Search

Large watercourses are characterised by significant spatial and temporal changes in water quality due to both natural and anthropogenic impacts. The paper analyses changes in the Danube's spatial and seasonal water quality in its middle part at five monitoring stations for the period 2018–2022. Examined water quality parameters include oxygen saturation (Os), ammonium (N-NH4), pH, 5-day biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), nitrate nitrogen (N-NO3), orthophosphates (P-PO4), suspended solids (SS), electrical conductivity (EC), and water temperature (WT). Furthermore, the analysis took into account the influence of two additional factors: air temperature (AT) and discharge (D). Throughout the entire period under study, all parameters were characterised by low concentration values, which met the environmental objective of good ecological status. The use of multivariate statistical methods allowed for the identification of EC, N-NH4, WT, Os, SS, and N-NO3 as determining the greatest spatio-seasonal variability of water quality in a selected section of the Danube. Regression models determined WT, EC and nitrogen nitrate changes as depending on AT, flow, and exposure time. Knowing models not only gives a better understanding of the dynamics of changes in water quality in the stretch of the Danube under study but potentially allows the prediction of these parameters based on easily measurable environmental variables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The need to contain climate change and improve energy security has increased the interest in agricultural biomass as a renewable energy source (RES). Given the complexity of the issue of energy production and its environmental impact, the main objective of this study was to assess the significance and potential of the agriculture of the European Union Member States in terms of the capability of producing renewable energy. Using the multi-criteria TOPSIS (Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution) method, we designed a synthetic measure based on several diagnostic characteristics for 2010–2021, obtaining a ranking for EU countries reflecting their agriculture's RES potential. The research showed that the agricultural sectors with the highest potential for renewable energy production were in the Netherlands, Lithuania, Latvia, and Hungary during the study period. Bulgaria, Denmark, and Spain joined this group in 2021. A comprehensive assessment was conducted using the TOPSIS method to identify the leaders and areas in need of support in leveraging the potential of agriculture for energy in the EU. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dissolved oxygen is fundamental for chemical and biochemical processes occurring in natural waters and critical for the life of aquatic organisms. Many organisms are responsible for altering organic matter and oxygen transfers across ecosystem or habitat boundaries and, thus, engineering the oxygen balance of the system. Due to such Lemna features as small size, simple structure, vegetative reproduction and rapid growth, as well as frequent mass occurrence in the form of thick mats, they make them very effective in oxygenating water. The research was undertaken to assess the impact of various species of duckweed (L. minor and L. trisulca) on dissolved oxygen content and detritus production in water and the role of ecological factors (light, atmospheric pressure, conductivity, and temperature) in this process. For this purpose, experiments were carried out with combinations of L. minor and L. trisulca. On this basis, the content of oxygen dissolved in water was determined depending on the growth of duckweed. Linear regression models were developed to assess the dynamics of changes in oxygen content and, consequently, organic matter produced by the Lemna. The research showed that the presence of L. trisulca causes an increase in dissolved oxygen content in water. It was also shown that an increase in atmospheric pressure had a positive effect on the ability of duckweed to produce oxygen, regardless of its type. The negative correlation between conductivity and water oxygenation, obtained in conditions of limited light access, allows us to assume that higher water conductivity limits oxygen production by all combinations of duckweeds when the light supply is low. Based on the developed models, it was shown that the highest increase in organic matter would be observed in the case of mixed duckweed and the lowest in the presence of the L. minor species, regardless of light conditions. Moreover, it was shown that pleustophytes have different heat capacities, and L. trisulca has the highest ability to accumulate heat in water for the tested duckweed combinations. The provided knowledge may help determine the good habitat conditions of duckweed, indicating its role in purifying water reservoirs as an effect of producing organic matter and shaping oxygen conditions with the participation of various Lemna species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper aims to fill the research gap in monitoring agriculture's sustainable development in the European Union (EU) member states. The assessment used a synthetic index based on indicators related to three dimensions: economic, social and environmental. The surveys have a high practical value. Not only did they reveal differences between member states regarding agricultural sustainability, but they also captured the areas of utmost attention to particular countries. The countries were classified into four groups based on the synthetic measure. Member states with the highest level of sustainability in the agricultural sector were Austria, Estonia, Belgium and Czechia. Study outcomes also made it possible to identify the indicators with the strongest impact on the four groups of countries. These included the area under organic farming, ammonia emission, pesticide sales, and labour productivity. Due to the differentiation of agriculture in the EU, the member states largely need to undertake measures towards sustainable development in this sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study evaluated the seeding quality of radish seeds cv. Saxa Polana (percentage of single seeds, double seeds and missed seeds (skips) sown with a Max Pneumatic S 156 seed drill fitted with a pneumatic seed dosing unit set at different forward speeds of a metering unit and different sowing disc speeds. The seeding quality was analysed using Nakagami distribution functions, a chi-squared goodness of fit test, linear regression functions, and the ISO 7256/1, 1984 (E) Standard. The diagrams predicting the effect of the different speeds on the percentage of singles, doubles and skips were highly consistent with the results of the seeding quality analysis based on the ISO 7256/1, 1984 (E) Standard. The authors relied on Nakagami distribution functions to develop a new method for predicting the in-row distance between seeds within the analysed range of speeds, including those which were not empirically tested speeds. The proposed method can be used to predict seeding quality at different speeds when only the selected settings of the dosing unit are taken into account in the analysis. This approach significantly shortens the research time and also decreases the relevant costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aquatic vegetation greatly impacts lake functions. Forest ecosystems surrounding lakes are effective protection zone of lakes and their associated flora and fauna. The presence of aquatic plants depends on many factors, including the chemical composition and acidity of water, the shape of the lake catchment, the angle of slope along shorelines and the management of surrounding lands. Natural ecosystems throughout Eastern Europe are threatened by anthropogenic activities. Aquatic systems and bogs are particularly sensitive to disturbances. The aim of the study was to determine the influence of land management, forest type and stand age on aquatic plant colonisation within lakes as well as to quantify and qualify the structure of macrophyte communities within two lakes, Płotycze Sobiborskie and Orchowe, located in the Sobibór Landscape Park in western Poland. Even though there were few bogs within the catchment areas and lake buffer zones, where they did occur they had the greatest effect on macrophyte presence. The results of this research indicate that in the absence of anthropogenic disturbances midforest water-bog complexes are relatively stable systems and preserve their natural character. The applied multi-criteria evaluation of macrophytes in the studied lakes and their surrounding buffer zones and catchment areas allowed the lakes to be characterised as lakes with a good ecological status.

The water quality index is very often used to classify the water quality of a river. The paper aims to develop a new improvised water quality indicator using statistical methods. To reduce the number of analysed chemical parameters and simplify the tests, WQImin was used. The results of the research conducted in Serbia in 2019 were subjected to correlation and principal component analysis (PCA). This reduced the number of parameters from 29 to 8, significantly reducing the time and cost of laboratory analyses. The temporal and spatial variability evaluation can be performed using WQImin, which consists of dissolved oxygen, total phosphorus, orthophosphate, total dissolved solids, suspended solids, chlorides, ammonium, and nitrite nitrogen. The main sources of river contamination were untreated industrial sewage, fish farming wastewater, and soil erosion. The highest level of pollution was observed in winter. Good water quality was found in the river's upper course and very good in the lower course. Water quality values obtained based on a complete and simplified set of parameters were strongly correlated with each other. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rate and degree of damage to the leaves of yellow water lily Nuphar lutea in the shallow eutrophic lake was studied. Three factors were analysed: gnawing by Galerucella nymphaeae, the activity of microorganisms, and physical damage. Differences in the abundance, density and biomass of larvae and adult forms of G. nymphaeae were found between the two study sites. Site I was more favourable to the development of leaf beetles. The larger G. nymphaeae populations at site I resulted in greater leaf damage by this beetle. In turn, greater leaf damage due to feeding by G. nymphaeae resulted in greater damage resulting from microbial activity. The most likely reason for the smaller degree of damage to leaves at site II were their greater exposure to wind and waves. These two environmental factors impeded the development of the G. nymphaeae population and thus resulted in less damage to N. lutea leaves and a slower rate of decomposition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of the study was to determine the difference in the locomotor activity of horses that are maintained with conspecifics and released into a paddock with a companion or alone. Three horses out of eleven adult Hucul geldings in the facility which were housed in pairs in box-stalls and released outdoor together were randomly included in the study. Each horse studied stayed in the box-stall with another horse which was not included in the study. Horses were released into the experimental paddock for 1h daily over 12 days for the investigation. One solitary horse followed by one pair of horses were observed every day. The locomotor activity was quantified as the number of steps in walking, trotting or cantering and the number of changes in gait from a slower gait to a faster gait and conversely, from a faster gait to a slower gait. The influence of the treatment effect was estimated with the non-parametric Wilcoxon signed-rank test. The non-parametric Friedman test was used to estimate the day effect. The results show that the mean number of forelimb steps in trot and canter and changes in the gait were higher during paired release than in solitary release. The tendency for a higher number of steps in walk during paired release was insignificant. The Friedman test did not reveal any significant differences between the successive days. The lower locomotor activity in horses turned out alone compared to solitary release indicates that the companion provokes the other horse’s locomotion, even when the horses are maintained with conspecifics for the whole day. Considering the benefits of movement, paired turnout may be one of the factors which provide appropriate welfare for horses. This finding has implications for optimising the turnout circumstances. When voluntary exercise is desired, the horse should not be released alone. The issue warrants further investigation in horses maintained without conspecific company. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of the study was to determine whether the coat cover in Polish Konik mares is more dense in winter than in summer and whether the possible difference is effected by the system of the horses' maintenance, lactation or age. Thirty three Polish Konik horses were included: 23 mares kept in a stable and pasture/paddock, and 10 mares living on a close reserve. The study was conducted in July and December, hence summer and winter coats were analysed. The measurements were taken from single horses. Nineteen mares were examined in both seasons, whereas five mares were studied only in the summer and other nine mares only in the winter which resulted in 52 measurements in total. The mares were split into four age groups. Most of mares in both groups lactated in summer, whereas in winter only reserve mares had foals at foot. The coat hair density was determined from the horse's scapula, where an approximately 9cm2 area was shaved to obtain hair 0.5mm in length. Photographs of this area were taken and after conversion a 1mm2 square net was put on the picture to enable counting the hair leavings. The measurement was the number of hairs in 1cm2. Data were analyzed using three-way ANOVA with repeated measures (summer, winter), considering two factors: the system of maintenance (stable, reserve) and lactation (lactating mares, non-lactating mares). The age group factor was considered in an additional two-way ANOVA with repeated measures. Spearman's correlation, Pearson's correlations, regression and determination coefficients were determined. The results showed that the coat hair density is a symptom of primitive horses' adaptation to changing environmental conditions. The hair density is significantly higher in winter than in summer, and the density in summer and winter is correlated. The coat hair is denser in reserve mares that are subject to more severe conditions than in stable mares. In winter, the coat hair density increases with the mares' age, which may be associated with higher requirements for isolation from harsh conditions in older mares. The coat hair density is not related to the mare's lactation. These findings may be important for improving the welfare of stable horses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agriculture in the European Union is highly differentiated, and one of the objectives of the Common Agricultural Policy is to improve agricultural competitiveness. Therefore, surveys regarding the competitiveness of agriculture and grouping countries of the European Union (EU) according to similar characteristics of agriculture are very valuable. They help make strategic decisions concerning the agricultural sector. This paper aims to evaluate the agricultural competitiveness of EU member states in 2010–2019. Data used is derived from the Eurostat and FADN (Farm Accountancy Data Network). The study employed a competitiveness pyramid model based on two groups of factors–competitiveness sources (bottom of the pyramid) and competitiveness effects. Partial components allocated to the groups mentioned above of factors were used to calculate a synthetic measure to determine the level of agricultural competitiveness in respective countries. The studies revealed that EU agriculture varies both in terms of resources and relationships between production factors, as well as the efficiency of their utilization. A clear difference in the level of competitiveness occurred between old and new member states, although some new countries ranked relatively high in terms of competitiveness sources (Czechia and Poland). Belgium scored highest for the synthetic measure of agricultural competitiveness in 2010–2019, and Cyprus had the lowest. It was demonstrated that human resources were of utmost importance in the structure of competitiveness sources. In turn, the average holding area determined the management conditions to the highest extent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The human body balance system is a complex system of organs and mechanisms, which generate postural reactions to counter the displacement from the equilibrium position of the body centre of gravity, and which control eye movement in order to maintain a stable image of the environment. Computerised Dynamic Posturography (CDP) allows for a quantitative and objective assessment of the sen- sory and motor components of the body balance control system as well as of the integration and adaptive mechanisms in the central nervous system. The aim of this study was to determine the differences, when maintaining body balance, based on the gender of young, healthy people using CDP. The study was carried out on a group of 43 healthy subjects by comparing the effectiveness of the balance system in 22 women and 21 men aged between 20 and 26 years, between 171 and 177 cm in height, and without any clinical symptoms of balance disorders. The men and women were selected such that they did not differ significantly in height and BMI. Using the Equitest posturograph manufactured by NeuroCom International Inc. the following tests were performed: Sensory Organisation Test (SOT), Motor Control Test (MCT) and the Adaptation Test (ADT). The gender of young healthy individuals without any clinical symptoms of balance disorders also does not affect the effectiveness of the sensory system and the use of this signal in maintaining body balance.

The human body's posture control is a complex system of organs and mechanisms which controls the body's centre of gravity (COG) over its base of support (BOS). Computerised Dynamic Posturography (CDP) allows for the quantitative and objective assessment of the sensory and motor components of the body's posture control system as well as of the integration and adaptation mechanisms in the central nervous system. The aim of this study was to assess the relationships between the body's height and BMI on CDP results in a group of young healthy women without any clinical symptoms of balance disorders. It was found that the MS depended significantly on the height and BMI of the subjects as well as on the SOT conditions. As the height and BMI increased the MS value decreased. The postural response latency (LC) in the MCT statistically significantly depended only on height and showed a positive correlation. The postural response latency increased with height. The postural response amplitude for both right and left lower limbs significantly depended on height and BMI, but only for the backward movement of the platform. The response amplitude for all platform translations under all MCT conditions increased with height and BMI. The body's resultant imbalance caused by the platform perturbations in the ADT was greater in shorter people and those with a lower BMI.