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Among greenhouse gases (GHGs), methane (CH4) is a major contributor to global warming. Agriculture accounts for about 40% of CH4 emissions, with livestock being a crucial source. CH4 emissions from livestock primarily arise during enteric fermentation and manure management in livestock. This study aims to estimate Poland's CH4 emissions from enteric fermentation and manure management in 2010 and 2020 at the municipal level (LAU-2). Data from the National Agricultural Census (NAC) and the UNFCCC National Inventory Report (NIR) for 2010 and 2020 were used for the analysis. The results reveal a slight overall increase in total CH4 emissions from livestock farming in Poland over the decade. The highest emissions were observed in regions where livestock farming was predominant, while significant changes in emissions occurred in regions experiencing considerable livestock production growth. Conversely, the lowest emissions were found in areas where the decrease in livestock population was most prominent. Understanding the spatial distribution of CH4 emissions from livestock farming at the municipal level is essential for effective climate change mitigation efforts. This study highlights the importance of continuous monitoring and analysis of livestock farming in Poland to assess its impact on GHG emissions and facilitate informed policy-making for sustainable agricultural practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The hydrotechnical construction, damming up the riverbed, creates two zones of hydraulic conditions, which affect the water discharge and sediment transport routes, as well as plant species composition, as a habitat answer to the hydraulic regime. This study examined the diversity of the vascular and rush plant species upstream and downstream of the weir. The Świder River, a small lowland river in Central Poland, was chosen as a study area. An examined river reach was located at 21 + 340 kilometers of the Świder River. Vegetation properties, plant species, and granulometric fraction composition were recognized at chosen cross-sections along the riverbed where specific hydraulic conditions could be met. The spatial distribution of vortices, smooth or rapid flow areas, and velocity pulsations influence the biotic environment, thereby affecting the species composition, quantity, and plant diversity. In the headwater zone, an environment more favorable to grain accumulation could be met, which was mixed with organic components in an agricultural catchment area. This phenomenon leads to creating favorable conditions for increased biodiversity. The present study demonstrated that small weirs could positively affect the composition of vascular and rush plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urban forests are basic elements in the ecological structure of cities. The dendroflora and herb species of oak-hornbeam forests in a medium-sized city type was studied and compared with nature reserves located outside the city, based on phytosociological analysis using the Braun-Blanquet percentage-of-cover scale. More inconsistent trees and shrubs occurred in the urban forests and some tree species showed poor renewal. The herb plant species have become more frequent in nature reserves, but we were not able to detect significant differences regarding species inconsistent with the habitat. Herb plants in urban forests preferred more light and fertile habitats. Myrmecochory was the most common seed dispersal. Nowadays, the conservation of urban biota is of great importance and more sustainable approaches towards management of nature are needed. To implement such approaches, results of studies focused on ecology of urban forests may serve as an important tool. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrobiological investigations of ponds situated above the timber line in the Tatra Mountains (Poland) were carried out. These water bodies are fed mainly by rainfall and melting snow. Some of them are temporary while others are permanent and show seasonal varia- tions in chemical properties (e.g. pH 4.6-5.0 to 6.8-7.7). The structure of the algal communities differed in particular ponds, depending on the water pH and its seasonal changes. Moreover, there are differences in the composition of the macro-invertebrate communities between particular ponds, but they were not affected by the water acidification occurring mainly during the snow-melting period. The present investigations show that the impact of acid precipitation on biocenoses living in high mountain water bodies (Tatra Mts) is not clearly evident. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]