Comparison of temperature indices for three IPCC SRES scenarios based on RegCM simulations for Poland in 2011–2030 period

The regional climate model RegCM3 is used to investigate potential future changes of temperature indices in Poland for the period 2011–2030. The model is forced by ECHAM5/MPI-OM GCM data from World Data Centre (WDCC) database for the 1971–1990 reference period and 2011–2030 projection period under SRES B1, A1B and A2 emission scenarios. Model output statistics methods are used to transform simulated minimum and maximum temperature data into realistic data. Selected indices of temperature extremes and their differences between the scenario simulations and the reference were calculated, for all scenarios, for the entire period and for each season. Results show a mean yearly increase in the number of summer and hot days and a decrease in the number of frost and ice days. Highest decline in the number of frost and ice days in autumn and an increase in spring is noticed. An highest increase in the number of summer and hot days is seen in summer. Future projections of these indices are relevant for studies on climate change impact in agriculture, tourism, health, transportation, road and building infrastructure.This work was carried out as part of the project KLIMAT "Impact of climate change on the society, the environment and the economy (changes, effects and ways of limiting them, conclusions for science and engineering practice and economic planning)". No POIG.01.03.01- 14-011/08 in frames of the Operational Programme Innovative Economy, co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund. Authors thank anonymous reviewers for valuable comments

Number-conserving cellular automata with a von Neumann neighborhood of range one

We present necessary and sufficient conditions for a cellular automaton with a von Neumann neighborhood of range one to be number-conserving. The conditions are formulated for any dimension and for any set of states containing zero. The use of the geometric structure of the von Neumann neighborhood allows for computationally tractable conditions even in higher dimensions.Comment: 15 pages, 3 figure

Children's Savings Accounts: Why Design Matters

Estimates how specific features of CSAs -- supplemental grants, federal matches, private contributions, and nontaxability -- would affect the impact of CSAs on wealth distribution. Analyzes data by mother's race/ethnicity, income, and education

When time is money: Contested rationalities of time and challenges to the theory and practice of work.

An explicit focus on time challenges established social science traditions. As such, it changes the ontology, epistemology and methodology of the social study of work. It offers a new perspective on power relations, on past and current employment and production practices, and on the effect of the industrial way of life on the environment. This paper explores the impact of the commodification of time on work and wider socio-environmental relations and considers the valorisation of speed in work and production processes. It brings to the fore taken-for-granted incongruities between different time priorities. Finally, it investigates the implications of the non-stop work patterns associated with globalised information and trade

A social theory exploration of responsibility for long term futures

In this paper I am concerned with contemporary industrial societies’ ability to extend themselves into the far future by economic, scientific and political means on the one hand and their inability to know the potential, diverse and multiple outcomes of this produced futurity on the other. I focus on this discrepancy between the future extension of action and knowledge in order to consider how we (as citizens and academics) may be better able to take responsibility for such long-term and often unknown and unknowable effects. I want to explore what strategies are available for situations where the industrial way of life creates long-term futures but our conceptual tools to know those outcomes are woefully inadequate. I seek to a) establish the status quo by outlining current practices and b) explore today’s available options for forethought and moral action. In the process I revisit historical approaches to the future on the assumption that the past may well hold vital clues for today’s dilemma

Morphological variability of Cardaminopsis halleri (L.) Hayek from selected habitats in the Silesian Upland (Southern Poland)

Cardaminopsis halleri, a known hyperaccumulator, shows considerable morphological variability in the territories with a high level of heavy metal (Zn, Cd, Pb) pollution. Therefore, the presented studies were designed as an attempt to explain the scope and causes of observed variability. Plants from Cardaminopsis halleri populations was collected in the vegetation seasons of 2003 and 2004 in the vicinity of two sources of zinc and lead pollution and from two control localities. For each individual, 15 quantitative variables (traits) and 12 qualitative ones were analysed. Statistically significant differences were shown for qualitative and quantitative traits, attesting to high morphological variability between the investigated populations of Cardaminopsis halleri. Populations exposed to strong heavy metal pollution were characterised by significantly smaller size of rosette and stem leaves in comparison to control populations. Chromosome numbers of all individuals in the studied populations is the same (2n = 16), which proves that the observed differences are not a result of polyploidy. The populations from Bieszczady (control localities) differ significantly from the populations from Silesia with regard to a number of qualitative and quantitative characteristics. High heavy metal pollution is one of important factors which influence the morphological variability of investigated Cardaminopsis halleri populations

Differentiation of vertical limit of forest at the Babia Góra Mt., the Western Carpathian Mountains

The work contains quantitative analysis of differentiation of altitudinal position and sinuosity of two lines determining the course of forest limit, i.e. timberline and treeline within Babia Góra Mt. (1725 m a.s.l.) homoclinal flysch ridge (the Western Carpathians). The course of the empiric timberline was delimited basing on aerial photographs with details from spatial data of Aerial Laser Scanning conducted in 2012. On the N slope, the course of timberline is exclusively conditioned by natural factors, whereas on the S slope this line was shifted downwards as a result of sheep and cattle grazing (however it has shown progression for the last 80 years). In the course of theoretical treeline conditioned by macrotopography and local climate, the mass-elevation effect is visible, and on the N slope, additionally, a sub-summit downward shift (the Diablak effect) occurs. The sequence of natural factors, according to their positive or negative influence on timberline and treeline courses was determined

Chosen aspects of threatened moss species occurrence in urban areas - a case study of Katowice

Fifty eight moss species were noted in the area of Katowice, which have been listed as threatened locally or threatened in the country. Almost 80% of these are rare species, which occur in up to 5 localities within the area discussed. They are scattered all over the town. However, their density distinctly increases in forest areas (up to 5 species per 1 km2). Their habitat preferences, synanthropization degree, as well as dynamic tendencies, are analysed in the paper presented. An interesting group of species consists of those recorded exclusively in anthropogenic habitats ñ especially those occurring on a concrete, rock-like substrate or on epigeic initial habitats. Very characteristic is the distribution of Weissia controversa ñ it grows only in abandoned, barren places around a zinc and lead smelting works, where the substrate pH ranges from 7 to 8. It should be noted that 3 localities of Discelium nudum were recorded ñ a moss which not so long ago ceased to be considered as extinct in Poland