Revision of Nymphaea candida range - New DATA on the distribution and habitat preferences of the species in Southern Poland
The paper presents results of geobotanical and taxonomic studies on the distribution and habitat requirements of <em>Nymphaea candida</em> in southern Poland. The researches were conducted in southern Poland in 2003-2009, in the provinces of Lower Silesia, Lublin, Małopolska, Opole, Silesian province as well as, in southern parts of Mazowieckie and Lubuskie. Flowers, leaves and fruits of <em>Nymphaea</em> species were collected from 27 locations. Altogether pollens from 73 populations of <em>N. candida</em> and 18 of <em>N. alba</em> from all the researched area were measured. The trophic level of an ecosystem was evaluated according to the re…
Biological indices applied to benthic macroinvertebrates at reference conditions of mountain streams in two ecoregions (Poland, the Slovak Republic)
The study was carried out from 2007 to 2010 in two ecoregions: the Carpathians and the Central Highlands. The objectives of our survey were to test the existing biological index metric based on benthic macroinvertebrates at reference conditions in the high- and mid-altitude mountain streams of two ecoregions according to the requirements of the EU WFD and to determine which environmental factors influence the distribution of benthic macroinvertebrates. Our results revealed statistically significant differences in the values of the physical and chemical parameters of water as well as the mean values of metrics between the types of streams at the sampling sites. RDA analysis showed that the t…
Assessing Benthic Macroinvertebrates in Relations to Environmental Variables and Revitalisation Works
Abstract Macroinvertebrates of two ex-manor ponds located in Chroscina, Opole Region (Poland) were studied from 2015 to 2018 to investigate their community composition and diversity and evaluate the heterogeneity of communities on spatial and temporal scale referring to environmental variables and revitalisation work. A total of 32 taxa were recorded (at the family level, except Oligochaeta), 13 of which were Ephemeroptera, Odonata and Trichoptera, recognised as sensitive groups in lentic ecosystems. Macroinvertebrate richness and diversity varied considerably, especially in spring and summer. It was found that habitat heterogeneity influenced benthic invertebrates more than basic water par…
Effect of deicing salts on urban soils and health status of roadside trees in the Opole region.
This article reports on a study whose aim was to evaluate the impact of snow removal salts on urban soil properties and the health of roadside trees. The evaluation was done by chemical analyses of soil samples and plant matter combined with toxicity testing, performed with a Protoxkit F, a protozoan microbiotest. Samples were collected at 45 locations on three main roads in the town of Opole (Poland). The roads differed in the snow removal technology and amount of chemical substances (mostly NaCI) used on them during the winter. The study showed that when soil was exposed to a high level of NaCI, it tended to be more alkaline and also exhibited increased content of Na + and Cl - . The toxi…
Comparing modified biological monitoring working party score system and several biological indices based on macroinvertebrates for water-quality assessment
Abstract Macroinvertebrate communities from the lower Nysa Klodzka River catchment, southern Poland, were analyzed seasonally, in order to assess changes in their composition and structure, in relation to water quality. Two major groups of sites, differing in both morphological structure and taxonomical composition by cluster analysis, were identified within the catchment area. Wider and deeper sites, located along the Nysa Klodzka River, were associated with the dominance of Chironomidae. Sites assigned along tributaries were characterized by a diversified structure of dominant taxa, including Oligochaeta, Hirudinea, Crustacea, Trichoptera, Ephemeroptera and Diptera. The performance of the…
Rare and threatened pondweed communities in anthropogenic water bodies of Opole Silesia (SW Poland)
The paper presents results of geobotanic studies conducted in anthropogenic water bodies like excavation ponds, fish culture ponds, other ponds, dam reservoirs, ditches, channels and recreational pools incl. watering places in Opole Silesia and surroundings in the years 2002-2005. The research focused on occurrence of threatened and rare pondweed communities. As the result of the investigations of several dozen of water bodies, 28 localities of rare pondweed communities were documented by 75 phytosociological relevés. Associations of <em>Potametum trichoidis</em> J. et R Tx. in R. Tx. 1965, <em>Potametum praelongi</em> Sauer 1937, <em>P. alpini</em> Br.-B…
The potential of the Phytotoxkit microbiotest for hazard evaluation of sediments in eutrophic freshwater ecosystems
The applicability of the Phytotoxkit microbiotest for toxicity assessment of sediments in eutrophic freshwater ecosystems was evaluated. Sediments were collected from Turawa dam reservoir (southwestern Poland) which, for years, has been subjected to a marked nutrient enrichment and heavy metal contamination. The test plant species were exposed to whole sediments, solid phases of sediments, and pore waters. Phytotoxicity was estimated on the basis of seed germination and root elongation measurements, combined into an overall germination index (GI). For pore waters, the majority of GI values were not statistically different from the controls, which was consistent with chemical data. For solid…
Application of the new multimetric MMI_PL index for biological water quality assessment in reference and human-impacted streams (Poland, the Slovak Republic)
Abstract A new multimetric MMI_PL index, which is based on the macroinvertebrate composition and combines six single key metrics, has already been implemented in Poland according to the requirements of the EU Water Framework Directive. The objectives of our survey were to assess the biological water quality using the new multimetric MMI_PL index in both reference and human-impacted streams, to analyze whether the values of the new multimetric index properly reflect the ecological status of the water in upland and mountain streams as well as to determine which environmental factors influence the distribution of benthic macroinvertebrates and the values of the metrics. The study was carried o…
Comparison of the Phytotoxkit microbiotest and chemical variables for toxicity evaluation of sediments
The main objective of the research was to evaluate the suitability of the Phytotoxkit microbiotest as a tool for hazard assessment of sediments. The concentrations of oil derivatives, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, and Zn) were determined in sediment samples collected from the urban canal in Opole (Poland), in order to obtain a general insight of the level of sediment contamination. Phytotoxicity of sediments was estimated on the basis of seed germination and root elongation measurements, combined into an overall germination index (Gl). The results revealed spatial and vertical differentiation in sediment contamination. A good correlation …
Effect of NaCl road salt on the ionic composition of soils and Aesculus hippocastanum L. foliage and leaf damage intensity.
AbstractWe investigated the accumulation of sodium chloride in roadside soils and common horse chestnut Aesculus hippocastanum L. under urban conditions to evaluate changes in soil and leaf ionic content and their relationship with foliar damage, considering the visual assessment of trees of the same health status. A total of 15 field sites were assessed in late June 2016. The analysis included soil granulometric composition, pH, electrical conductivity, and the content of Cl−, Na+, K+, Ca2+, and Mg2+ ions in soil and foliage samples. The results showed increased salinity and alkalization of roadside soils together with the decreased magnesium content. Foliage samples manifested significant…
A disjunctive site of Sympecma paedisca (Brau.) (Odonata: Lestidae) in Opole Silesia (south-western Poland)
The occurrence of Sympecma paedisca in a small water body in the Limestone Quarry “Gorazdze” was recorded in 2010. This site is interesting because of the anthropogenic nature of ecosystem and its location 50 km west of the known range of the species.
Macrophyte and macroinvertebrate patterns in unimpacted mountain rivers of two European ecoregions
The aim of the study was to compare the patterns of development of macrophytes and macroinvertebrates in different types of reference mountain rivers. The study is based on reference river sites surveyed throughout the mountains in Poland and Slovakia in two European ecoregions (9—Central Highlands, 10—The Carpathians). A wide range of environmental variables were estimated, including water chemistry, hydromorphology, geology, and the spatial factor. Based on the Jaccard index, macrophyte and macroinvertebrate variation was confirmed between four mountain and upland river types. It was found that the biological diversification is mainly influenced by geological and associated chemical facto…
Use of the preliminary Jedlice Reservoir for water protection in the Turawa Reservoir on the Mała Panew River
Abstract Physico-chemical variables of water quality and benthic community structure were assessed in order to evaluate the need for reinstating the use of the preliminary Jedlice Reservoir. The waters of the Mała Panew River carry a significant load of nutrient compounds, particularly nitrates and phosphates. Deteriorating water quality results in permanent algal blooms and changes in the macrofauna structure. It was confirmed that the use of a preliminary reservoir could contribute to the protection of the Turawa Dam Reservoir against pollutants transported by the waters of the Mała Panew River.