The role and the quality of environmental analyses in the spatial planning process : an example from the buffer zone of Słowiński National Park (Poland)

The paper presents the assessment of spatial planning process in the buffer zone of Słowiński National Park in Poland. The detailed analysis was carried out in the selected area (Smołdzino municipality) which is covered by Local Spatial Development Plan (LSDP). The spatial planning documents, especially the ones concerning natural conditions of the area (e.g. ecophysiographic analyses), were analysed in terms of their quality. Also, the author conducted field mapping in order to verify the compliance of documents with actual land use. In the buffer zone of national park a particular care of the natural environment should be taken. However, the quality of the analysed documents is poor, even in respect of their factual content. Authors of the documents often abandon expensive and time-consuming field studies, hence the documents tend to be prepared based on outdated cartographic materials. The preparation process of spatial planning documents is well defined in law. However, the research shows that even well-designed legal framework would not result in the highquality documents. It is often a personal factor of the authors failing to perform their duties properly, which impact the final outcomes

Landscape perception among various cultural groups on the example of Cracow and Istanbul residents

W niniejszej pracy zaprezentowano podobieństwa i różnice w postrzeganiu kraj obrazu przez Polaków i Turków. W ramach badań przeprowadzono ankiety z mieszkańcami Krakowa i Stambułu. W ankietach wykorzystano dziesięć zdjęć przedstawiających wybrane typy krajobrazu Polski i Turcji, sklasyfikowane na podstawie Europejskiej Klasyfikacji Krajobrazu (LANMAP). Badania wykazały, że choć ogólna ocena krajobrazu wśród mieszkańców Krakowa i Stambułu jest podobna, to przy wyrażaniu skrajnych emocji istnieją różnice. Przeprowadzone badania i analiza wyników pozwoliły wyciągnąć wnioski i uwagi metodyczne dotyczące wykonywania tego typu badań.This paper reports the similarities and differences in landscape perception between two various cultural groups (Poles and Turks –Cracow and Istanbul residents). Landscape photos used in the study were focusing on 10 selected types of landscapes –5 for each country (Poland and Turkey). They were categorized using an European Landscape Classification (LANMAP). The analysis was based on interviews with photo-based assessing procedures among Cracow and Istanbul residents. The survey instrument was available in Polish and Turkish. Generally, landscape perception is similar among Cracow and Istanbul residents whereas the differences can be noticed. This paper outlines also the methodological conclusions about this type of research

Assessment of the visual attractiveness of the landscape : application in spatial planning

Praca przedstawia próbę oceny atrakcyjności wizualnej krajobrazu trzech wybranych dolin : Będkowskiej, Kobylańskiej i Kluczwody w Parku Krajobrazowym Dolinki Krakowskie w oparciu o metodę bonitacji punktowej. Metoda ta polegała na wyborze i analizie kryteriów wpływających na atrakcyjność wizualną krajobrazu. Wybrane kryteria posłużyły do przygotowania mapy wartości wizualno-estetycznej krajobrazu. Dzięki niej możliwe było wyznaczenie miejsc o największych walorach krajobrazowych. Dokonano także oceny możliwości zastosowania metody dla potrzeb planowania przestrzennego.The landscape is an important part of the quality of life for most people. Today, the changes are seen as a negative evolution because they cause a loss of landscape diversity, coherence and identity. Therefore, the landscape should be properly planned and protected (Antrop 2005). The paper concerns the evaluation of the visual attractiveness of the landscape of three study areas : Będkowska, Kobylanska and Kluczwody valleys located in the Polish Jurassic Highland within the Kraków Valleys Landscape Park. Visual assessment of the attractiveness of the landscape of these valleys was conducted using the point bonitation method. Bonitation is one of the most common research method used in geography e.g. for the evaluation of natural environment and landscape (Kot 2014). The method was based on the analysis and selection of criteria (natural and cultural elements) which have an effect on the visual attractiveness of the landscape (Śleszyński 1999; Wolski 2002). These criteria were used for the preparation of maps presenting the visual and aesthetic value of the landscape with application of GIS. These maps allowed to find areas with the highest landscape values. Moreover, it was possible to identify threatened landscapes, and those that should be protected. Furthermore, the paper presents the examples of the application of this method in environmental management and landscape plannin

Piping forms in the Bieszczady Mountains (Eastern Carpathians)

The aim of this paper is to present the piping forms in the Bieszczady Mts., their morphology and morphometry. Piping as a mechanical removal of soil by subsurface concentrated water flow leads to the formation of underground channels (pipes). They become visible on the surface when a pipe roof collapses. Subsequently, surface piping forms are created. Sometimes a pipe inlet or a pipe outlet can be located. The piping forms and features are described and characterized - both erosional (sinkhole, closed depression, blind gully) and depositional (piping fan). Finally, the comparison of piping forms in different regions of the world is presented

Long-term landscape changes in the Ojców National Park (Poland) and its surroundings : implications for the effectiveness of buffer zones

Protected areas (PAs) serve as crucial elements in biodiversity conservation but are in danger of becoming isolated islands in human-dominated landscapes. It is related to landscape changes, especially changes in land use and land cover (LULC). Over the past decades, most research on the effectiveness of nature conservation has focused mainly on PAs, while the areas surrounding PAs are of key importance for maintaining ecological connectivity and biodiversity. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to determine the long-term changes in LULC within the selected national park in Poland and its surroundings and to assess the effectiveness of the BZ based on these changes. We hypothesized that, despite restrictions within the buffer zone, land development has intensified and increased, in the nearest surroundings of the analyzed national park. For the analysis, we selected Ojców National Park (southern Poland), one of the oldest national parks in Poland. We analyzed landscape changes before (since the 1930s) and after establishing the park and its BZ. We conducted a comprehensive quantitative analysis of the landscape structure and LULC. We used historical maps and the contemporary national LULC database. Our results showed that almost 40% of the study area consisted of lands with non-persistent LULC. The main changes include a three-fold increase in built-up areas and an increase in forest cover, mainly on abandoned agricultural land. We also found that land development around the national park is at a level similar to the general rate for the area outside the BZ. It suggests the ineffectiveness of the buffer zone in preventing land development. The identified long-term landscape changes the basis for sustainable development land management from the nature conservation perspective

Andropause : state of the art 2015 and review of selected aspects

The term ‘male menopause’ was first used in 1944 to describe various complaints of ageing men which at least partially mirrored the climacteric symptoms in women. Continuous research resulted in the evolution of opinions about the nature of these complaints, from the clinical syndrome, diagnosed with the use of diseasetargeted questionnaires, to a well-defined clinical and biochemical syndrome. The pathophysiological causes - gonad ageing (with a compensatory rise in luteinizing hormone), age-related increase in serum sex hormonebinding globulin (SHBG) levels, the role of visceral adipose tissue as a place for aromatization of androgen to estrogen, and lower sensitivity of testosterone receptors - have been described. However, no consensus was reached as far as the definition, incidence, treatment, and especially testosterone therapy, are concerned. Our review presents the current standpoints, indicating the predictive role of late-onset hypogonadism (LOH) in evaluating male health as well as the current literature reports on the risks and benefits of using testosterone therapy

Complications in modern hysteroscopic myomectomy

Uterine fibroids (UFs) are common benign tumors of the female genital tract, diagnosed in almost one-quarter of women of reproductive age. UFs may cause numerous clinical symptoms, including prolonged or heavy menstrual bleeding, pelvic pressure symptoms, pain, infertility and others. Submucous fibroids arise from the muscular part of the uterus and pen­etrate into the uterine cavity. They are mostly managed with the use of hysteroscopic myomectomy (HM), which provides direct visualization from the transcervical approach. The sheer number of HM standards and techniques is reason enough to review the available literature about HM-related complications. HM is a safe and effective treatment in patients with the normal size of the uterus and with no more than a few UFs. The procedure should not be initiated without adequate preparation and diagnosis, using the best methods available

The wildland-urban interface in Poland reflects legacies of historical national borders

Context The wildland-urban interface (WUI) is an area where houses are located near wildland vegetation. As such, the WUI is a focal area of wildfire risk, human-wildlife conflicts, and other human-nature interactions. Although there is a wide consensus on the impact WUI existence might have, little is known about the WUI spatial determinants over long periods, especially in countries with long settlement history. Objectives Our goal here was to map the WUI across Poland, and to quantify the extent to which historical legacies shape current WUI pattern, since Poland is one of the countries, which experienced substantial political changes over time, which had an impact on historical settlement development. Methods We analysed a database of nearly 15 million building locations and a 10-m Sentinel-2-based land cover map to produce a country-wide WUI map of Poland. Then we compared the WUI pattern among parts of Poland which belonged to different political entities in 1900s and 1930s and also among different ecoregions. Lastly, we verified the effects of the historical borders or landscape units borders on WUI patterns with a discontinuity analysis. Results We found that a substantial part of Poland is WUI, and over 60% of all buildings are in WUI. However, WUI patterns differ considerably across the country, and WUI hotspots are located around the largest metropolitan areas in central and southern part of Poland and in the Carpathians. Furthermore, WUI patterns reflect pre-1945 national borders indicating long-term legacies of past settlement patterns and urban planning approaches. Diversity among ecoregions was much less pronounced than among past political entities. Conclusions Our work shows that current WUI pattern is to large extent shaped by former political conditions, which is likely true not only in Poland, but also in many parts of Europe and elsewhere where settlement history goes back centuries