This paper presents results of our research on the process of building development intensification within the Niepołomicka Forest surroundings in 1978-2003, and spatial policies of communes in relation to those areas, as well as results of those policies. Our research demonstrated diversification in the types of spatial structure transformation processes occurring in various parts of the metropolitan area, a considerable influence of even small but ecologically susceptible areas on the natural spatial structure of development, as well as justifiability of determining natural functional areas for the coordination of spatial policy on a trans-local level, in particular within metropolitan areas subjected to strong investment pressures.
The Niepołomice Forest, a large forest complex typical of Central European lowlands, is located near an urban-industrial agglomeration in southern Poland. During the past 20 years, SO₂ emissions from industry decreased from 75,000 t yr⁻¹ to 6000 t yr⁻¹. Concentration of SO₂ in the air, and pH, SO₄⁻² concentration in bulk precipitation were measured during the last 11 years and compared with data from the 1970s. The spatial distribution of concentrations and deposition of S were calculated on the basis of 30 bulk precipitation samples in 1999-2000. Mean annual concentration of SO₂ in the air was 8.25 μg m⁻³ in 2000, that is 2.5 times lower than during the period 1967-1978. At the beginning of the 1990s the concentration of SO₂ exceeded the critical level for plants during 3% of the days over the year, and at the end of the 1990s only on single days. In 1999 and 2000 the yearly mean concentration of S-SO₄⁻² in bulk precipitation in the Niepołomice Forest was 1.11 mg l⁻¹, ranging between 0.99 and 1.27 mg l⁻¹ in the forest complex. The yearly mean sulphur deposition (S-SO₄⁻²) was 8.1 kg ha⁻¹, varying from 7.3 to 8.9 kg ha⁻¹. The present concentrations and deposition of S-SO₄ were a quarter those of 1974-1978. The spatial distribution of S deposition pointed to the influx of S compounds to the Niepołomice Forest with air masses from the west. The yearly mean pH of atmospheric precipitation was 4.64 (1999-2000), and was steady within the forest complex. In the Niepołomice Forest, atmospheric precipitation was more acid recently than in the 1970s.
After the lapse of 48 years, a renewed study on species composition of desmids was carried out at the Błoto peat bog in the Niepołomice Forest. During this period, the peat bog underwent far-reaching changes caused by man. Out of 41 species recorded by Wasylik (1955), the occurrence of only 11 was confirmed. However, 14 species absent at the time of the earlier study were found. In all, 25 species of desmids were found. The present state of the desmid flora was brought about by increase of pH, draining of the area, disappearance of peat mosses and probably by eutrophication of waters in the studied area.
Niepołomice Forest is located about 20 kilometers east of Cracow (Małopolska province, southern Poland). Its natural and touristic values, as well as wide range of hosts occurring within indicate this to be an area of high risk of exposure to Ixodes ricinus and tick-borne diseases it transfers. I. ricinus is a common species in Poland and Europe. Its seasonal activity begins in Poland in the early spring, and ends with late autumn. A total number of 129 specimens of I. ricinus was collected by flagging in Niepołomice Forest. DNA was isolated by ammonia method from 30 randomly-selected individuals. PCR was used to detect tick-borne pathogens with primers specific for Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato and Babesia sp. Molecular studies confirmed the presence of all three pathogens in I. ricinus. A. phagocytophilum was found in 76.7%, Babesia sp., 60%, B. burgdorferi s. l., in 3.3% of studied ticks. A. phagocytophilum co-infection with Babesia sp., was found in 46.7% of the specimens. A co-infection of all three tested pathogens was recorded in one case (3.3%). In Poland the problem of tick-borne diseases is a growing issue, therefore people residing in southern Polish touristic areas should be informed about the prevention and protection against ticks.
Fifty eight species and three varieties of slime moulds were collected in the Lipówka reserve in 1999 and 2001. Thirty taxa of slime moulds very rare and rare in Poland were recorded in the reserve, including: Arcyria minuta, A. stipata, Physarum penetrale, P. robustum, and Symphytocarpus flaccidus which are red listed (Drozdowicz et al. 2006).
Winter bird communities in a managed mixed oak-pine forest (Niepołomice Forest, southern Poland) were studied during winters the 1996/1997, 1998/1999, and 2000/2001 using the line-transect method. The transect (9.5 km long, 100 m wide) was conducted through three habitats: forest edge, mature, and young stands. The authors noted 5,764 individuals within the transect belonging to 33 bird species. The largest number of species was noted in mature stands – 27 (mean density: 34.0 inds/10 ha), then at the forest edge – 24 (19.4 inds/10 ha), and 18 species in young stands (25.2 inds/10 ha). The density of birds varied between winters and decreased during their course. The density of plant-eaters was significantly lower than that of invertebrate-eaters, but the total biomass of these groups did not differ. Plant-eater biomass was significantly higher in mature stands and at the forest edge than in young stands. Invertebrate-eater density was considerably lower at the forest edge, but the biomass of this trophic guild did not differ significantly among habitats. Plant-eater biomass was significantly lower during winter 1998/1999 and it is supposed that this variation in plant-eater density affects the most total variation in bird communities in the Niepołomice Forest. The authors’ results indicate that old stands are probably the most favourable habitat for some small birds in winter.
W celu oceny wpływu masowych grobów na zawartość pierwiastków przeprowadzono badania na terasie plejstoceńskiej Wisły w Puszczy Niepołomickiej w okolicach Niepołomic niedaleko Krakowa. Badania te prowadzono w środowisku okresowo podmokłego piasku z domieszkąminerałów ilastych w górnej części pionowego profi lu. W środowisku tym stwierdzono istotny wpływ masowego grobu na: podłoże, mech płonnik, żywicę sosny, hubę brzozy oraz powietrze. Wielkości zmian oceniono na podstawie różnic w koncentracji pierwiastków w środowisku grobu względem miejsc porównawczych. W otoczeniu badanego grobu wykazano stosunkowo duże zawartości pierwiastków pochodzących ze zwłok ludzkich: P, S, N, C, Cl, Na oraz Ca. Szczególnie charakterystyczna jest wyższa zawartość P w podłożu oraz w powietrzu. Natomiast w hubie brzozy potwierdzono relatywnie wyższą koncentrację pierwiastków ciężkich.