Geographia Polonica (2017) vol. 90, iss. 4
Articles
Surface water storage in the Orava – Nowy Targ Basin, Western Carpathians
Geographia Polonica (2017) vol. 90, iss. 4, pp. 383-399 | 
Full text
doi: https://doi.org//10.7163/GPol.0113
Abstract
The Orava – Nowy Targ Basin is one of 31 basins found in the Western Carpathians. While average in size (643 km2), it is the only basin where large amounts of water are stored in vast peat bogs. Until the 16th century,it had not been inhabited and the amount of water stored in peat at that time was estimated to be 171 million m3. Due to the anthropogenic degradation of peat bogs the amount of water has decreased 2.7 times andit is now estimated at 62 million m3. Two dams built in the basin, in the second half of the 20th century, retain reservoirs that store 563 million m3 of water. This amount of water exceeds the earlier loss of water in peatfive times over. If the planned, more ambitious project of dam construction in the basin had been completed,the total capacity of the reservoirs would exceed the water loss in peat by 27 times. The index of lake retention including peat in relation to the area of the basin is determined to be currently 98 cm, but if the project of maximum development of the reservoirs in the basin had taken place, it would reach 270 cm. The estimated useful lifetime of the reservoirs studied suggests theoretically an 80% loss of their initial capacity over a timescaleof one thousand years. Taking into account the current regeneration of peat bogs, there is an optimistic outlook for the protection of the natural and anthropogenic water resources of the basin.
Keywords: surface waters, peat bog, dam-retained reservoir, Orava – Nowy Targ Basin, Orava – Podhale Peatland, Carpathians
[alajczak@o2.pl], Institute of Geography Pedagogical University of Krakow Podchorążych 2, 30-084 Krakow: Poland
Geographia Polonica (2017) vol. 90, iss. 4, pp. 401-415 | Full text
doi: https://doi.org//10.7163/GPol.0108
Abstract
The paper refers to the contemporary sensitivity of a ribbon flow-through lake to changeable meteorologicalconditions (precipitation, evaporation). We checked whether the lake morphology can affect the abruptchanges in hydrological conditions under which environmental changes occur. We analyzed changes in thelevel and extent of the water table in relation to morphological thresholds of a Charzykowskie Lake. Changesin the lake water level were disproportionate in relation to small changes in the volume of water involved in theexchange. During 55 years of observations, the lake water level did not exceed the threshold values of sensitivityto shortage or surplus stress.
Keywords: climate change, flow-through lake, Charzykowskie Lake, lake morphometry, lake sensitivity, natural resources management, physical limnology
[barbara.nowicka@uw.edu.pl], Faculty of Geography and Regional Studies University of Warsaw Krakowskie Przedmieście 30, 00-927 Warsaw: Poland
, Institute of Meteorology and Water Management – National Research Institute Podleśna 61, 01-673 Warsaw: Poland
, Institute of Meteorology and Water Management – National Research Institute Podleśna 61, 01-673 Warsaw: Poland
Variability of the zonal circulation index over Central Europe according to the Lityński method
Geographia Polonica (2017) vol. 90, iss. 4, pp. 417-430 | Full text
doi: https://doi.org//10.7163/GPol.0111
Abstract
The zonal index, version for Central Europe (called ‘for Poland’), was proposed by Lityński. He calculatedthe pressure difference between latitudes 40° and 65°N on the zone 0-35°E. This paper presents thecharacteristics of the zonal index based on Lityński’s concept and the NCEP/NCAR grid data. A statisticallysignificant increase (1948-2016) occurs in mean values of the zonal index for winter and for the entire year,as well as in the standard deviation and 99 percentile of zonal index. The annual course of the zonal indexis evident.
Keywords: annual course, atmospheric circulation, fluctuations, geostrophic wind, Central Europe, trends, zonal index
[marek.nowosad@poczta.umcs.lublin.pl], Maria Curie-Skłodowska University Faculty of Earth Science and Spatial Management al. Kraśnicka 2 cd, 20-718 Lublin: Poland
Identification of the Rozwarowo marshes using radar remote sensing
Geographia Polonica (2017) vol. 90, iss. 4, pp. 431-440 | Full text
doi: https://doi.org//10.7163/GPol.0109
Abstract
The main aim of the work was to develop methods of remote identification of marshes, detection of floodedterritories, and classification of plant cover on the basis of data of satellites operating in the optical and microwavespectres in particular. The research is done in 2014 on the territories of the Rozwarowo Marshes natureprotected area, located in the north-eastern Poland in the delta of Oder. The backscattering coefficients (σ°), calculated from Radarsat-2 (Phased Array type C-band Synthetic Aperture Radar) images registered at crosspolarization VH on 26 September 2014 were applied for classification of main types of wetland communities.The peculiarities of plant cover are also discovered using Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI),calculated on the basis satellite image SPOT-6 on September, the 1st, 2014. The differences in the NDVI valuewithin homogeneous segment of plant are caused, first of all by the soil moisture. Close connection betweenthe soil moisture and the NDVI value for the main groups of plant cover is detected. The application of coefficients σ°VH/σ°VV, calculated on the basis of radar images at the polarization VH and VV and the big rayangle (above 40°) of incidence are suggested for identification of flooded territories.
Keywords: Radarsat-2, radar backscatter, wetland habitats, NDVI, marshes monitoring
[tatiana.solovey@pgi.gov.pl], Polish Geological Institute – National Research Institute Rakowiecka 4, 00-975 Warsaw: Poland
Geographia Polonica (2017) vol. 90, iss. 4, pp. 441-461 | Full text
doi: https://doi.org//10.7163/GPol.0110
Abstract
The study analyses physiogeographical factors of the Zeravshan Range as a basis for environmental andhabitat diversity. They provided the background for considering conditions for the functioning of juniper forest ecosystems. The uniqueness of these ecosystems also relies on the longevity of Juniperus seravschanica Kom., J. semiglobosa Regel and J. turkestanica Kom. Physiognomic features of the landscape are conditioned by the habitat, climate, landforms, and recently also by anthropopressure. The ecological, environmental andthe cultural importance of juniper trees makes them a distinctive and determinant feature of the landscape. Currently juniper forests across Tajikistan, including those in the Zeravshan Mts., have been significantly disrupted as a result of chaotic, uncontrolled and excessive felling. The purpose of this article is to present natural conditions of juniper forest ecosystems, the impact of anthropogenic changes on their functioning as well as the occurrence of endemic species within them. The cultural importance of juniper in the protection of the surrounding landscape was also analysed.
Keywords: juniper forest, deforestation, mountain vegetation, environmental conditions, Zeravshan Valley, Tajikistan
[oimahmad.rahmonov@us.edu.pl], Faculty of Earth Sciences University of Silesia in Katowice Będzińska 60, 41-200 Sosnowiec: Poland
, Faculty of Earth Sciences University of Silesia in Katowice Będzińska 60, 41-200 Sosnowiec: Poland
, Faculty of Earth Sciences University of Silesia in Katowice Będzińska 60, 41-200 Sosnowiec: Poland
, University of Silesia , Earth Sciences Faculty, ul Będzińska 60, 41-200 Sosnowiec, Poland.University of Silesia , Earth Sciences Faculty, ul Będzińska 60, 41-200 Sosnowiec, Poland
, Faculty of Earth Sciences, University of Silesia Będzińska 60,41-200 Sosnowiec, Poland. Institute of Meteorology and Water Management Borowego 14, 30-215 Kraków, Poland.
, University of Silesia Faculty of Earth Sciences Będzińska 60, 41-200 Sosnowiec: Poland
Forest encroachment on temperate mountain meadows – scale, drivers, and current research directions
Geographia Polonica (2017) vol. 90, iss. 4, pp. 463-480 | Full text
doi: https://doi.org//10.7163/GPol.0112
Abstract
Meadows are characteristic features of the forested mountain landscape in the northern temperate zone.In terms of origin, they can be classified as natural, semi-natural and improved. Mountain meadows have greatecological value due to vast biodiversity and the ecosystem services they provide. However, over the past fewdecades, a significant decrease in their area has been observed in many places across the world. The purposeof this paper is to provide an overview of the scale and the main drivers of forest encroachment on temperatemountain meadows as well as to describe current research directions and methods. The observed declinein meadow area may be driven by natural factors related generally to climate change or may result fromchanges in land use. This process is investigated on a variety of spatial scales ranging from experimental plotsto entire geographic regions. Studies on forest encroachment on mountain meadows are now carried out by researchersfrom many different countries. Nevertheless, there still does not exist a complex, multidisciplinaryapproach and comparative studies for different mountain ranges are not found in the literature.
Keywords: origin of meadows. forest encroachment, secondary succession, climate change, land abandonment
[n.tokarczyk@doctoral.uj.edu.pl], Institute of Geography and Spatial Management Jagiellonian University Gronostajowa 7, 30-387 Kraków: Poland
Effect of a small dam reservoir on the water temperature in a Carpathian river
Geographia Polonica (2017) vol. 90, iss. 4, pp. 481-491 | Full text
doi: https://doi.org//10.7163/GPol.0107
Abstract
The article presents the evolution of water temperature changes in the Wisłok river (the upper Vistula basin)as an effect of Besko reservoir, existing since 1978, with a capacity of 15 million m3. The thermal effect of thissmall Carpathian reservoir is compared to that of larger reservoirs located in the region. As has been found in the analysis, the direction (increase or decrease) of the annual water temperature variations in the Wisłokas a consequence of the thermal conditions in the reservoir is the same as in other Carpathian rivers downstream of larger reservoirs. On the other hand, the scale of that effect is much smaller and it is observablein a shorter section of the river compared to other rivers with reservoirs. Therefore, the thermal effects of Beskoreservoir may be considered of little significance for the natural environment.
Keywords: water temperature, dam, reservoir, river, Carpathians
[wieja@zg.pan.krakow.pl], Instytut Geografii i Przestrzennego Zagospodarowania PAN
[kwesoly@krakow.rzgw.gov.pl], The Regional Water Management Board in Kraków Marszałka J. Piłsudskiego 22, 31-109 Kraków: Poland
Project Report
Geographia Polonica (2017) vol. 90, iss. 4, pp. 493-498 | Full text
[sebtys@wp.pl], Institute of Geography and Spatial Organization Polish Academy of Sciences, Kopernika 19, 87-100 Toruń, Poland
[halina.kaczmarek@ukw.edu.pl], Institute of Geography and Spatial Organization Polish Academy of Sciences, Kopernika 19, 87-100 Toruń, Poland
, Department of Hydrology and Water Management Nicolaus Copernicus University Lwowska 1, 87-100 Toruń: Poland
[marszel@umk.pl], Department of Hydrology and Water Management Nicolaus Copernicus University Lwowska 1, 87-100 Toruń: Poland
International ICLEA Final Symposium (Potsdam, 7-9 June 2017)
Geographia Polonica (2017) vol. 90, iss. 4, pp. 499-501 | Full text
[mfojutowski@wp.pl], Institute of Geography and Spatial Organization Polish Academy of Sciences, Kopernika 19, 87-100 Toruń, Poland
[mkramkowski@geopan.torun.pl], Instytut Geografii i Przestrzennego Zagospodarowania PAN
Poland on maps
Mapping ecosystem services – a new regional-scale approach
Geographia Polonica (2017) vol. 90, iss. 4, pp. 503-520 | Full text
doi: https://doi.org//10.7163/GPol.0114
Abstract
Identifying the potential of ecosystems to provide ecosystem services (ES) is largely dependent on the detailand completeness of the base ecosystem map. The existing guidelines for the construction of this type of mapinclude only a few basic types of ecosystems that work only at a national or international scale and are insufficient to identify the full potential of ecosystem services at local or regional scales. The aim of the study was to develop a comprehensive map of ecosystem types for mapping ecosystem services at a local and regionalscale in three selected communes located within young glacial landscape (NE Poland). As a result, a detailedmap of ecosystems has been constructed containing 42 ecosystem types including age and habitat categories.This original map is the first detailed cartographic work that can be successfully used to determine thepotential for ecosystem services to be provided by areas analysed in large scales. The proposed approach hasa universal character and can be also applied to any area analysed at similar spatial scales.
Keywords: ecosystem services, ecosystem, mapping, GIS, Poland
[boguslawa_kruczkowska@sggw.pl], Institute of Geography and Spatial Organization Polish Academy of Sciences, Twarda 51/55, 00‑818 Warszawa, Poland
[j.solon@twarda.pan.pl], Institute of Geography and Spatial Organization Polish Academy of Sciences, Twarda 51/55, 00‑818 Warszawa, Poland
[j.wolski@twarda.pan.pl], Institute of Geography and Spatial Organization Polish Academy of Sciences, Twarda 51/55, 00‑818 Warszawa, Poland