Region: Central/Europe
Tadeusz Prus, Pawel Bijok
and Miroslawa Prus
International
Centre of Ecology
Dziekanów Leśny, 05-092 Łomianki
Tel. (48 22) 7513046, Fax (48 22) 7514116
E-mail mce-pan@mail.unicom.pl
Both the Division of Biological Sciences, PAS and the Committee of Ecology PAS have appointed Prof. Tadeusz Prus as National Representative to ILTER and Doc. Kajetan Perzanowski co-chair. It obliged the International Centre of Ecology PAS to develop the national network of LTER in Poland.
In 1998 the first Regional ILTER Workshop for Central Europe was organized in Poland (Mądralin, 16-18 September) to outline the research achievements and discuss the condition of cross-site and international cooperation. The workshop resulted in selection of major topics for the region:
I. Carpathians as integrating factor for transboundary cooperation;
II. Effects of air pollution and other factors on the condition of forests in the Carpathians;
III. Processes linking an aquatic ecosystem with its watershed;
IV. Lowland forest under an anthropogenic stress. The two first topics are performed in cooperation with Slovakian, Ukrainian and Romanian scientists.
There is no separate sponsorship of the network. All costs are covered by the budget of International Centre of Ecology, PAS.
Partnerships: National Parks, Universities, and institutions of Polish Academy of Sciences.
Masurian Lakeland
A. River Jorka catchment (Anna Hillbricht-Ilkowska)
The catchment of river Jorka (65 km2) is the typical fragment of postglacial Quartenary landscape. Two types of relief can be distinguished: a hilly-morainic covering about 60% of the catchment area and outwash-plain (40%). Terminal moraine hills, kames and eskers attain considerable absolute heights (160-206 m. a.s.l.) and a slope gradient 5--20°. About 28% of the area comprises hollows without surface runoff (land depression, potholes) of various size (3-4 ha). These land forms and accompanying wetland patches are very characteristic of the area. Geological substrate as well as the soil conditions are highly spatially mosaic, causing a complicated pattern of water infiltration, erosion and water movement in the area. Discharge rates measured in the different part of river Jorka system ranged between 0.1-- 1.5 m3 s-1, the highest being in spring. Meteorological conditions are those typical for continental type of weather: mean annual air temperature -6.8 to 23°C, yearly average precipitation 560 mm.
Land use and land cover is typical for the region. Forests cover about 30%, arable land about 46%, pastures and wetlands about 12%, lakes – 8%, urban areas – 4%. The area is not overpopulated and not strongly affected by the tourist impact. Main plant communities include: deciduous forest (Tillio-Carpinetum) in the southern part (see photo), numerous forest islands of spruce wood on peat (Sphagno-Piceetum) in the arable land, wet alder wood (Carici elongatae-Alnetum) in land depressions as well as along the lake shores, and pine afforestations on most elevated places. Land depressions numerous among the fields are covered with reeds, sedge moors, bogmoss swamp, birch, alder or willow shrubberies. The river flows through five lakes (Fig. 1) of different sizes, depth, trophic status and vegetation cover.
The following parameters were investigated in late 1970s and from 1993 through the present: landscape structure (e.g. density and size of the patches of different barrier capacity) based on air photos, water movements and fluxes to lakes, nutrient (P, N) and other elements (Cl, Ca) exports from a dozen controlled subwatersheds drained by small effluents to lakes. Nutrient retention and export from subsequent lakes were measured and monitored, the rate of eutrophication was assessed together with the correlation between trophic parameters. Since late 1970s the diversity, dynamics and succession of vegetation in wetland patches and wetland zones close to lake and river shores were studied . Analysis of nutrient removal and transformation in wetland zones while passing with subsurface waters was done. In late 1970s and late 1990s the composition and dynamics of selected biota (phytoplankton, zooplankton, molluscs, benthos) was studied. About 30 research papers were published on long-term changes in catchment and lakes.
B. Great Masurian Lakes (Jolanta Ejsmont-Karabin, Lech Kufel)
The Great Masurian Lakes are a complex of interconnected lakes (25 in the main stream and several dozen in the direct watershed) of postglacial origin situated in north-eastern Poland. The lakes differ in morphology, mixing regime, flushing rates, external nutrient loading and the trophic status. There is no heavy industry in the region, but the complex is affected by intensive tourism, recreation and by agriculture. Lakes are also exploited by commercial fishery. That is why eutrophication is the main topic addressed in numerous research performed in the lake system.
The Great Masurian Lakes have been the object of limnological studies for many years. Based on data from this region more than 600 scientific papers covering various aspects of lake functioning (hydrology, hydrobiology, ornithology, fishery etc.) were published through the 1990s. Since 1985 the team of Hydrobiological Station of the Institute of Ecology, PAS has executed the program called Ecological Monitoring of the Great Masurian Lakes. The program is generally intended to follow the long-term changes in lakes trophic status and covers such aspects as: water chemistry (nutrients), phytoplankton, zooplankton and littoral higher vegetation. Other studies dealing with land impact on lakes, nutrient turnover, succession in small water bodies, biological diversity in freshwaters etc. are also carried out.
Hydrobiological Station, Institute of Ecology PAS (established in 1951) is the largest and the oldest scientific station in the region. The Station runs training courses for students and environmental service staff of local and state administration, as well as seminars and conferences. Except laboratories, library, road and water transportation, technical services, the Station provides convenient lodging facilities, lecture halls etc., which enable to host up to 40 visitors at a time.
Primeval Deciduous Forest (Białowieża)
A: Plant communities (Janusz B. Faliński)
Białowieża Primeval Forest today covers some 1300 km2 on the Poland-Belarus border. It represents types of forest appropriate to the boreo-nemoral zone growing on formations from the time of the Riss glaciation. The short vegetation period (mean 185 days according to synphenological criteria) together with the long duration of snow cover (mean 92 days a year) favors the occurrence of boreal elements in the plant cover and fauna. However, a high degree of annual climatic variability allows the co-occurrence of elements of more varied biogeographical character resulting in transitory biogeographical nature of the forest. It is manifested in the dominance of geophyte-rich, essentially central European, multi-species deciduous forests (Tilio-Carpinetum of the Carpinion betuli alliance), along with some mixed and coniferous forests (of the Dicrano-Pinion and Vaccinio-Piceion alliances). The unique regional characteristics of the Białowieża forests are emphasized by the co-occurrence in the landscape of thermophilous oak forests (Potentillo albae-Quercetum of the order Quercetalia pubescentis) and spruce bog forests (Sphagno girgensohnii-Piceetum of the Vaccinio-Piceion alliance). The universal presence of spruce in almost all forest communities, the ease with which it dominates in favorable circumstances in all habitats and the influence it has on the most important ecological processes is of a great significance. The best preserved forest communities with tree stands of primary origin have been protected in Białowieża National Park since 1921 (47 km2) augmented in 1996 (to 105 km2).
Long-term studies on permanent plots in northern-eastern Poland (mainly in Białowieża Forest) are supplemented with the comparative studies in southern Italy (Promontorio del Gargano) and in Russia (southern-western Siberia). The studies include seasonality of forest communities (since 1952); ecotone between forest communities; the role of tree windfall in forest dynamics; geophytes/hemicryptophytes relation under the influence of wild boar rooting (1975-1982; since 1991); modification of plant population in forest and meadow communities; plant demography in vegetation succession (since 1972); vegetation fluctuation, regeneration and succession; phenomena related to secondary succession on abandoned farmland (since 1971); species turn-over; the role of dioecious species; return of native species; differentiation and integration of community structure; course of succession; fire impact, stochastic processes during succession; the role of cryptogamous species in the structure and function of forest communities; invasion of foreign species upon native plant communities (neophytism); and the formation of anthropogenic communities and synanthropic flora in the compact forest complex (synanthropisation of plant cover).
B: Animal communities (Zdzisław Pucek)
Since 1959, three times per year (in spring, summer, autumn) small rodents and shrews have been trapped on a small grid and two transects located in an oak-lime-hornbeam forest of the strict reserve of Białowieża National Park. The results show a dependence of rodent population dynamics on the fruiting pattern of the main deciduous trees: oak, hornbeam, and maple. Outbreaks of rodents (followed by deep crashes) occur regularly every 6 to 9 years. Other years are characterized by moderate densities and strongly seasonal population dynamics of rodents. Since 1985, a community of carnivores and raptors that exploit forest rodents has been studied and their predatory impact estimated.
Data on numbers of five species of ungulates (in the form of game inventories and hunting statistics) are available since the 19th century. Since 1969, The Mammal Researches Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences has participated sporadically in the inventories and since 1991 it has been conducting annual censuses of ungulates and large predators. Predatory impact of wolf and lynx on ungulates as well as roles of other factors on their population dynamics have been estimated. In co-operation with Białowieża National Park, numbers of free-living European bison have been censused annually.
Zegrzyński dam-reservoir (Zdzisław Kajak, Paweł Prus)
The Zegrzyński dam-reservoir is a typical lowland reservoir. It was created in 1961-64 about 30 km north from Warsaw for a drinking water source, recreation, angling, and industrial fishing purposes. The reservoir is about 70 km long, has the surface area of 33 km2, the average depth 3.5 m and the maximum depth 9 m. The potential capacity of the reservoir is 100 mln m3, water level fluctuations come to 0.5 m. The reservoir is highly eutrophic; the load of nutrients from the catchment (exceeding 100 thousands km2) is extremely high.
The Zegrzyński reservoir can be considered as a good subject for long term studies of environmental and biocenotic situation as depending on hydrological and trophic changes. The reservoir has been a subject of ecological research for almost 40 years. Some initial studies were done even before its construction. A number of studies on different aspects of ecology of the reservoir were carried out by the Institute of Ecology PAS and other institutions, such as the Academy of Podlasie, Institute of Meteorology and Water Management (IMGW). Those studies considered water quality and its indicators, phytoplankton, zooplankton, meiobenthos, macrobenthos, fish and birds. Some synthetic characteristics of the Zegrzyński reservoir ecosystem have also been done.
Several projects, especially on the ecology of benthic invertebrates, are currently being conducted at the Zegrzyński reservoir. Problems of the Chironomus plumosus L. population dynamics have been studied since the 1980s, based mainly on the field-experiment techniques.
Kampinos Forest (Jerzy Misiak, Anna Andrzejewska)
The Kampinos Forest site encompass the area of Kampinos National Park. It is situated in the largest water junction created by valleys of the Vistula, Bug and Narew rivers. It is connected by a system of ecological corridors with natural areas significant for conservation and restoration of rare species of plants and animals in Poland.
The Park and the valley of the unregulated Vistula river are extremely important biotopes: old river-beds, sand dunes, isles, marsh meadows and shrub areas. About 1,250 vascular plant species, 115 species of moss, 150 lichens, 10 liverworths and many species of fungi have been identified. The species diversity of fauna was estimated as at least 50% of Poland fauna species, i.e. 16,500 species with only 3,000 identified.
The park with its mosaic of different habitats e.g. inland dunes (up to 30 m high, unique in Europe), gives to the area undulated configuration with variegated landscape.
Forest covers about 80% of total surface area of the site. The most important forest-making species include common pine (72%), black alder (13%), oak (8%), verrucose birch (6% of the total area). Dominant habitats are fresh forest followed by fresh mixed coniferous forest, fresh mixed forest, humid forest and ash swamp. The most common non-forest association: Spergulo-Corynephoretum, Festuco psammophilae-Koelerietum glaucae, Arctostaphyllo-Callunetum, Geranio-Trifolietum alpestris, Cirsio-Brachypodion pinnati, Arrhenatheretum medioeuropaeum, Scirpo-Phragnitetum, Carici-Agrostetum caninae.
The Park, being situated at the boundary of the capital – Warsaw, has a potential to become one of the major centers of specialized tourism in Poland. Since January 2000 it has become a Biosphere Reserve called Puszcza Kampinoska MaB.
The Kampinos Forest plays the key role, as a ventilation tract for the city and supplying oxygen-rich air. A plan for protection of the Kampinos National Park was elaborated in 1995 and established in 1997. The essence of the protection plan for the Kampinos National Park and its buffer zone is to establish protective, recultivating, restituting and renaturalizing actions for particular types of ecotones and natural landscapes. The plan has been prepared for 20 years.
One of the priorities in Kampinos National Park is research on ground and surface water circulation and long term changes. Cooperation with American National Park Service the research project on water balance began in 1999. The main goal of the project is to develop a model for hydrological and hydrogeological balances. The project is financed by US-Poland Maria Skłodowska-Curie Joint Fund II.
The Kampinos forest, and especially the Kampinos National Park, have served as a site for ecological studies carried out for the past 50 years by various scientific institutions, including the Institute of Ecology PAS, Warsaw University, Łódź University, Institute of Forest Research, Catholic University of Lublin and others. It provides excellent conditions for educational purposes for high schools and colleges located in Warsaw.
Bieszczady Mountains, Carpathians
A. Terrestrial communities (Kajetan Perzanowski)
Bieszczady Mountains (i.e. the mountain range in the southeastern corner of Poland, bordering with Slovakia and Ukraine), cover about 2000 km2, with elevations of 500– 1346 m a.s.l. Its soils (mostly Cambisols) and geology (Flysch formations) are typical for the Carpathians. Rapidly and frequently changing weather is strongly influenced by a continental climate of Ukraine and western Russia.
Bieszczady are forested in over 60% with dominating natural beech-fir forest association (Fagetum Carpaticum). Forest stands are composed of 60 - 75% of beech Fagus silvatica and fir Abies alba, with an admixture of alder, spruce, sycamore, pine, larch, aspen, and willows. The majority of agricultural land, formerly cultivated by state farms remains abandoned under various stages of secondary succession. The number of vascular plants is estimated for about 700 species. There were 284 vertebrate species tecorded there, including all large European predators (wolf, brown bear, lynx, wildcat), and almost all herbivorous species, such as European bison, red and roe deer, moose, and wild boar. The density of local human population, among the lowest in the country, ranges between 5 - 10 people per km2.
The most spectacular and least affected by an anthropogenic influence part of Bieszczady (over 29 thousand hectares) remains protected by the Bieszczadzki National Park. In 1992 a Biosphere Reserve called Eastern Carpathians, which encompasses the national park and two landscape parks, has been established over the area of 108 thousand hectares. An international agreement to create an International Biosphere Reserve, covering over 160 thousand hectares including Slovak and Ukrainian protected areas, has been successfully negotiated.
Research topics:
(1) Influence of historic changes in land use patterns on biodiversity, the structure and composition of vegetation, and trends in natural and secondary succession (2) Sustainable development based on early warning system (3) Predator-prey relationships among large mammals inhabiting the area (4) Present status and perspectives for re-establishing the bison (Bison bonasus) over its former natural range in the Carpathians and Ukraine. Research topics (1), (3), and (4) are transboundary projects, carried out in the collaboration with Ukrainian Academy of Sciences (Institute of the Ecology of Carpathians in Lvov), and the Institute of Forest Research in Zvolen, Slovakia. The partner in the project (3) is also the Department of Ecoregion Science, Tokyo Noko University, Japan. In the project (1) involved are scientists from the Technical University Cottbus, Germany.
B. Aquatic communities – Solina and Myczkowce Dam Reservoirs (Tadeusz Prus)
In the Bieszczady Mountains region, the aquatic site consists of two dam reservoirs, Solina and Myczkowce, situated one after another forming a two-threshold cascade. The whole system holds almost 20% of total water storage in Poland and the aims of constructing the cascade in 1968 were power generation, flood control and tourism and recreational functions. The reservoirs differ in size, Solina ca 2100 ha being over ten times larger than Myczkowce. It is the largest dam reservoir in Poland. Water volume turnover is twice a year in the larger water body and 12 times a month in the smaller one. As the outflow of water from upper reservoir follows from the level of hypolimnion, the water in lower reservoir is by about 10°C cooler than in the upper during the vegetation season.
The littoral zone is affected by a large range of water level changes (up to 10 m) weekly or monthly in Solina, and 1-2 m daily in Myczkowce reservoir. One part of Solina lake is strongly affected by tourist activity, the other is rather natural.
Research topics:
(1) The long-term recording of water transparency, nitrogen and phosphorus forms, composition of bottom deposits, and the analysis of fauna in the vegetation season.
(2) The long-term effects of human impact on biodiversity of fauna in littoral and profundal zones and also in main rivers Solinka and San.
The Carpathian Branch of ICE PAS offers also summer training programs, lectures and courses on wildlife ecology for foreign students. Infrastructure: Research facilities: Basic laboratory allowing for preliminary processing of biological samples, standard computer equipment are available at the Carpathian Branch of the International Centre of Ecology PAS at Ustrzyki Dolne. Library and biological reference collections are available at National Park Museum situated within 100 m distance. Housing: the building of ICE PAS at Ustrzyki Dolne can accommodate up to 30 people. The same capacity is designed for lectures/conferences.
Tatra Mountains, Carpathians (Krystyna Grodzińska)
The Tatra Mts. (785 km2) form the highest chain in the Carpathians. They are located on the Polish-Slovakian border. Due to differentiation of climatic conditions on the latitudinal gradient, rich relief, various geological substrata and soils contribute to a great diversity of habitats, resulting in a wealth, diversity and distinction of the flora and plant communities in the Tatra Mts. The Tatras have been divided into 4 geobotanical subdistricts: the Siwy Wierch, the Western Tatras, the High Tatras and the Bielskie Tatras (only the Western and High Tatras in Poland). In the whole Polish Tatras (175 km2) a Tatra National Park (TPN) was proclaimed in 1954 In 1993 TPN in Poland, and Slovakian Tatra NP (TANAP) were nominated as a Transboundary Biosphere Reserve.
Western Tatras are composed of Jurassic and Triassic limestone and dolomites while the High Tatra of granite. Some parts of the Tatra Mts. were glaciated. The climate is characterized by polar influences, high precipitation, strong foehn winds (halny) and a long winter season. The number of days with snow cover ranges from 135 to 230.
In the Tatra Mts. five vegetation belts corresponding with climatic zonation are distinguished: lower montane belt, upper montane belt, dwarf pine (subalpine) belt, alpine belt and subnival belt (Fig. 2).
The flora of the Polish Tatras comprises over 1000 vascular plants, about 450 mosses and 200 liverworts, 700 lichens, 300 fungi, 700 myxomycetes and 1000 algae species. The flora and vegetation of the Tatras were strongly influenced during the Pleistocene and were changed during the Holocene. For this reason the Tatra Mts. being a center of West Carpathian endemism and refuge for relict species.
A rich wildlife is represented by rare and endangered animal species. The best known are bear (Ursus arctos), wolf (Canis lupus), lynx (Vulpes vulpes), eagle (Aquila pomarina), chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra), and marmot (Marmota marmota).
As a result of historically intensive exploitation of the natural forest for industrial purposes, actual forest stands possess lowered resistances to pest, diseases, wind damage and pollution including both long distance and local pollution. Another important threat to the Tatras nature comes from mass tourism (over 3 million visitors yearly).
Additional information on projects
Based on the two previous projects on evaluation of ozone air pollution and ozone monitoring (Poland Czech Republic, Slovakia, Ukraine and the United States), a new project: Long-term effects of air pollution on selected forest ecosystems in the Tatra Mts. (Polish & Slovakian parks)” which began in the year 2000, includes 20 permanent plots (1 ha each) located in natural and managed spruce forests, at the altitude 900-1700 m a.s.l. Air pollution (O3, SO2/NOx), forest health, biodiversity, bark beetle population, genetic diversity, are studied. (USDA Forest Service, Dr. A. Bytnerowicz, Institute of Botany PAS, Doc. Dr. B. Godzik, Prof. Dr. K. Grodzińska - principal investigators).