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RESEARCH PRODUCT

Spatial conflicts betweem modernizations of railway lines and natural values A case study of Poznań - Szczecin railway line

subject

description

One of the most intensive processes in the development of Polish transport infrastructure is currently modernizing main national railway lines. One of them is the railway line between Poznan and Szczecin. During the realization of such projects there occur conflicts in fulfilling different ecosystem functions by landscapes. On the basis of the theory of ecosystem services these conflicts should be solved, and potential projects – optimized. The study evaluates natural values of the areas adjacent to the railway line Poznań - Szczecin within a zone of 250 m, and also identifies areas with varying conflict degrees for the realization of the modernization project. The most important areas of high conflict are the primeval forests of Drawska Forest and Notecka Forest, with very high natural values and fulfilled functions of international migration corridors of large mammals. River valleys also make significant areas of increased conflict. They concentrate inside themselves units of rare wetland ecosystems with complexes of natural protected habitats and sites of protected animal species. The railway line crosses several major protected areas, including bird refuges and habitats of Natura 2000. It runs close to several nature reserves.