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The research was conducted in July 2018 on six oxbow lakes of the San River. A total of 21 samples from various macrophyte species were collected. Over 400 species of diatoms were identified in the analyzed materials, 9 of which belonged to the Rhopalodiaceae family. Most of these Epithemia and Rhopalodia species developed as dominants in most of the studied samples. One of reported species - Epithemia selengaensis Vishnyakov, Kulikovskiy & Genkal was first time reported from Poland. The aim of the study was to present the taxonomic diversity of the representatives of the Rhopalodiaceae family growing different macrophyte species in oxbow lakes in the summer aspect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this work was to present a morphological description and ecological characteristics of a rare species from the Gomphonema genus, occurring in calcium-rich waters, along with its new occurrence sites. The research was carried out in flowing waters of mountain and sub-mountain streams and rivers in Poland: the Wołosaty, the Wisłoka, the San and their tributaries. The occurrence of many rare and new to Polish flora species from the genus Gomphonema was recorded: G. cuneolus E. Reichardt, G. drutelingense E. Reichardt, G. innocens E. Reichardt, G. lateripunctatum E. Reichardt & Lange-Bertalot, G. lippertii E. Reichardt & Lange-Bertalot and G. calcifugum Lange-Bertalot & E. Reichardt. These species occur mostly in alkaline or close-to-neutral waters with medium or low electrolytic conductivity (78-530 μS cm-1), low nutrient content and medium-to-high calcium ion content (12.4-76.4 mg l-1). Despite the rare occurrence in other parts of the world, the studied Gomphonema species has found favorable conditions in unpolluted and calcium-rich stream beds with flysch strata. The literature data define G. calcifugum as a non-calciphilous species, but this study shows that it can develop in a wide pH range and in calcium-rich waters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this work was to investigate the diversity of diatom assemblages developed in the Przyrwa stream, to assess water quality based on benthic diatoms and to make an attempt at the identification of physicochemical factors having the greatest impact on the differentiation of diatom assemblages. Studies were conducted in 2011-2012 on the Przyrwa stream, a left-side tributary of the Wisłok River flowing through the city of Rzeszów and with its spring section located on the borders of the city. A total of 259 diatom taxa were identified in the Przyrwa stream during three studied seasons. At all investigated sites, the most abundant population consisted of Ulnaria ulna (Nitzsch) Compère, Cocconeis pediculus Ehrenb., Achnanthidium minutissimum (Kütz.) Czarnecki var. minutissimum, Navicula gregaria Donkin, Planothidium frequentissimum (Lange-Bert.) Lange-Bert., P. lanceolatum (Brébisson) Lange-Bert., Navicula lanceolata (C. Agardh) Ehrenb., Amphora pediculus (Kütz.) Grunow, Eolimna minima, (Grunow) Lange-Bert., Melosira varians C. Agardh and Cyclotella meneghiniana Kütz. Based on IPS (Specific Pollution Sensitivity Index) and GDI (Generic Diatom Index) indices, the ecological status of the Przyrwa stream was assessed as moderate to poor (mostly III-IV class of water quality), while the TDI (Trophic Diatom Index) index indicated a poor to bad ecological status (mainly IV-V class of water quality). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the first record of Luticola vanheurckii Van de Vijver & Levkov, outside of the type locality (second record in the Europe). Authors present habitat characteristic of the species, with LM and SEM micrographs. Luticola vanheurckii was found in a small outflow of water from storm sewers in Stalowa Wola (SE Poland). Luticola vanheurckii occurred only rarely (0-5 valves per slide), in a small, shallow puddle which was supplied by the water from the outflow. This species was recorded in sediments and on plants submerged in water with a wide range of conductivity (347-22,100 μS cm−1), chloride content (64.56-6195.0 mg l−1) and sodium ions (43.04-3789.1 mg l−1). The cells observed in the examined material were slightly longer and wider than those from type locality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Non-invasive sampling by hair-trapping is increasingly used worldwide in wildlife research. Despite this rise and the potential of hair samples for ecology and conservation studies, the relative performance of hair collection devices has been rarely tested. Here, we compare the effectiveness of five types of hair traps for brown bears Ursus arctos in the Carpathian Mountains (SE Poland) and test the effects of trap type, season, number of days elapsed since trap installation and trap features on the trapping success in order to provide recommendations for optimal sampling in future studies. The trap types were corral, path-trap, “smola”(beechwood tar) tree-trap, turpentine tree-trap and natural rub. In 2010, we collected 858 hair samples during 2330 inspections of 175 hair traps and found that the most effective traps were smola tree-traps (mean percentage of successful inspections ± SD: 30.2% ± 26.0) and natural rubs (50.8% ± 16.7). Based on this finding, over the following 2 years we focused on 24 smola tree-traps and eight natural rubs. During this long-term survey (2010–2012, 969 inspections, 1322 samples collected) the trapping success increased with time and smola tree-traps achieved similar effectiveness to natural rubs (45.5% ± 29.7 and 45.9 ± 23.4, respectively). We show that when baiting smola tree-traps ten weeks prior to research or monitoring, sampling effectiveness can reach up to 30%. Taking into account the logistical and methodological constraints associated with detecting and using natural rubs for a proper survey design, we recommend using smola tree-traps baited in advance for hair sampling in wildlife studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies were conducted on two rivers in SE Poland, the San River and the Wisłoka River, and inside the Solina Dam. Two rare species of Gomphosphenia, G. fontinalis Lange-Bertalot, Ector & Werum and G. holmquistii (Foged) Lange-Bertalot were noted. Gomphosphenia fontinalis was recorded only inside the Solina Dam. Before now, both G. fontinalis and G. holmquistii had only been reported from cold, natural, unpolluted and alkaline waters. Morphological details (light microscope and scanning electron microscope) and ecological characteristics of both species are described and briefly discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The works of literature evaluating the eco-environmental risks posed by metals in agricultural areas in developing countries remains limited. This study sought to evaluate the environmental and ecological risks posed by metals in the intensively cultivated areas of the Amik Plain as well as to determine the origins of the metals. For this purpose, 137 soil samples were taken from agricultural production areas of the Amik Plain, and 11 metals (Al, Fe, Ni, Pb, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Zn, Cd and As) were examined in the samples. As Ni had the highest average enrichment factor (EF) value (8.04) when compared with the other metals, the soils were found to be significantly enriched with Ni. The Pearson correlation analysis and principal component analysis showed that the Zn concentration was controlled by lithogenic sources, while the Ni, Pb, Cd, Cr and Cu concentrations were controlled by both anthropogenic and lithogenic sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flightless Transylvanian Dark Bush-cricket Pholidoptera transsylvanica is subendemic to the Carpathians and the Pannonian basin and one of ten species of European Community interest. In the last few years we have increased survey efforts aimed to obtain distributional data for this species along the northern range margin in Western Carpathian mountains covering most of Slovakia and reaching also south of Poland. Thus in Slovakia, where only 5 sites were known in 1996, 56 sites are known in 2017. The species was discovered for the first time in Poland in July 2017, in two sites in the south-eastern part of the country. Both sites are located in submountain mesophilous meadows of the alliance Arrhenatherion elatioris Luquet 1926, in its various successional stages along mainly mixed forests dominated with European beech and in alluvial vegetation. The presence of the species in these new sites is at the northern edge of its distribution area, and we suppose that only lack of data and no surveys in the past caused this knowledge gap. Data on its habitat and main threats and conservation measures of the species are discussed, and accompanying orthopteran species are characterised. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phytosociological research of the vegetation of Kyiv railways has been completed. Based on the analysis of 379 relevés using modified TWINSPAN and PC-ORD algorithms, it was found that the syntaxonomical structure of the study area includes 7 classes (Artemisietea vulgaris, Festucetea vaginatae, Galio-Urticetea, Plantaginetea majoris, Polygono-Poetea annuae, Robinietea, Stellarietea mediae), 12 orders, 18 alliances, 35 associations, 13 derivate and basal communities. The development of vegetation in man-made habitats leads to its significant complexity. It is manifested by changes in plant associations, their fragmentation and the formation of overgrowth type coenoses dominated by individual plant species. A significant degree of synanthropization, and in particular adventization, of the studied phytocoenoses was established. The participation of highly invasive species reduces local plant diversity and destroys their floristical and phytocoenotic structure. On the other hand, fragmented railway landscapes can function as new habitats or distribution corridors for local natural species. Trends of anthropogenic changes in the vegetation of the railways of Kyiv are the transformation and reduction of areas of natural vegetation, a decrease in its productivity, as well as an increase in the number of derivate plant communities, which are the successive stages of ecosystem development. The ecological features of the vegetation of the railways of the Kyiv urban area are discussed in comparison with the ruderal vegetation outside the railways. Comparative ordination analysis of these phytocoenoses shows that communities on the railways develop in extreme conditions of ecotopes poor on soil moisture and nitrogen content. The results of our research can be used for effective management of biodiversity on railways, and for the monitoring and development of control measures for the spread of non-native species. They can also be useful for sustainable planning and management of urban landscapes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Environmental conditions can influence animal movements, determining when and how much animals move. Yet few studies have quantified how abiotic environmental factors (e.g., ambient temperature, snow depth, precipitation) may affect the activity patterns and metabolic demands of wide-ranging large predators. We demonstrate the utility of accelerometers in combination with more traditional GPS telemetry to measure energy expenditure, ranging patterns, and movement ecology of 5 gray wolves (Canis lupus), a wide-ranging social carnivore, from spring through autumn 2015 in interior Alaska, USA. Results: Wolves exhibited substantial variability in home range size (range 500–8300 km2) that was not correlated with daily energy expenditure. Mean daily energy expenditure and travel distance were 22 MJ and 18 km day−1, respectively. Wolves spent 20% and 17% more energy during the summer pup rearing and autumn recruitment seasons than the spring breeding season, respectively, regardless of pack reproductive status. Wolves were predominantly crepuscular but during the night spent 2.4 × more time engaged in high energy activities (such as running) during the pup rearing season than the breeding season. Conclusion: Integrating accelerometry with GPS telemetry can reveal detailed insights into the activity and energetics of wide-ranging predators. Heavy precipitation, deep snow, and high ambient temperatures each reduced wolf mobility, suggesting that abiotic conditions can impact wolf movement decisions. Identifying such patterns is an important step toward evaluating the influence of environmental factors on the space use and energy allocation in carnivores with ecosystem-wide cascading effects, particularly under changing climatic conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our understanding of the ecological drivers that control community structure of benthic rotifers is poorly known. By reviewing 21 papers on freshwater benthic rotifers we compiled an inventory of an additional 258 species, 27 genera, and six families not previously listed in the review of benthic, lotic rotifers by Ricci and Balsamo (Freshw Biol 44:15–28, 2000). This raises the number of reported benthic species to 416, ~ 23% of all rotifers. Using selected papers within our dataset we tested two hypotheses: (1) Within lakes of different trophic state benthic rotifer communities differ in their species composition and (2) because rotifer trophi types reflect strong specificity for certain foods, there is a difference in the distribution of trophi types in lakes of different trophic state. We found that the trophic state of water bodies influences species composition of benthic rotifers, but there was no significant difference in the distribution of their trophi types. To aid in understanding community assembly of benthic rotifers, we provide a list of knowledge gaps that future studies could address. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is concern that expanding beaver (Castor fiber) populations will negatively impact the important economic, recreational and ecological resources of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) and sea trout (Salmo trutta) populations in Europe. We studied how beaver dams influenced habitat, food resources, growth and movement of juvenile Atlantic salmon and trout on three paired beaver‐dammed and beaver‐free (control) tributaries of important salmon rivers in central Norway. Lotic reaches of beaver‐dammed and control sites were similar in habitat and benthic prey abundance, and ponds were small (<3,000 m2). Though few juvenile salmonids were detected in ponds, trout and salmon were present in habitats below and above ponds (comprising 9%–31% and 0%–57% of the fish collected respectively). Trout dominated control sites (79%–99%), but the greatest proportion of Atlantic salmon were upstream of beaver ponds (0%–57%). Growth rates were highly variable, with no differences in growth between lotic reaches of beaver‐dammed and control sites. The condition and densities of juvenile salmon and trout were similar in lotic reaches of beaver‐dammed and control sites, though one beaver‐dammed site with fine sediment had very few juvenile salmonids. Beaver dams did not block the movement of juvenile salmonids or their ability to use upstream habitats. However, the degree of repeated movements and the overall proportion of fish moving varied between beaver‐dammed and control sites. The small scale of habitat alteration and the fact that fish were able to move past dams makes it unlikely that beaver dams negatively impact the juvenile stage of salmon or trout populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present work studied the pH, organic carbon, phosphorus (P), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and heavy metals Cu, Cr, Co and Pb in roadside agricultural soils of Jalandhar environs of Punjab, India. A total of 120 samples in triplicates were collected from different sites for assessment of heavy metal pollution. The mean values of Cu, Cr, Co and Pb were found below the permissible limits of Indian and Swedish soil limits. Principal component analysis (PCA) showed that heavy metals have different sources of origin. The results of contamination factor (CF), geoaccumulation index (Igeo), degree of contamination (Cd) and potential ecological risk index (RI) showed low contamination and ecological risks of heavy metals in roadside agricultural soils, respectively. The maps of spatial analysis indicated that northern region of the study area is more polluted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present work was designed to study the pH, sand, silt, clay, lime, organic carbon (OC), cation exchange capacity and heavy metals (Fe, Mn, Cu and Zn) in agricultural soils of Mashhad plain, Northeastern Iran. Pearson's correlation analysis showed that OC influenced the retention of Cu and Mn in both surface and subsurface agricultural soil samples. The results of contamination factor, pollution index and potential ecological risk (RI) indicated low pollution of Mn, Zn and Cu in the agricultural soil samples. The enrichment factor showed very high enrichment of heavy metals in surface (88.1%) and subsurface (79.1%) agricultural soil samples. The geoaccumulation index also indicated very high contamination of heavy metals in surface (87.5%) and subsurface (82.6%) soil samples. The modified potential ecological risk (MRI) showed 37.5% ecological risk in surface, and 32.5% ecological risk in subsurface soil samples of Mashhad plain, Northeastern Iran. Abbreviation: Fe: Iron; Mn: Manganese; Cu: Copper; Zn: Zinc; PCA: Principal component analysis; CA: Cluster analysis; CF: Contamination factor; EF: Enrichment factor; Igeo: Geoaccumulation index; PI: Pollution index; MPI: Modified pollution index; RI: Potential ecological risk index; MRI: Modified potential ecological risk index [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Specific conditions in urban areas favour large species richness, these are also places prone to the anthropogenic pressure. As a result, many studies on aquatic habitats in urban ecosystems have been carried out. The aim of this study was to investigate the diversity of diatom assemblages developing in artificial environment in relation to water chemical parameters. The study was performed on a small water outflow in south-eastern Poland, which started in the storm sewage. The water at the studied sites was characterized by alkaline pH and low content of nutrients. The values of other chemical parameters were highly variable, depending on the research season. A total of 113 taxa were identified in five research seasons; most of them prefer circumneutral and fertile habitats, with a high content of biogens and are tolerant to water pollutions. Aerophytic and terrestrial taxa were observed in the analyzed materials in high diversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The peatbogs and natural upper sections of streams in national parks in southeastern Poland represent unique study areas for research on freshwater diatom diversity. During studies conducted on diatoms in three Polish national parks, many little-known, very rare, and endangered species were noted. For most of the taxa presented in this article, especially from the Adlafia, Eunotia, and Placogeia genera, only single individuals have been observed, and only from a few localities worldwide. Moreover, this is the first presentation of SEM photodocumentation and descriptions for Eunotia minutula Grunow and Fallacia sublucidula (Hustedt) D. G. Mann. Based on both light and scanning electron microscopy, detailed descriptions of morphological characteristics, ecological notes, and new localities are presented for the following species: Adlafia langebertalotii Monnier & Ector, Caloneis undulata (Gregory) Krammer, Eunotia fennica (Hustedt) Lange-Bertalot, E. glacialifalsa Lange-Bertalot, E. groenlandica (Grunow) Nörpel-Schempp & Lange-Bertalot, E. minutula Grunow, E. neocompacta Mayama var. neocompacta, E. superpaludosa Lange-Bertalot, Fallacia sublucidula (Hustedt) D. G. Mann, Pinnularia rhombarea Krammer, P. similiformis Krammer, Placogeia gereckei (Cantonati & Lange-Bertalot) Bukhtiyarova, and Sellaphora vitabunda (Hustedt) D. G. Mann. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents new records of the following six very rare or scarcely recorded species of short-tongued bees of the genus Andrena Fabricius, 1775 in Poland: A. (Simandrena) congruens Schmiedeknecht, 1883; A. (Taeniandrena) lathyri Alfken, 1899; A. (Simandrena) lepida Schenck, 1861; A. (Poliandrena) polita Smith, 1847; A. (Suandrena) suerinensis Friese, 1884 and A. (Poliandrena) tarsata Nylander, 1848. This is the second contribution concerning the rare species of the genus Andrena Fabricius, 1775 in Poland. The studies were based on museum collections as well as the author's own collections. During the research, approximately 21,000 specimens of mining bees of the genus Andrena from Poland were identified representing ninety-five taxa. The species discussed in the paper are known from just a few records in the country. The following information is provided for each species: short diagnosis, remarks on general distribution, bionomics, published records from Poland and confirmed Polish records based on studied collections. The text is accompanied by SEM micrographs showing diagnostic characters and distribution maps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the results of research into pathways leading to the production of methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2) in sediments of two eutrophic reservoirs (Maziarnia and Nielisz), located in south-eastern Poland. In seeking to identify the pathways in question, use was made of analysis of stable carbon isotopes in CH4 and CO2 dissolved in pore water. This determined that CH4 is mainly produced through acetate fermentation, though the hydrogenotrophic methanogenic process may also be of importance, especially in deeper layers of sediments. Both the presence of autochthonous organic matter and increased pH values are shown to favour acetate fermentation. In turn, methanogenesis in sediments is assessed as capable of accounting for the generation of a considerable amount of CO2. Indeed, the role of methanogenesis in CO2 production is increasingly important further down in the layers of sediment, where allochthonous organic matter is predominant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

European mountain forests are unique ecosystems, and they harbour specific saproxylic beetle fauna, including relict species such as the longhorn beetle Ropalopus ungaricus (Herbst, 1784). This endangered species is endemic to European mountain forests and is considered to be monophagous on living sycamore trees (Acer pseudoplatanus L.). Insufficient knowledge of the species ecology limits its effective conservation. Hence, to investigate its habitat requirements, 175 sycamore trees (87 occupied and 88 unoccupied by the species) were surveyed in the Hrubý Jeseník Mts. and Moravskoslezské Beskydy Mts. in northern Moravia (Czech Republic) in 2016. The species strongly preferred trees with reduced vitality, including variously damaged trees. The species was also documented to be much more abundant on sun-exposed trees, and the parts of the trunk mantle (south- and east-facing quarters) with the warmest microclimates were preferred. Surprisingly, trunk diameter seems to be an unimportant characteristic for this species (the diameters of occupied trees varied between 5 and 72 cm). In conclusion, R. ungaricus is a specialised species whose survival depends upon a continuous supply of sun-exposed declining and damaged sycamores in mountain forests. Based on the results of the present study, we suggest concrete conservation measures to support the species, and these will benefit other saproxylic species associated with the same habitat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated how do environmental and climatic factors, but also management, affect the carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) stable isotope composition in bone collagen of the two largest contemporary herbivores: European bison (Bison bonasus) and moose (Alces alces) across Europe. We also analysed how different scenarios of population recovery- reintroduction in bison and natural recovery in moose influenced feeding habitats and diet of these two species and compared isotopic signatures of modern populations of bison and moose (living in human-altered landscapes) with those occurring in early Holocene. We found that δ13C of modern bison and moose decreased with increasing forest cover. Decreasing forest cover, increasing mean annual temperature and feeding on farm crops caused an increase in δ15N in bison, while no factor significantly affected δ15N in moose. We showed significant differences in δ13C and δ15N among modern bison populations, in contrast to moose populations. Variation in both isotopes in bison resulted from inter-population differences, while in moose it was mainly an effect of intra-population variation. Almost all modern bison populations differed in δ13C and δ15N from early Holocene bison. Such differences were not observed in moose. It indicates refugee status of European bison. Our results yielded evidence that habitat structure, management and a different history of population recovery have a strong influence on foraging behaviour of large herbivores reflected in stable isotope signatures. Influence of forest structure on carbon isotope signatures of studied herbivores supports the “canopy effect” hypothesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT The sedimentary sequence of a spring-fed fen located in north-east Poland was investigated to verify the applicability of spring-fed fen deposits in palaeoenvironmental studies. We hypothesize that spring-fed fen deposits accumulated on the hill slope are a reliable proxy for regional hydrological changes, although they may be modified by local factors. Results of combined sedimentological, plant macrofossil, geochemical and isotopic analyses were compared with palaeoclimatic reconstructions at the nearby lakes Purwin, Kojle and Perty situated within the same sedimentary basin. The 700-cm-long sediment sequence from the fen was deposited between 10 900 cal a BP and recent times. The sequence starts with a lacustrine stage, but ca. 9200 cal a BP the lake changed into a spring-fed fen functioning within a fen surrounding Lake Purwin. Highly variable SiO2 content and stable isotope (δ13C and δ18O) values of carbonates, both controlled by inwash of detrital material from young glacial deposits, were found to reflect changes in hydrology with major regional shifts in climate humidity being recorded. Links were found with lake level changes and peatland record of humidity in northern and eastern Poland, the Baltic area and Central Europe, and with climatic records in Scandinavia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We assessed habitat selection patterns of the European bison ( Bison bonasus) reintroduced to the Bieszczady Mountains (the Eastern Carpathians, Poland) using presence data and Ecological Niche Factor Analysis. During the growing season, bison selected habitats at higher elevations close to natural grasslands, coniferous forest, and stands with broken canopy, while in winter - lower elevations, close to agricultural areas and alder or pine stands. In both seasons, bison avoided busy roads. The use of low-elevation valleys in winter can be a trade-off between the access to good habitats with milder climate, and the risk associated with close proximity to people. Relative tolerance to proximity to infrastructure indicates that good quality habitats in its vicinity can be considered suitable for further expansion of the species' range. Optimal sites for bison introductions in the Carpathians should include areas at lower elevations, providing winter refuges, and allow unrestricted access to summer habitats at higher elevations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simonsenia delognei is a diatom species which is relatively rarely recorded, but apparently widespread in Europe and other continents. This taxon has recently been discovered for the first time in springs of Central Poland, where it was found to occur abundantly. Somewhat later this species has also been identified and photographed in samples from the Eagean Region in Turkey. Light and electron microscopic studies were carried out on S. delognei populations from the Quaternary spring located near Łódź (Central Poland) and from the Porsuk and Felent Rivers and a spring in the Türkmen Mountains in Kütahya and Havuzdere Stream in Yalova (NW Turkey). Morphological studies were accompanied by environmental measurements and determination of changes in the seasonal distribution of S. delognei in a key area, i.e. the Porzeczkowe spring in Central Poland, which are included in the present study. Identification of S. delognei under a light microscope is difficult and hence an electron microscope is required for accurate taxonomic identification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The REVEALS model is a tool for recalculating pollen data into vegetation abundances on a regional scale. We explored the general effect of selected parameters by performing simulations and ascertained the best model setting for the Czech Republic using the shallowest samples from 120 fossil sites and data on actual regional vegetation (60 km radius). Vegetation proportions of 17 taxa were obtained by combining the CORINE Land Cover map with forest inventories, agricultural statistics and habitat mapping data. Our simulation shows that changing the site radius for all taxa substantially affects REVEALS estimates of taxa with heavy or light pollen grains. Decreasing the site radius has a similar effect as increasing the wind speed parameter. However, adjusting the site radius to 1 m for local taxa only (even taxa with light pollen) yields lower, more correct estimates despite their high pollen signal. Increasing the background radius does not affect the estimates significantly. Our comparison of estimates with actual vegetation in seven regions shows that the most accurate relative pollen productivity estimates (PPEs) come from Central Europe and Southern Sweden. The initial simulation and pollen data yielded unrealistic estimates for Abies under the default setting of the wind speed parameter (3 m/s). We therefore propose the setting of 4 m/s, which corresponds to the spring average in most regions of the Czech Republic studied. Ad hoc adjustment of PPEs with this setting improves the match 3–4-fold. We consider these values (apart from four exceptions) to be appropriate, because they are within the ranges of standard errors, so they are related to original PPEs. Setting a 1 m radius for local taxa (Alnus, Salix, Poaceae) significantly improves the match between estimates and actual vegetation. However, further adjustments to PPEs exceed the ranges of original values, so their relevance is uncertain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the studies conducted in 2007-2012 in south-eastern Poland, 56 diatom taxa were found from the Pinnularia genus. Pinnularia brebissonii (Kützing) Rabenhorst, P. obscura Krasske, P. viridiformis Krammer, P. lundii Hustedt, and P. viridis (Nitzsch) Ehrenberg occurred at most of the investigated sites. Eighteen taxa were considered as new to Polish flora. Some taxa are very rare in Poland and Europe and are found in only a few localities. Eight taxa are listed on the Polish Red List of Algae, including six taxa classified as endangered (E): P. nobilis (Ehrenberg) Ehrenberg, P. nodosa (Ehrenberg) W. Smith, P. subrupestris Hantzsch, P. schoenfelderii Krammer, P. subgibba Krammer and P. viridiformis Krammer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the ubiquity and magnitude of food provision to wildlife, our understanding of its ecological effects and conservation implications is very limited. Supplementary feeding of ungulates, still one of the main paradigms of game management in Europe, occurs in natural areas on an enormous scale. We investigated the indirect effects of this practice on nest predation risk in the Polish Eastern Carpathians (Bieszczady Mountains). We hypothesized that the predators attracted to ungulate baiting sites would also forage for alternative prey nearby, increasing the nest predation risk for ground-nesting birds in the vicinity. We conducted a paired experiment by placing artificial nests (N = 120) in feeding and control sites (N = 12) at different distances from the ungulate feeding site. We also documented the use of three ungulate feeding sites by potential nest predators with automatic cameras. The proportion of depredated nests was 30% higher in the vicinity of feeding sites than at control sites (65%±31.5 vs 35%±32.1). The probability of a nest being depredated significantly increased with time and at shorter distances from the feeding site. We predicted that the area within 1-km distance from the feeding site would have a high risk (>0.5) of nest predation. We recorded 13 species of potential ground-nest predators at ungulate baiting sites. Most frequent were Eurasian jays Garrulus glandarius, mice and voles Muroidea, ravens Corvus corax, brown bears Ursus arctos, and wild boar Sus scrofa. Nest predators made most use of supplementary feeding sites (82% pictures with predators vs 8% with ungulates, the target group). Our study alerts of the impacts of ungulate feeding on alternative prey; this is of special concern when affecting protected species. We urge for a sensible management of ungulate feeding, which considers potential indirect effects on other species and the spatial and temporal components of food provision. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a result of the research carried out in Lakes Duszatyńskie and the Olchowaty stream, a new European site with Geissleria declivis (Hust.) Lange-Bert. was found - a new species for Poland. The highest abundance of G. declivis has been observed on sandy substrate and small stones in the littoral zone of the Upper Lake during the spring season. The species occurred together with Achnanthidium minutissimum (Kütz.) Czarn. var. minutissimum, A. catenatum (Bily & Marvan), Fragilaria leptostauron (Ehrenb.) Hust. var. leptostauron and F. pinnata Ehrenb. var. pinnata. Our observations revealed that G. declivis develops in lentic water bodies with medium organic matter content and neutral pH. The species seems to prefer mesotrophic waters with low to medium electrolyte content and oligosaprobous. The species morphology and identity is documented in a series of light microscopic (LM) images and for the first time under a scanning electron microscope (SEM). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The observed decline in wild bees may be connected to the decreasing diversity of flowering plants. Changes in floral composition shape nutrient availability in inhabited areas, and bee larvae need food rich in body-building nutrients to develop into adults. Adult food, mainly composed of energy-rich nectar, differs from larval food, mainly composed of pollen, and adult bees forage on different plant species for nectar and pollen. Defining bee-friendly plants based on the quantities of food produced, and on the visitation rates of adult pollinating insects leads to the planting of bee habitats with poor-quality food for larvae, which limits their growth and development, and negatively affects the population. Consequently, failing to understand the nutritional needs of wild bees may lead to unintended negative effects of conservation efforts. Ecological stoichiometry was developed to elucidate the nutritional constraints of organisms and their colonies, populations, and communities. Here, I discuss how applying ecological stoichiometry to the study of the nutritional ecology of wild bees would help fill the gaps in our understanding of bee biology. I present questions that should be answered in future studies to improve our knowledge of the nutritional ecology of wild bees, which could result in better conservation strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]