composition, which is expected to be lacking in suboptimal eagle territories. We have monitored eagle nests with trail cameras to investigate their diet objectively and precisely. In order to compare territories of different quality, we have conducted modeling of habitat suitability using data on nest locations prior to their saturation. Using recorded photos of the prey, we measured their size and estimated their weight to check if the size and biomass of the prey are comparable between optimal and suboptimal territories. We found that eagles in the latter conditions were not limited by prey biomass but turned to alternative prey and brought larger prey. The alternative prey were large birds such as White storks and Common cranes, but also chicks of other avian predators that were robbed from their nests. Most probably, eagles cope with a lack of optimal prey by ranging farther and exploring non-optimal foraging habitats. We conclude that the diet flexibility of White-tailed eagle enables him to still increase its numbers despite already high densities. Our study also shows that this species might possibly impact the White stork population, as seen in the case of the Black stork and some seabird species.

Spatial mapping of the leaf area index using remote sensing and ground measurements – the Biebrza National Park case study

The purpose of the described research was an attempt to estimate the leaf area index (LAI) parameter describing the structure of the vegetation based on the Landsat 5TM satellite imagery and field measurements made with the use of an optical plant canopy analyzer. The study was carried out in north-eastern Poland in the Biebrza river valley within the boundaries of the Biebrza National Park during the growing season of the year 2007. There were 13 spectral indices given in the literature known to be correlated with the LAI. The highest coefficient of determination and the highest correlation coefficient were obtained for the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and the soil adjusted vegetation index (SAVI) indices for the wetland areas in the Biebrza river valley. The field measurements of the leaf area index and its spatial representation on satellite image show that the vegetation of natural river valleys is characterized by high spatial and seasonal variability. The study of the LAI on such large natural areas that are extensively used also requires knowledge of the methods of land use and the application of individual agrotechnical measures.