The Natural History of Poland

The present book “Poland – History, Culture and Society. Selected Readings” is the third edition of a collection of academic texts written with the intention to accompany the module by providing incoming students with teaching materials that will assist them in their studies of the course module and encourage further search for relevant information and data. The papers collected in the book have been authored by academic teachers from the University of Łódź, specialists in such fields as history, geography, literature, sociology, ethnology, cultural studies, and political science. Each author presents one chapter related to a topic included in the module or extending its contents. The book contains the extensive bibliography

Endangered species of segetal the flora of the Rzeszów voivodeship

Wydano przy pomocy finansowej Uniwersytetu Łódzkiego oraz Komitetu Badań NaukowychThe subject of the researches whose results are presented in this paper was segetal vegetation that can be found in grain and root agricultures of the following districts: Błażowa, Boguchwała, Grodzisko Dolne, Krasne, Lubenia, Rzeszów, Sokołów Małopolski and Tyczyn. The aim of the paper was to characterize the region of the researches in individual districts and to present a synthesis of the research results in relation to extinct, endangered and rare species (tab. V).Zadanie pt. „Digitalizacja i udostępnienie w Cyfrowym Repozytorium Uniwersytetu Łódzkiego kolekcji czasopism naukowych wydawanych przez Uniwersytet Łódzki” nr 885/P-DUN/2014 zostało dofinansowane ze środków MNiSW w ramach działalności upowszechniającej naukę

Not simply volcanoes – The Geoheritage of the Cretaceous System in the Land of the Extinct Volcanoes Geopark, West Sudetes (SW Poland)

Volcanic geoheritage is emphasized as the main asset and distinctive characteristic of the Land of Extinct Volcanoes Geopark in the West Sudetes (SW Poland). However, the geoheritage values of the region are not limited to the legacy of ancient volcanism but include various other elements. This paper explores the contribution of geosites that expose sedimentary rocks of Cretaceous age and landforms developed upon these rocks. Six localities from the Geopark area, included in the comprehensive regional inventory of geosites, are presented. They represent natural and man-made sandstone outcrops and show, among others, lithological variations, small- and large-scale post-sedimentary deformation structures, landforms arising from differential weathering (rock shelters, honeycombs), boulder fields and a sandstone xenolith in volcanic rocks. Next, five localities from outside the Geopark, but still within the Pogórze Kaczawskie region, are described. Qualitative and quantitative evaluation of both groups is attempted, and the results show that, in general, geosites within the Geopark rank higher. However at least two from the other group also have significant geotourist potential. Finally, a brief comparative analysis with other parts of the Sudetes, where Cretaceous sedimentary rocks occur, is offered

Morphometry and distribution of Senecio nemorensis agg. species (Asteraceae) in Poland

A morphometric analysis based on 316 herbarium specimens of Senecio nemorensis agg. indicated the occurrence of the following four species in Poland: S. germanicus Wallr., S. hercynicus Herborg, S. ovatus (G. Gaertn. et al.) Willd. and S. ucranicus Hodálová. Principal component analysis (PCA), analysis of variance (ANOVA)/Kruskal-Wallis test and canonical discriminant analysis (CDA) were applied. Quantitative characters such as supplementary bract length, leaf base width, ligule length and the supplementary/involucral bract length ratio clearly discriminated taxa within S. nemorensis agg. Included is a distribution map of the investigated species based on the examined material, with particular emphasis on the course of the northeastern boundary of S. hercynicus and the northwestern boundary of S. ucranicus. Also given is a determination key for species within S. nemorensis agg. in Poland, together with morphological descriptions of particular species

Taxonomy and distribution of Allium ursinum (Liliaceae) in Poland and adjacent countries

The paper presents distribution data on Allium ursinum L. in Poland, with additional records from the other European countries. The study comprised 367 herbarium specimens, drawn from most of Polish herbaria and individuals obtained during field investigations. Two subspecies have been recorded: A. ursinum L. subsp. ursinum and A. ursinum subsp. ucrainicum Kleop. et Oxner. The study also documents the presence of intermediate populations at the border of the distribution ranges for both subspecies. In addition, the paper presents the pedicel structure and pollen grains ultrasculpture of each subspecies under a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Finally, questions in respect of the distribution data and habitat preferences are discussed

Abundance and conservation status of Rosa gallica in Strzyżów Foothills (SE Poland)

Rosa gallica is a rare, threatened, and legally protected species; hence, research on this species is important for identification of threats and development of protection strategies. The aim of the study was to characterise plant communities with Rosa gallica and to determine the habitat conditions, abundance, and diversity of selected population traits. The study was conducted in 2016-2020 in two localities (Bukowa, Kołaczyce) in Strzyżów Foothills. Twenty phytosociological relevés were made using the Braun-Blanquet method. The habitat conditions were assessed using Ellenberg indicator values. The following parameters were used to evaluate the diversity and quantitative relationships between the species in the analysed communities: Shannon-Wiener diversity (H՛), Evenness (J՛), and Simpson dominance (SIMP) indices. The size of the analysed populations was estimated based on the number of vegetative and generative shoots. Height was measured in 100 randomly selected shoots, and the number of flowers per generative shoot was additionally determined. Rosa gallica was part of the community with Brachypodium pinnatum in the Bukowa locality and occurred in the association Arrhenatheretum elatioris in Kołaczyce. The diversity indices had higher values ​​in Kołaczyce. The population in Bukowa covered an area of 500 m2 and comprised 911 (578 generative and 333 vegetative) shoots. From 1 to 10 flowers per shoot were noted. The population from Kołaczyce occupied a twofold smaller area and was less numerous, i.e. 465 (168 generative and 297 vegetative) shoots were recorded. It was also characterised by less abundant flowering (1-5 flowers per shoot). There were differences in the height of the generative and vegetative shoots. The parameter exhibited higher values in Bukowa ​​(55.17 and 36.95 cm, respectively) than in Kołaczyce (33.79 and 26.79 cm, respectively). All the habitat indices (except for K and R) and the biodiversity indices had higher values in Kołaczyce. The present results show that Rosa gallica occurs in a wide range of habitats varying in light, moisture, and fertility requirements. It grows in different-sized clusters or sometimes produces single shoots. Advanced succession has a negative impact on the conservation status of the population, which is particularly evident in the Kołaczyce locality. Therefore, the conservation of this species will depend on active protection measures

The effect of human capital on labour productivity of farms in Poland

This study aims to determine the relationship between total, average and marginal human factor productivity and the level of education of a farm manager in Poland. The study was carried out based on unit empirical data from the monitoring of the Polish Farm Accountancy Data Network (FADN) and covered the four Polish FADN macro-regions: Pomorze & Mazury, Wielkopolska & Śląsk, Mazowsze & Podlasie and Małopolska & Pogórze. The study involved the Cobb-Douglas production function method. Using the relationship between total production (in PLN) of a farm and the aggregated production factors such as total labour input in AWU (Annual Work Unit), area of arable land (ha) and fixed assets (PLN), labour productivity was determined based on the level of education of the farm manager. The results indicate that the flexibility of production in relation to the labour factor was significantly higher in the group of farms managed by farmers with higher-level education in two out of four analysed macro-regions and on a national scale. In addition, human capital approximated by the level of education had a positive effect on the average and marginal productivity of the analysed farms

New localities of Sarcodontia crocea (Polyporales, Basidiomycota) in Poland

Sarcodontia crocea is a fungus relatively rarely recorded in Central and Northern Europe, where as a parasite it grows mainly on old apple trees. The most recent data on the occurrence of this fungus in Poland are presented in this study. Seven new localities of S. crocea are reported, found in the regions of Mazowsze, Podkarpacie, Ziemia Łódzka, and Żuławy Wiślane in the years 2013–2016. The S. crocea basidiomes were recorded on 12 apple trees. The fungus occurrence on Malus pumila ‘Niedzwetzkyana’ was documented for the first time. Four beetle species representing four families were found in the studied S. crocea basidiomes. Their feeding on S. crocea has not been mentioned in the literature so far

An Attempt to Update Edward Dembowski’s Philosophy of Creation

The article mainly discusses Edward Dembowski's philosophy of creation in connection with his Hegelian influences, leftist associations and the ongoing discussion in nineteenth century romantic polish philosophy. The nineteenth century, with its German Idealism and French tendency to act in the name of social rights, had introduced new ideas to work with during harsh historical times. Dembowski, amongst other Poles, was the closest to constructing a coherent metaphysical system for the philosophy of creation (filozofia twórczości). In the paper, I try to show a part of his intellectual evolution, stretching from defining philosophy as knowledge itself in the form of a Hegelian system, through his critique of Hegel's and Cieszkowski's systems, up to his own established system – the philosophy of creation and its social connections. I also speculate about which of his philosophical ideas can remain relevant today

CONTENT OF SULPHATE SULPHUR IN DIFFERENT TYPES OF SOILS IN THE PODKARPACKIE REGION

The aim of the investigation was the estimation of sulphate sulphur in soils in the Podkarpackie Province. The content of sulphate sulphur within the soils developed on flysch works subject to strong spatial variability of 0.87 g kg-1 in the Przemyoel Foothills to 2.00 g kg-1 in the Cieżkowickie and Strzyżowskie Foothills. The content of sulphate sulphur in soils is positively correlated with the content of humus in the Western Bieszczady Mountains and the content of colloidal clay fraction within the Tarnogrodzki Plateau and Rzeszów Foothills. In soil types: Haplic Cambisol, Haplic Cambisol (Dystric), Haplic Cambisol Podzolised, Haplic Podzol and Haplic Luvisol found in the Podkarpackie Province there is no significant variation of the sulphate Sulphur content (average 1.73-1.93mg100g-1), but less sulphur was found in Haplic Cambisol (Eutric) soils