Pieniny National Park Research Articles

Morphodiversity as a Tool in Geoconservation: A Case Study in a Mountain Area (Pieniny Mts, Poland)

Verification and delimitation of existing and new surface forms of nature conservation require objective tools that elevate the significance of the conducted evaluations. If our main goal is to preserve biodiversity, it can be ensured through challenging-to-implement practices of human neutrality towards the environment or activities promoting sustainable development that consider the provision of diverse abiotic habitat conditions. For mountainous areas, where the species diversity of plants and animals is strongly linked to the terrain morphology, an analysis of morphodiversity can provide valuable insights. This study examines the morphodiversity of the Pieniny Mts region (southern Poland) in fundamental fields using three mathematical models and various morphometric indicators. The evaluation of existing conservation forms and proposed changes in the analysis were dependent not solely on morphodiversity but also on its autocorrelation. Hot Spot Analysis and Local Indicator of Spatial Association methods were employed, investigating the intensity of spatial clustering of areas with low and high morphodiversity values. Areas with high morphodiversity clustering were defined as justifying legal protection, while those belonging to clusters of fields with low parameter values were considered not to require conservation. Additional insights were gained through the analysis of hot and cold spots, representing fields with high or low morphodiversity surrounded by clusters of fields with contrasting values. The conducted research allowed for the proposing of significant spatial changes for the Pieniny National Park and its adjacent areas to ensure the preservation of high morphodiversity and, consequently, biodiversity.

PROCESY SUFOZYJNE NA TERENIE PIENIŃSKIEGO PARKU NARODOWEGO NA PRZYKŁADZIE STWIERDZONEGO ZAPADLISKA

Aim of the study: The aim of the study was to determine the range and conditions for the formation of the piping hole and the piping canal found in the Pieniny National Park in May 2019. Material and methods: The scope of the research carried out included the determination of the geotechnical characteristics of subsoil on the slope near the piping hole and along the piping canal. Numerical calculations with the finite element method were also carried out in the GeoStudio program, which allowed to assess the possibilities of soil deformation caused by the seepage forces. Results and conclusions: The results of the research and the analysis of the literature showed that the piping processes in the Polish Carpathians are a common phenomenon that plays a sculptural role. The observed piping form indicates that on the slope is a continuous, several dozen meters long, piping channel formed in medium-cohesive, clay-dusty soils. It should be expected that during periods of prolonged or intense rainfall such phenomena will intensify. The calculation results did not confirm the occurrence of conditions favoring the formation of hydraulic deformations. However, during the increased filtration flow, high values of the hydraulic gradient in the soil are generated, which, in the case of high porosity of the soil, favors the removal of soil particles. The occurring process of piping on the slope in question is favored by the presence of a wooden through from which water infiltrates the ground, which increases the intensity of in-soil flow in the analyzed part of the slope.

Catch Effectiveness Revealed by Site-Related Differences in Capture-Mark-Recapture Methods: A Butterfly Metapopulation Study.

Understanding metapopulation structures is very important in the context of ecological studies and conservation. Crucial in this respect are the abundances of both the whole metapopulation and its constituent subpopulations. In recent decades, capture-mark-recapture studies have been considered the most reliable means of calculating such abundances. In butterfly studies, individual insects are usually caught with an entomological net. But the effectiveness of this method can vary for a number of reasons: differences between fieldworkers, in time, between sites etc. This article analyses catch effectiveness data with respect to two subpopulations of the Apollo butterfly (Parnassius apollo) metapopulation in the Pieniny National Park (Polish Carpathians). The results show that this parameter varied significantly between sites, probably because of differences in microrelief and plant cover. In addition, a method is proposed that will include information on catch effectiveness for estimating the sizes of particular subpopulations and will help to elucidate the structure of the entire metapopulation.

Economy, State, and Society as an Interpretative Triad of Attitudes towards Protected Areas among its Residents. On the Example of Pieniny National Park in Poland

This article addresses the issue of the attitude of local people towards protected areas. The subject of the analysis is a special area—the Pieniny National Park in Poland, which is an interesting mosaic of natural and man-made ecosystems. These areas stand out in terms of their historical heritage. The aim of the article is not only to create a descriptive analysis of the issue, but also to present an innovative structure of the diagnosis, which serves to solve the problem of adjustment of the basic spheres of human activity to the areas of natural value. The article therefore consists of two interrelated parts. In the first one, a theoretical structure is presented, built on the basis of key interpretative areas for the discussed issue: economy, state and society. The second part is a report from the conducted research, which supplements the basic concept with attempts at original systematization of the obtained results.

The long-term effect of over-supplementation on recovered populations: why restraint is a virtue

AbstractWe present a long-term analysis of the results of the Apollo butterflyParnassius apollorecovery project in the Pieniny National Park, southern Poland, using a classical population ecology model. Six possible theoretical models of changes in population abundance were constructed and their predictions compared with current data. Models that did not take into account supplementation with captive-reared individuals provided the best fit to the population growth pattern during recovery. This was probably because of the introduction of captive-reared specimens to sites while habitat reconstruction was taking place. In addition, we provide data supporting the hypothesis that a significant reduction in the habitat's carrying capacity occurred during the restoration project, probably as a result of the population being over-supplemented with captive-reared individuals. Our analysis shows that for a recovery project to be successful, captive breeding and habitat restoration should be properly coordinated.

Myxomycete-Coleoptera associations in the Polish Carpathians

ABSTRACT Few papers have been published on the interactions between slime moulds and beetles in Europe. The available knowledge was usually acquired incidentally to mycological studies and concerns common and easily identifiable slime moulds. The beetles in those studies were frequently identified to genus only, and sometimes only selected families were studied. In 2018–2019, a comprehensive survey of Myxomycete-Coleoptera associations was carried out in the Pieniny National Park (Carpathians, S Poland). A total of 164 sporocarps from 30 species of slime moulds were examined, and beetles were found in 112 sporocarps of 23 slime mould species. The sporocarps were inhabited by 674 individuals from 37 species of beetles. To date, this is the most comprehensive study of beetles associated with slime moulds in Europe.

Succession from meadow to mature forest: Impacts on soil biological, chemical and physical properties—Evidence from the Pieniny Mountains, Poland

Long-term human agricultural activity in the Carpathian region created meaningful landscape transformations; for example, valuable and high-biodiversity, semi-natural areas were formed. Subsequently, socioeconomic changes after World War II started a trend of decreasing agricultural activity and pasturing, as well as the abandonment of higher-altitude and more-difficult-to-access meadows. As a result, in many cases, landscape transformation, such as secondary forest succession, began to occur. This study examined the influence of natural forest succession by comparing a semi-natural meadow to a 25-year-old forest succession area and an old-growth forested area, taking into account selected soil physical, chemical and biological properties. The study sought to answer the following questions: where are the greater carbon stocks found — in meadows, forest successions or old-growth forests?; does soil microbial activity change during succession?; and does succession cause changes in soil physical properties? The research area was located in Pieniny National Park in southern Poland. No significant differences in the amount of carbon stock or the microbial activity (i.e. microbial biomass carbon content and dehydrogenase activity) were found among the meadow, succession and old-growth forest soil samples. However, the old-growth forest soils showed a much higher invertase activity than the succession and meadow soils. Nevertheless, when we took into consideration variables associated with the microbial properties, and placed these into an ordination space, more visible differences among the meadow, succession and forest samples became apparent. Thus, any discussion of land use in mountainous areas should take multiple aspects into account.

Interrelationship between soil depth and soil properties of Pieniny National Park forest (Poland)

The purpose of this research was to investigate the relationship between soil biota such as microbial activity, soil fauna (e.g., earthworms and enchytraeids), and soil physical and chemical properties. The study area was located in Pieniny National Park (PNP) in the Carpathian Mountains in southern Poland. Soil samples were collected from six forest monitoring areas of PNP from two soil layers (at 0–15 cm and 15–30 cm down, respectively). The investigated soils were classified to eutric cambisols and had silt or silt loam soil texture. Upon analysis, soil aggregate stability index was connected with other physical, chemical, and biological soil properties. It was noted that the stability index of 3 mm to 5 mm soil aggregates influenced pH and dissolved organic carbon. The stability index of 2 mm to 3 mm soil aggregates was positively correlated with dissolved organic carbon, soil moisture, microbial biomass carbon, total organic carbon, total nitrogen, and enchytraeid density, and negatively correlated with bulk density, particle density, porosity, and permanent wilting point. The stability index of 1 mm to 2 mm soil aggregates was positively correlated with total nitrogen, enchytraeid and earthworm density and negatively correlated with particle density, porosity, and permanent wilting point. The study has shown what factors create a stable soil structure in the forest soils of PNP.

Do mowing regimes affect plant and soil biological activity in the mountain meadows of Southern Poland?

The soil biological activity of mountain meadows is a significant factor that determines the health and utility of these regions. The climax stage of this area is forest, but to maintain semi-natural grassland, which is characterised by high biodiversity, low-intensity land use (mowing or grazing) is necessarily required. To understand the effect of various mowing regimes on the soil biological activity and plants, the soil microbial activity (microbial biomass carbon, dehydrogenase activity and number of the cultivable fraction of soil microbial community), annelids community (density and species composition earthworms and enchytraeids) and plant species composition were investigated. The study area was located in the Pieniny National Park in the Carpathian Mountains, in a meadow belonging to the association Dactylis glomerata-Poa trivialis. The investigated variants were divided according to mowing regime: traditional scything - hand mowing (HM), mechanical mowing (MM), or the abandonment of mowing - non-mowing (NM). The microbial activities (expressed by, e.g. microbial biomass carbon and the number of phosphorus bacteria) were affected by the mowing regime. The density of earthworms was higher in the HM and MM than in the NM variants. The largest changes in plant species composition were caused by the abandonment of mowing (NM). The mean number of plant species was positively correlated with soil moisture, earthworm density, and microbial activity (expressed indirectly by dehydrogenases activity). The soil microbial community, such as vegetative bacteria forms and ammonifying bacteria, were positively associated with pH value, and the microbial and total organic carbon content. The results presented here indicate that there is no single form of optimal management for all living organisms. Decisions about mowing regimes, or abandonment of use, should be preceded by multi-aspect studies, including plants and soil biota.

Genetic and phenotypic relationships among Pinus sylvestris populations in the Pieniny National Park

The phenotypic and genetic relationships among five Pinus sylvestris populations in the western part of the Carpathian Mountains were analyzed based on seven morphological needle traits and 67 loci using 10 RAPD primers. Three of the studied populations were on the western side (Macelowa Gora, Czubatka, Łazowa Skalka) and two were located in the central part (Sokolica, Zamkowa Gora) of the Pieniny National Park. The examined populations had short needles, which is characteristic for mountain habitats of the Scots pine. The populations from the Pieniny Mts. had fewer rows of stomata on both sides of the needles than others studied stands of Eurosiberian Scots pine. The number of stomata on both flat and convex sides of the needles was similar to the values observed for populations growing on the nearby Tatra Mountains. Moreover, when these two traits are considered, the populations from Sokolica and Łazowa Skalka share the highest degree of similarity.. Nei’s genetic distances and genetic identities between the populations were calculated on the basis of RAPD loci. The results show that the lowest Nei’s distance exists between the populations from the western part of the Pieniny Mts. – Macelowa Gora and Czubatka, and its central part – Sokolica and Zamkowa Gora, with the highest values recorded between the populations of Zamkowa Gora and Czubatka, and Łazowa Skalka and Czubatka. A similar pattern of phenotypic and genetic relations that was observed between the populations in both regions of the Pieniny Mountains could be the result of planting-seed material sourced from the central Pieniny Mts. in the area of western Pieniny Mts. https://doi.org/10.2298/ABS170525045U Received: May 25, 2017; Revised: October 23, 2017; Accepted: October 23, 2017; Published online: November 27, 2017 How to cite this article: Urbaniak L, Lesiczka P, Gąsiorowska E, Pawlaczyk EM, Androsiuk P, Lewandowska-Wosik A, Voncina G. Genetic and phenotypic relationships among Pinus sylvestris populations in the Pieniny National Park. Arch Biol Sci. 2018;70(2):289-97.

Multiple factors correlating with wing malformations in the population of Parnassius apollo (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae) restituted from a low number of individuals: A mini review.

The Apollo butterfly, Parnassius apollo (Linnaeus), was common in Europe over 100 years ago, but currently it is considered as near threatened. Different conservation programs have promoted the persistence of this species; however, it is still endangered. An example of such programs was the action devoted to reestablish the Apollo butterfly population in Pieniny National Park (Poland) from only 20-30 individuals which had survived till the last decade of the 20th century. This reintroduction has been successful; however, unexpected developmental problems appeared. Butterflies with deformed or reduced wings became frequent in the population living in the natural habitat, and particularly among those reared under seminatural conditions (in the same environment, but fenced by a net). Until recently, reasons for these malformations remained unknown. However, reports published during last months indicated that there are genetic, biochemical, and microbiological factors contributing to this phenomenon. In the malformed individuals, lesions in the wingless gene and dysfunctions of laccase 1 and 2 were found to be significantly more frequent than in normal insects. A large fraction of butterflies with deformed or reduced wings was devoid of the prokaryotic symbiont Wolbachia, which was present in most normal individuals. Moreover, Yersinia pseudotuberculosis (Pfeiffer) Smith and Thal, and Serratia sp., bacteria pathogenic to insects, were detected in the biological material from both normal and malformed butterflies from this population. These findings are summarized and discussed in this review, in the light of conservation of insects and restitution of their populations from a low number of individuals.

Trophic conditions of forest soils of the Pieniny National Park, southern Poland

Abstract The primary objective of this study was to characterise the edaphic conditions of forest areas in the Pieniny National Park (PNP), and to describe the dependencies between properties of forest soils and types of forest plant communities. The “Soil Trophic Index” (SIGg) for mountainous areas was applied. The evaluation of the trophism for 74 forest monitoring employed the soil trophic index for mountainous areas SIGg or SIGgo. Plant communities in the forest monitoring areas were classified according to the Braun-Blanquet’s phytosociological method. Soils of PNP present in the forest monitoring areas were mostly classified as eutrophic brown soils (72.9%), rendzinas (10.8%), brown rendzinas (5.41%), and rubble initial soils (5.41%). Pararendzinas, dystrophic brown soils, and gley soils were less common (total below 5.5%). In the forest monitoring areas of PNP, eutrophic soils predominate over mesotrophic soils. High SIGg index of the soils is caused by high values of acidity and nitrogen content. The Carpathian beech forest Dentario glandulosae-Fagetum and thermophilic beech forest Carici albae-Fagetum associations are characterised by high naturalness and compatibility of theoretical habitats. The soils of the Carpathian fir forest Dentario glandulosae-Fagetum abietetosum subcommunity is characterised by a higher share of silt and clay particles and lower acidity as compared to the Carpathian beech forest Dentario glandulosae-Fagetum typicum subcommunity. The soils of the forest monitoring areas in PNP stand out in terms of their fertility against forest soils in other mountainous areas in Poland.

Variability of morphological, physical and chemical properties of soils derived from carbonate-rich parent material in the Pieniny Mountains (south Poland)

Abstract Carbonate-rich soils are characterized by great diversity in content of carbonate and non-carbonate mineral substances in soil substrate which largely influences soil properties. The study presents the analysis results of four soil profiles located at the area of Pieniny National Park. The aim of this study was to characterize and classify the soils developed from the mixture of carbonate and carbonate-rich rock material, formerly classified as pararendzinas. It was achieved by determination of morphological, physical, and chemical properties, as well as mineralogical composition of selected carbonate-rich soils occurring in the Polish part of the Pieniny Mts. Soils were classified as typical chernozemic rendzina (P1), typical eutrophic brown soils (P2, P4), as well as typical pararendzina (P3) according to Polish Soil Classification (2011). The parent material of studied soils P1, P2 and P4 were slope covers, with a dominant share of sandstone and minor share of limestone, whereas soil P3 was formed from variegated shale cut with multiple calcite veins. Soils were characterized by stable aggregate structure: crumby, angular blocky and subangular blocky. They were medium or strong skeletal, mostly with loam texture with great share of silt fraction. CaCO3 content in genetic horizons ranged from 0.0 to 703.0 g·kg-1. The reaction of studied soils was from weakly acidic to alkaline. Analysed soils were characterized by very high base saturation. Among determined exchangeable cations, Ca2+ ions had the biggest share in all analysed profile. High base saturation, as well as high content of calcium carbonate was accompanied by content of organic matter and percentage content of clay fraction. Taking into consideration determined chemical and physical properties, it can be found that investigated soils were influenced by not only the in-situ weathering material but also by rock material which have been transported and deposited as a result of slope processes. Furthermore, the lack or lower content of CaCO3 in surface and middle part of analysed soil profiles was most likely a result of the impoverishment of rock material during the transport on the slope.

Lesions in the wingless gene of the Apollo butterfly (Parnassius apollo, Lepidoptera: Papilionidae) individuals with deformed or reduced wings, coming from the isolated population in Pieniny (Poland)

Parnassius apollo (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae) is a butterfly species which was common in Europe in 19th century, but now it is considered as near threatened. Various programs devoted to protect and save P. apollo have been established, between others the one in Pieniny National Park (Poland). An isolated population of this butterfly has been restored there from a small group of 20–30 individuals in early 1990s. However, deformations or reductions of wings occur in this population in a relatively large number of insects, and the cause of this phenomenon is not known. In this report, the occurrence of lesions in the wingless (wg) gene is demonstrated in most of tested butterflies with deformed or reduced wings, but not in normal insects. Although the analyses indicated that wg lesion(s) cannot be the sole cause of the deformed or reduced wings in the population of P. apollo from Pieniny, the discovery that this genetic defect occurs in most of malformed individuals, can be considered as an important step in understanding this phenomenon.

Changes is genes coding for laccases 1 and 2 may contribute to deformation and reduction of wings in apollo butterfly (Parnassius apollo, Lepidoptera: Papilionidae) from the isolated population in Pieniny National Park (Poland).

An isolated population of apollo butterfly (Parnassius apollo, Lepidoptera: Papilionidae) occurs in Pieniny National Park (Poland). Deformations and reductions of wings in a relatively large number of individuals from this population is found, yet the reasons for these defects are unknown. During studies devoted to identify cause(s) of this phenomenon, we found that specific regions of genes coding of enzymes laccases 1 and 2 could not be amplified from DNA samples isolated from large fractions of malformed insects while expected PCR products were detected in almost all (with one exception) normal butterflies. Laccases (p-diphenol:dioxygen oxidoreductases) are oxidases containing several copper atoms. They catalyse single-electron oxidations of phenolic or other compounds with concomitant reduction of oxygen to water. In insects, their enzymatic activities were found previously in epidermis, midgut, Malpighian tubules, salivary glands, and reproductive tissues. Therefore, we suggest that defects in genes coding for laccases might contribute to deformation and reduction of wings in apollo butterflies, though it seems obvious that deficiency in these enzymes could not be the sole cause of these developmental improperties in P. apollo from Pieniny National Park.

A lack of Wolbachia-specific DNA in samples from apollo butterfly (Parnassius apollo, Lepidoptera: Papilionidae) individuals with deformed or reduced wings.

Various insects contain maternally inherited endosymbiotic bacteria which can cause reproductive alterations, modulation of some physiological responses (like immunity, heat shock response, and oxidative stress response), and resistance to viral infections. In butterflies, Wolbachia sp. is the most frequent endosymbiont from this group, occurring in about 30 % of species tested to date. In this report, the presence of Wolbachia-specific DNA has been detected in apollo butterfly (Parnassius apollo). In the isolated population of this insect occurring in Pieniny National Park (Poland), malformed individuals with deformed or reduced wings appear with an exceptionally high frequency. Interestingly, while total DNA isolated from most (about 85 %) normal insects contained Wolbachia-specific sequences detected by PCR, such sequences were absent in a large fraction (70 %) of individuals with deformed wings and in all tested individuals with reduced wings. These results indicate for the first time the correlation between malformation of wings and the absence of Wolbachia sp. in insects. Although the lack of the endosymbiotic bacteria cannot be considered as the sole cause of the deformation or reduction of wings, one might suggest that Wolbachia sp. could play a protective role in the ontogenetic development of apollo butterfly.

Macromycetes of meadows in Pieniny National Park

The investigations were performed in the years 1968-1972 in the area of forest meadows (<i>Anthvllido-Triofolietum</i> and <i>Nardetum strictae</i>) on northern mountain slopes in Pieniny National Park. The phenological seasons were distinguished during the year. Attention was paid to the problem of fairy rings and to fungi which form them. The effects of atmospheric conditions on the fruiting of meadow fungi were examined. On 9 sample plots quantitative investigations were performed. Differences in the course of yearly fruiting of fungi between years poor in rainfall and normal ones were demonstrated. The degree of abundance of particular species of fungi was determined by index method of Perkal. The mycoflora of the examined association and the content of mycoflora of Pieniny meadows with meadow fungi of other mountain zones in Poland were compared.

New locality of Ischnoderma corrugis in Poland

A new locality of the species <i>Ischnoderma corrugis</i> (Fr.) Domań et Orlicz in Poland is resported. It is the second locality of in this country. The first one was reported by Wojewoda in the Ojców National Park. In1070 the fungus was found in Pieniny National Park. Several specimens were growing at the base of dead fir trees in a beech forest - <i>Fagetum carpaticum</i>.

Food plants of burnets (Zygaena F. Lepidopt., Zvgaenidae) and the dying-out of these moths in the Pieniny Mts. (Poland)

The resources of food plants of both the <em>Zygaena</em> F. larvae and imagines are still fairly large in the Pieniny Mts. and Małopolska Upland (Wyżyna Małopolska). but they shrink rapidly in connection with urbanization and the intensification of agriculture. In 1982-1985 the populations of <em>Zygaena angelicae</em> Ochsen., <em>Z. loti</em> (Den. et Schiff ) <em>Z. filipendulae</em> (L.). <em>Z. lonicerae</em> (Schev.). <em>Z. viciae</em>, (Den. et Schiff.). and <em>Z. pupuralis</em> (Bünn.) inel. <em>Z. minos</em> (Den et Schiff.) have been observed. 5 species (<em>Zygaena brizae</em> (Esp.). <em>Z. cynarae</em> (Esp.). <em>Z ephialtes</em> (L.). <em>Z. osterndensis</em> Reiss and <em>Z. trifolii</em> (Esp.)) observed in the Pieniny Mts. in 1950-1960 are extinct. The decrease in the number of <em>Zygaena</em> species and in the size of their populations in the Pieniny Mts. and other regions of this country is caused by changes occurring in biotopes. The dying-out of moths and butterflies in the Pieniny Mts. can be stopped by a conservation of the biotopes characteristic of this region: the overgrowth of clearings and xerothermic plant associations should be prevented, meadows should be mown late in summer (August) and the use of mineral fertilizers_ and insecticides and herbicides should be reduced to a minimum in the Pieniny National Park and at its borders.

Modelling irregular and multimodal tree diameter distributions by finite mixture models: an approach to stand structure characterisation

Tree structural diversity is assessed by modelling stand diameter at breast height (DBH) distribution. The aim of this study was to verify the suitability of a mixture of two- and three-component Weibull and gamma models for describing irregular and multimodal DBH distributions. Investigations were carried out in natural Abies alba Mill. and Fagus sylvatica L. stands, representing the growing-up stage, in the Świętokrzyski National Park (Central Poland) and in the Pieniny National Park (Southern Poland). Sample plots (0.25–0.5 ha in area) were selected from a database used for forest dynamics analysis. The parameters of the mixture model were estimated using maximum likelihood estimation (MLE) and a combination of an expectation–maximisation (EM) algorithm with a Newton-type (NT) method. The multistart method (MM) of choosing initial values was used. The DBH distributions in mixed Abies–Fagus forests of complex structure were accurately approximated by two- and three-component mixture models. The root mean square error (RMSE) values varied from 3.4515 to 7.6682 for the Weibull mixture and from 3.6457 to 7.1419 for the gamma mixture. The results indicated that the mixture Weibull and gamma models were, in general, equally suitable for modelling irregular and multimodal DBH distributions. Finite mixture models may be used to characterise tree structural diversity, especially in uneven-aged stands of complex structure.