Seasonal dynamics of dry matter accumulation and nutrients in a mature miscanthus × giganteus stand in the lower silesia region of poland

Funding: J.C.B. and P.R.H.R. were funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council strategic programme grant on Resilient Crops (BBS/E/W/10963A01).Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Monitoring of Greenhouse Gases in the Atmosphere – A Polish Perspective

An overview of systematic observations of the trace-gas composition of the atmosphere over southern Poland is presented, against the background of data available for other greenhouse gas (GHG) monitoring stations in Europe. The results of GHG monitoring for three major greenhouse gases (CO2, CH4, N2O) are discussed. Measurements were performed at two locations of contrasting characteristics, i.e. (i) the high-altitude mountain station of Kasprowy Wierch in the High Tatras, representing atmospheric conditions relatively free of local infl uences, and (ii) an urban station located in the Krakow agglomeration. The GHG data available for the Kasprowy Wierch station were compared with relevant data available for two marine reference stations (Mace Head, Ireland and Terceira Island, Azores), and two continental stations (Hohenpeissenberg, Germany and Pallas-Sammaltunturi, Finland). The growth rates for the CO2 mole fraction recorded at these fi ve stations reveal only small temporal changes that almost coincide, leading to a quasi-linear increase of the CO2 mixing ratio over the European continent over the past 20 years. While N2O observations also reveal a steady increase over this time period, the mole fraction accounted for by CH4 is increasing again, after a period of stagnation in the years 2001–2007. The impact of continental sources of CH4 and N2O is seen clearly in the Kasprowy Wierch records. The mean departure between the CH4 mixing ratios recorded at Kasprowy Wierch and at the marine reference stations in the period 1994–2014 is of 27.3 ppb, and stems from continental emissions of this gas originating mainly from anthropogenic activities (leaking natural-gas distribution networks, landfi lls and livestock). For N2O, a departure of 1 ppb was observed for the period 2009–2014. Comparison of quasi-continuous measurements of CO2, CH4 and N2O mixing ratios made in the urban atmosphere of Krakow and at the regional reference site Kasprowy Wierch (located approximately 100 km away), allows for a deeper insight into the mechanisms controlling daily variations in atmospheric mixing ratios of these gases at the two sites. The development of a nocturnal inversion layer in the atmosphere above the city leads to local enhancements of CO2, CH4 and N2O mole fractions in the Krakow atmosphere during the night hours, with these exceeding the baseline level signifi cantly

Monitoring of Greenhouse Gases in the Atmosphere – A Polish Perspective

An overview of systematic observations of the trace-gas composition of the atmosphere over southern Poland is presented, against the background of data available for other greenhouse gas (GHG) monitoring stations in Europe. The results of GHG monitoring for three major greenhouse gases (CO2, CH4, N2O) are discussed. Measurements were performed at two locations of contrasting characteristics, i.e. (i) the high-altitude mountain station of Kasprowy Wierch in the High Tatras, representing atmospheric conditions relatively free of local infl uences, and (ii) an urban station located in the Krakow agglomeration. The GHG data available for the Kasprowy Wierch station were compared with relevant data available for two marine reference stations (Mace Head, Ireland and Terceira Island, Azores), and two continental stations (Hohenpeissenberg, Germany and Pallas-Sammaltunturi, Finland). The growth rates for the CO2 mole fraction recorded at these fi ve stations reveal only small temporal changes that almost coincide, leading to a quasi-linear increase of the CO2 mixing ratio over the European continent over the past 20 years. While N2O observations also reveal a steady increase over this time period, the mole fraction accounted for by CH4 is increasing again, after a period of stagnation in the years 2001–2007. The impact of continental sources of CH4 and N2O is seen clearly in the Kasprowy Wierch records. The mean departure between the CH4 mixing ratios recorded at Kasprowy Wierch and at the marine reference stations in the period 1994–2014 is of 27.3 ppb, and stems from continental emissions of this gas originating mainly from anthropogenic activities (leaking natural-gas distribution networks, landfi lls and livestock). For N2O, a departure of 1 ppb was observed for the period 2009–2014. Comparison of quasi-continuous measurements of CO2, CH4 and N2O mixing ratios made in the urban atmosphere of Krakow and at the regional reference site Kasprowy Wierch (located approximately 100 km away), allows for a deeper insight into the mechanisms controlling daily variations in atmospheric mixing ratios of these gases at the two sites. The development of a nocturnal inversion layer in the atmosphere above the city leads to local enhancements of CO2, CH4 and N2O mole fractions in the Krakow atmosphere during the night hours, with these exceeding the baseline level signifi cantly

Water Requirements of Bird Cherry (Padus avium Mill.)

Bird cherry (Padus avium Mill.) is a medicinal and ornamental plant. Its flowers, fruits and bark are used in herbal medicine. Bird cherry is planted in parks, along roads and also used in the landscape and reclamation plantations. The first three years after planting determines the seedling survival rate of introduced plants. During this period, the plants should have adequate soil moisture, which can be provided by the properly designed and operated irrigation system. The aim of the research was to assess the bird cherry water needs during the first three years after planting. As a measure of water requirements, the potential evapotranspiration (Etp) of the plants was applied. The modified for Polish conditions by Żakowicz (2010) Blaney-Criddle’s formula using the adjusted crop coefficients was applied. It was assumed that the growing season of plants starts on April 1 and ends on October 31. The estimates were carried out for five agro-climatic regions of Poland during the years 1981-2010. The rainfall deficiency (or excess) in the period from April to October was calculated based on the difference between the plants water needs (showed as Etp) and the precipitation totals. The average water requirements of bird cherry in all studied regions during the period of the highest water needs (July-August) were 233 mm. The highest water requirements (around 242 mm) in the period July- August occurred in the central-north-western and central-eastern regions. The lowest water requirements (227 mm) were noted in the north-eastern and southeastern regions. In each decade of the long-term, a significant rising tendency of water needs in the period July-August by 5 mm was noted. [...]Vytauto Didžiojo universitetasŽemės ūkio akademij

Water Needs of Black Locust (Robinia Pseudoacacia L.) in The First Three Years of Growing in Different Regions of Poland

Black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) is appreciated as an ornamental, but also as a honey and medicinal plant. Generally, the trees of this species are planted in the city parks and along streets. Black locust is also used in the soil remediation process, because it enriches the top layer of soil with nitrogen. High seedling survival rate on the reclamation areas determines the success of the first stage of remediation. The use of appropriate cultivars and high quality of seedlings, as well as ensuring sufficient water conditions by irrigation determines the reclamation results. However, firstly, it is necessary to determine the water requirements of the planted species. The aim of the presented study was the estimation of Robinia pseudoacacia L. water needs during the first three years of growing. A commonly used measure of the plant water requirements is a potential evapotranspiration that was calculated in the present study. The modified for Polish conditions by Żakowicz, Blaney-Criddle’s formula, using the adjusted crop coefficients, was applied. The assumption was that the growing period of black locust covers the interval from the beginning of April to the end of October. The calculations were carried out for the thirty years; from 1981 to 2010, in the different agro-climatic regions of Poland. The results presented a rising tendency in the black locust water needs during the growing season for all tested 30 years and in each considered region. The data indicates a gradual increase in the black locust water requirements in all studied regions of Poland. During the analyzed 30 years (1981-2010) the water needs of black locust during the growing season (IV-X) increased in every ten years by 9.8 mm in the central-eastern and south-eastern regions, 9.4 mm in the south-west region, 8.3 mm in the north-east region and 5.8 mm in the north-west region of PolandVytauto Didžiojo universitetasŽemės ūkio akademij