White stork (Ciconia ciconia) in the Łowicz District

Having analysed materials collected in the Łowicz District in 1968 1970, 1974, 1975, 1983 and 1984 the author proved the occurrence of a continuous increase in the number of nests which were not occupied by pairs and nests which had no breeding success. Since 1970 the total number of nestlings which left their nests has also been on the decrease. Between 1970 and 1975 the density of pairs calculated for 100 km2 increased from 11.37 to 14.00 and then decreased to 10.39 in 1984. Positive changes in density were preceded by a high efficiency of breeding, while negative ones by a low efficiency. Since 1970 an increase in the number of nests built on the poles of electric traction has been observed. The author has proved that in places where groupings of nests (HP) consisted of more than 5 ones and when the distances between nearest ones did not exceed 1.5 km, intraspecific competition was the most significant factor limiting the efficiency of breeding.Zadanie pt. „Digitalizacja i udostępnienie w Cyfrowym Repozytorium Uniwersytetu Łódzkiego kolekcji czasopism naukowych wydawanych przez Uniwersytet Łódzki” nr 885/P-DUN/2014 dofinansowane zostało ze środków MNiSW w ramach działalności upowszechniającej naukę

30-Year-Long Changes in Terrestrial Vertebrate Fauna of Niebieskie ŹródłA (Blue Springs) Nature Reserve in Tomaszów Mazowiecki, Central Poland

The article focuses on changes in terrestrial vertebrate fauna of Niebieskie Źródła (Blue Springs) Nature Reserve that occurred between two censuses carried out in the area. The first census was carried out in the period of 1968-1970, and the second census in the period of 1998-1999. In 1998-1999 the occurrence of four species of amphibians, 41 of birds and 15 of mammals was recorded. In comparison with investigations from 1968-1970 two species of amphibians, two species of mammals, and nine species of birds were found to have disappeared from the reserve. In the census carried out in 1998 and 1999 we recorded 22 new species of vertebrates: one new species of amphibian, five species of mammals, and 16 species of birds. The recent observations showed a decline in the abundance of amphibian species in the reserve, especially in the closest vicinity to the urban development around the city of Tomaszów Mazowiecki. The quantitative data on birds showed an increase in the numbers and abundance, which was mainly pronounced in the group of forest species, especially cavity and shrub nesters. We suggest that these changes are directly related to the succession of forest vegetation and its developing vertical structure, as well as to an increase in the forestation of the reserve area

Characterization of the selected population parameters of the white stork (Ciconia ciconia) In Central Poland

On the basis of the so far collected and/or published data on the White Stork of central Poland (the Łódź Upland) the authors undertook an attempt to explain the spatial and tem poral distribution of breeding efficiency, population density as well as nests localization and nest distribution in relation to human settlements. The efficiency of White Stork breeding depends on biotopic conditions and interspecific competition. Precipitation in spring has a positive while precipitation and low temperatures in June a negative impact on interspecific competition. Habitat conditions of the White Stork have begun to display a constant tendency to decrease in quality, mainly due to land draining. The interspecific competition depends on biotopic conditions and on density. Optimal habitat conditions, including weather ones, may largely neutralize the impact of the intraspecific competition, which enables the population an increase in density, leading even to the appearance of aggregations and colonies. A deterioration in habitat conditions increases interspecific competition, which decreases breeding success to a lower extent than that which could be expected, caused decomposition of aggregations and decrease in the density of breeding pairs. The appearance of a nest outside of the settlement area is a result of interspecific competition.Zadanie pt. „Digitalizacja i udostępnienie w Cyfrowym Repozytorium Uniwersytetu Łódzkiego kolekcji czasopism naukowych wydawanych przez Uniwersytet Łódzki” nr 885/P-DUN/2014 dofinansowane zostało ze środków MNiSW w ramach działalności upowszechniającej naukę

Breeding raptors in Łagiewniki forest in 2009-2010

Three breeding species of raptors were observed in Łagiewnicki Forest in 2009-2010 (number of breeding pairs): Common Buzzard Buleo buteo (5-6 pairs), Goshawk Accipiter gentilis (5 pairs), Sparrowhawk A ccipiter nisus (6 - 8 pairs). In the paper, the changes in raptor’s number during last 50 years are described and possible reasons of the changes are discussed.Zadanie pt. „Digitalizacja i udostępnienie w Cyfrowym Repozytorium Uniwersytetu Łódzkiego kolekcji czasopism naukowych wydawanych przez Uniwersytet Łódzki” nr 885/P-DUN/2014 dofinansowane zostało ze środków MNiSW w ramach działalności upowszechniającej naukę

The most important bird areas in the Łódź District

The eight areas of European or/and domestic importance for birds of Central Poland are presented in this paper. Jeziorsko and Sulejów Reservoirs; valleys of Pilica, Bzura, Ner and Grabia rivers; ponds in Walewice and ponds near Łowicz "Okręt” and "Rydwan” as well as Pilicka Forest and Zaięcze Landscape Park are described in the respect of bird communities and their potential risk assessment. Criteria for identification of other areas of local importance are proposed and 10 subsequent areas fulfilling them are listed.Zadanie pt. „Digitalizacja i udostępnienie w Cyfrowym Repozytorium Uniwersytetu Łódzkiego kolekcji czasopism naukowych wydawanych przez Uniwersytet Łódzki” nr 885/P-DUN/2014 dofinansowane zostało ze środków MNiSW w ramach działalności upowszechniającej naukę

Shortening day length as a previously unrecognized selective pressure for early breeding in a bird with long parental care

Several different selective pressures have been suggested to explain an intense competition for early return to breeding grounds in birds. In this study we hypothesized that shortening day length during summer months may constitute additional selective force acting towards early breeding in avian species with long parental care. To test this hypothesis, we studied time budget and foraging activities of early-nesting and late-nesting white storks Ciconia ciconia from the Central-European population. We found that duration and distance of foraging trips increased significantly over the course of the reproductive season. The relative frequency of foraging trips increased at the expense of other activities, such as resting, plumage maintenance, and nest maintenance. Mean daily foraging duration increased with increasing day length in the early part of the season, with 0.68 h of foraging per individual per 13.16 h of day length in mid-April increasing to 7.42 h of foraging per individual during solstice (16.61 h of day length). Afterwards, mean foraging duration continued increasing in spite of decreasing day length, reaching 11.63 h of foraging per individual per 14.92 h of day length at the end of the season in mid-August, when storks were forced to continue foraging after sunset in order to meet energy requirements of fledglings. The results suggest that shortening day length during summer months may constitute a serious time constraint on food delivery rates to offspring for late-breeding pairs of white storkEuropean Social Fund and the Polish National Budget in the D-RIM project of the Human Capital Programm

Environmental evaluation of Łódź basing on breeding avifauna composition

The evaluation was conducted using the bird species richness and occurrence of the key species. The key species were: 1. Species endangered globally according to IU CN/BirdLife International criteria, 2. Species of European Conservation Concern (C ategory 1-3), 3. Species from Annex I of Council Directive on the Convention of Wild Birds (79/409/EEC) 4. Species from Polish Red Animal Book, 5. Species which frequency of occurrence in Poland is < 10% according to Atlas of Breeding Birds in Poland data, 6 . Species which number of Polish breeding population is less than 1000 pairs. The key species breed in all kinds of habitats in Łódź. The most valuable habitats are weakly urbanized areas of river valleys and forest habitats with old tree-stands. Among the habitats the most endangered by changes are: river valleys and farmland areas.Zadanie pt. „Digitalizacja i udostępnienie w Cyfrowym Repozytorium Uniwersytetu Łódzkiego kolekcji czasopism naukowych wydawanych przez Uniwersytet Łódzki” nr 885/P-DUN/2014 dofinansowane zostało ze środków MNiSW w ramach działalności upowszechniającej naukę

Current knowledge of the Łódź Upland avifauna

The authors evaluated the state of the knowledge of the Łódź Upland (about 18 000 km 2) avifauna. The total of 278 bird species was recorded by authors in the study area since the last century. After 1945, the total of 267 species were recorded, including 180 breeding species. According to the authors’ estimates about 11% of the area was investigated more preciously. The best investigated regions are: the Bzura river valley, 219 species were recorded including 165 breeding ones, the Pilica river valley, where the respective values are 211 and 158, region of the Jeziorsko Reservoir - 247 observed species and 152 breeding ones, the vicinities of the locality of Rogów with 118 breeding species and the Łódź city area with 125 breeding species. The Łódź Upland has been the place o f breeding for some rare birds in Poland: Cormorant, Purple Heron, Lesser Spotted Eagle, Hen Harrier, Montague’s Harrier, Curlew, Ruff, Herring Gull, White-winged Tern, Whiskered Tern, Crane, Stonechat, Collared Flycatcher, Aquatic Warbler, Bearded Tit.Zadanie pt. „Digitalizacja i udostępnienie w Cyfrowym Repozytorium Uniwersytetu Łódzkiego kolekcji czasopism naukowych wydawanych przez Uniwersytet Łódzki” nr 885/P-DUN/2014 dofinansowane zostało ze środków MNiSW w ramach działalności upowszechniającej naukę

The risk of bullying and probability of help-seeking behaviors in school children : a Bayesian network analysis

An increase in aggressive behaviors in adolescents has been observed for a few years. The participation in bullying is associated with many psychosocial difficulties in adolescent development. On the other hand, the help-seeking behavior can be one of the most important protective factors that reduce the risk for this type of violence. The study was aimed at estimating the risk factors, as well as the protective factors of school bullying, by using the Bayesian networks to build a model allowing to estimate the probability of occurrence of the aggressive and help-seeking behaviors among school children. The focus was on individual risk/protective factors related to EAS temperament (emotionality, activity, and sociability) and variables related to the family context (level of cohesion, flexibility, family communication, and family life satisfaction). Bayesian methods have not been particularly mainstream in the social and medical sciences. The sample comprised 75 students (32 boys and 43 girls), aged 13–15 (M = 13.82; SD = 0.47). Assessment comprised The EAS Temperament Questionnaire, Family Adaptability & Cohesion Evaluation Scales FACES IV-SOR (Family Rating Scale), and Survey questionnaire. The Bayesian networks were applied. Depending on the values of the identified variables, very high a posteriori probability of bullying and help-seeking behaviors can be predicted. Four EAS subscales (Distress, Fear, Activity, Sociability) and two SOR subscales (Balanced Flexibility and Balanced Cohesion) were identified as predictors of bullying. Moreover, two SOR subscales (Family Communication and Life Family Satisfaction) and one EAS subscale (Sociability) were identified as predictors of help-seeking behaviors. The constructed network made it possible to show the influence of variables related to temperament and variables related to the family environment on the probability of bullying or the probability of seeking help and support. The Bayesian network model used in this study may be used in clinical practice

O harmonijny rozwój człowieka. Myśl pedagogiczna Profesora Andrzeja Jaczewskiego

Z wprowadzenia: "Andrzej Jaczewski, Profesor Honorowy Krakowskiej Akademii im. Andrzeja Frycza Modrzewskiego w Krakowie, uczony, który we wrześniu b.r. ukończy 90. rok życia, to najstarszy i jeden z nielicznych obecnie autorytetów naukowych w dziedzinie badań nad rozwojem seksualnym dzieci i młodzieży. Jego działalność sytuuje się na pograniczu nauk medycznych i pedagogicznych."(...