Freshwater lichens on submerged stones and alder roots in the Polish lowlands

The article presents the results of the studies of lichens in streams and spring areas of the escarpment zone of Wzniesienia Łódzkie Heights in Central Poland. The boulders, stones and roots of Alnus glutinosa, situated in 3 inundated zones in the streams: submerged zone, fluvial mesic zone and fluvial xeric zone, were examined in the streams. The studies have shown 23 species connected with these streams. Six species of freshwater lichens: Verrucaria aquatilis, V. hydrela, Hydropunctaria rheitrophila, V. margacea, V. praetermissa and V. madida, occupied stones in 3 different zones. Verrucaria aquatilis and Hydropunctaria rheitrophila colonized also secondary substrates – the bark of alder roots incrusted with sand grains and silt

Abiotic Determinants of the Historical Buildings Biodeterioration in the Former Auschwitz II – Birkenau Concentration and Extermination Camp

The paper presents the results of a study conducted at the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum in Oświecim on the occurrence of biodeterioration. Visual assessment of the buildings revealed signs of deterioration of the buildings in the form of dampness, bulging and crumbling plaster, and wood fiber splitting. The external surfaces, and especially the concrete strips and ground immediately adjoining the buildings, were colonized by bryophytes, lichens, and algae. These organisms developed most intensively close to the ground on the northern sides of the buildings. Inside the buildings, molds and bacteria were not found to develop actively, while algae and wood-decaying fungi occurred locally. The factors conducive to biological corrosion in the studied buildings were excessive dampness of structural partitions close to the ground and a relative air humidity of above 70%, which was connected to ineffective moisture insulation. The influence of temperature was smaller, as it mostly affected the quantitative composition of the microorganisms and the qualitative composition of the algae. Also the impact of light was not very strong, but it was conducive to algae growth

Impacts of soil conditions and light availability on natural regeneration of Norway spruce Picea abies (L.) H. Karst. in low-elevation mountain forests

& Key message Natural regeneration of P. abies (L.) H. Karst. may reach high densities in lower mountain elevations. The highest densities were found in sites with moderate light availability, with low pH, and not near the riverbank. However, age-height classes differed in the predicted magnitude of response, but were consistent in response directions. Mosses and understory species typical of coniferous forests were positively correlated with regeneration density. & Context Norway spruce Picea abies (L.) H. Karst. in Central Europe is at risk under climate change scenarios, particularly in mountain regions. Little is known about the impact of environmental factors on the natural regeneration of P. abies in lowelevation mountain forests. & Aims We aimed to assess impacts of distance from the riverbank, soil pH, and light availability on natural P. abies regeneration. We hypothesized that (1) natural P. abiesregeneration would depend on light availability and soil pH and (2) there are understory plant species which may indicate the microsites suitable for natural regeneration of P. abies. & Methods The study was conducted in the Stołowe Mountains National Park (SW Poland, 600–800 m a.s.l.). We established 160 study plots (25 m2 ) for natural regeneration, light availability, soil pH, and understory vegetation assessment

Plant communities of the Czerwona Woda River Valley (Stołowe Mountains National Park)

The Czerwona Woda River is the main watercourse in the Stołowe Mountains National Park and drains the major part of the Stołowe Mts. It was regulated in the past, but its channel has been spontaneously naturalized. Now, managed spruce forests grow along almost the entire length of this small mountain stream. The aims of the present study were to investigate diversity of plant communities connected with the Czerwona Woda stream and to prepare detailed vegetation maps. The results obtained can potentially be a reference for future restoration projects implemented in the Stołowe Mountains National Park. As a result of vegetation mapping, there were distinguished 20 plant communities representative of the current vegetation and 3 communities representative of the potential vegetation. Phytosociological data on the vegetation was documented by making 62 phytosociological relevés. Based on these, 9 forest communities were distinguished, of which 3 were classified into associations, 1 – into alliance, 5 – into secondary forest communities. Furthermore, there were distinguished 14 non-forest communities, of which 10 were classified into associations. Several of the phytosociological classes distinguished have been reported for the first time in the Stołowe Mountains National Park

Assessment of biological colonization of historic buildings in the former Auschwitz II-Birkenau concentration camp

The objective of this study was to assess biological colonization of wooden and brick buildings in the former Auschwitz II-Birkenau concentration camp, and to identify the organisms colonizing the examined buildings. Microbiological analysis did not reveal increased microbial activity, and the total microbial count of the barrack surfaces did not exceed 10(3) CFU/100 cm(2). However, certain symptoms of biodegradation of the buildings were observed. The predominant microflora consisted of bacteria of the genera Bacillus, Sporosarcina, Pseudomonas, Micrococcus, Streptomyces, and Staphylococcus, as well as fungi of the genera Acremonium, Cladosporium, Alternaria, Humicola, Penicillium, and Chaetomium. The microflora patterns varied both in wooden and brick buildings. The structural elements of wooden and brick barracks, and especially of the floors and lower parts of bathroom walls, were infected by cyanobacteria and algae, with the most numerous being cyanobacteria of the genera Scytonema, Chroococcus, Gloeothece, Leptolyngbya, diatoms of the genus Diadesmis, and chlorophytes of the genera Chlorella and Apatococcus. The outer surfaces of the examined buildings were primarily colonized by lichens and bryophytes, with nearly 30 species identified. The dominant species of lichens belonged to the genera Candelariella, Caloplaca, Lecanora, Lecidea, Lepraria, Physcia, and Protoparmeliopsis, and those of bryophytes to the genera Bryum, Ceratodon, Marchantia, and Tortula. The quantity and species diversity of lichens and mosses were much lower in wooden barracks than in brick ones. The external surfaces of those barracks were only affected by Lecanora conizaeoides, Lecanora symmicta, Lepraria cf. incana, and Strangospora pinicola. The study results revealed vast biodiversity among the species colonizing historic buildings. The presence of these groups of organisms, resulting from their natural expansion in the environment, is undesirable, as their excessive growth and spread may lead to progressive biodegradation of buildings. Our assessment of biological contamination will enable the development of a disinfection and conservation plan for the examined buildings

Biodeterioration symptoms of internal part of buildings (numerical value of deterioration in a 4-point scale).

<p>a) the middle part of building, damages of the floor (3– ground floor: intensive changes, 2– walls: moderate changes); b) block master’s room and storeroom, damages of the wood floor, algae and cyanobacteria colonization (3– ground floor: intensive changes, 1– walls: small changes); c) bunk bed partitions, bulging and crumbling plaster (3– intensive changes); d) damages of bunk beds board caused by wood-decaying fungi (2– moderate changes, locally).</p

Temperature inside the studied buildings [°C]; SD values did not exceed ±1.4°C.

<p>Temperature inside the studied buildings [°C]; SD values did not exceed ±1.4°C.</p

Moisture content and microbial counts in mineral materials depending on distance from the ground: ▴ moisture content [%]; □ number of microorganisms [log CFU g⁻¹].

<p>Moisture content and microbial counts in mineral materials depending on distance from the ground: ▴ moisture content [%]; □ number of microorganisms [log CFU g⁻¹].</p

Microbial contamination of building surfaces [CFU 100 cm⁻²].

<p>R - range; M - mean; SD - standard deviation; nd - not detected; nc - not calculated.</p><p>Microbial contamination of building surfaces [CFU 100 cm⁻²].</p