Effects of forest disturbance on seasonal soil temperature changes in the Tatra Mountains in southern Poland

The purpose of the study was to examine the effects of forest disturbance on seasonal changes in soil temperature in the Tatra Mountains (Poland). In the years 2015–2020 soil temperatures were measured at a depth of 20 cm on north- and south-facing mountain slopes in a catchment where forest was disturbed by hurricane-force winds in 2013 and in a control neighboring woodland catchment. The effect of forest disturbance was manifested first and foremost in an increase in the soil temperature during the summer months – average by 1.8 to 2.4 °C on a south-facing mountain slope – and by about 1 °C on a north-facing slope. The buffer effect of forest on soil temperature can be observed via lower coefficients of correlation between soil temperature and air temperature in a woodland catchment versus a disturbed catchment in the summer. In the winter, the effect of forest disturbance on soil temperature was less pronounced than in the summer. Small differences in soil temperature in the winter between the woodland catchment and the disturbed catchment were associated with the presence of snow cover and its capacity to yield thermal insulation. Good insulation of the soil from the atmosphere generated by snow cover yielded a very weak relationship between soil temperature and air temperature in the winter. In springtime the soil temperature increased the fastest on a south-facing slope in the disturbed catchment while in the autumn season, soil temperatures declined most rapidly on a slope facing north in the disturbed catchment

Effect of tourism-generated wastewater on biogenic ions concentrations in stream water in Tatra National Park (Poland)

The purpose of the research conducted in the years 2008–2009 was to determine the effect of wastewater generated by several tourist lodges in Tatra National Park (an alpine environment) on the concentration of biogenic ions (NH4 +, NO2 −, NO3 − and PO4 3−) in local streams into which the wastewater was being discharged. Wastewater discharged from mechanical biological wastewater treatment plants operated by tourist lodges usually has high concentrations of NH4 + and PO4 3−. The largest loads of biogenic ions were discharged into streams during the tourist season from May until September. Although the dilution conditions were good, the concentrations of some forms of biogenic ions in streams were significantly higher at points tens of metres downstream from the point of discharge than at points located upstream from the point of discharge. The concentrations of NH4 + and PO4 3− ions increased significantly in streams into which wastewater was being discharged from wastewater treatment plants in Tatra National Park (NP). Concentrations of NO3 − increased in the case of a stream into which untreated wastewater was being discharged after flowing down a mountain couloir for several hundred metres in the Tatras. The water and sewer management situation in Tatra NP has improved significantly since the time when this research was conducted. Poland’s entry into the European Union in 2005 made additional EU funding available to be invested in various environmental projects. Most existing wastewater treatment plants were fully modernized in the years 2010–2011, and new plants were built where none had been. Even so, it seems that transporting wastewater to treatment plants outside the national park is the most effective and reliable method of protecting the oligotrophic mountain waters of the Tatras from pollution

Determinants of seasonal changes in streamwater chemistry in small catchments with different land use : case study from Poland's Carpathian Foothills

Our paper aims at identifying factors that determine seasonal changes in streamwater chemistry in three catchments with different land use (woodland, agricultural, mixed-use) in the Carpathian Foothills in southern Poland. The study involved weekly and biweekly water sampling in the 2003 and 2004 hydrological years and the analysis of specific conductivity (SC), pH, main ions, and nutrients. R-mode factor analysis was used to identify four factors: (i) streamflow, (ii) climate seasonality, (iii) water circulation, and (iv) nitrification processes. Despite the fact that the same environmental factors were identified in all three catchments, some factors produce a different type of ion response in different types of catchments. The streamflow factor produces the same changes in geologically controlled parameters (SC, main ions) in all catchments but different changes in nutrient concentrations in the woodland and agricultural catchments. In the woodland catchment, nutrients come primarily from diffuse sources (soil flushing), while in the agricultural catchment, nutrients come primarily from point sources (sewage) as result of unregulated wastewater management. The climate factor primarily controls the concentrations of nutrients. High temperatures during the vegetation season usually correlate with increases in nutrient concentrations, especially that of PO^{3-}_{4}. This atypical phenomenon is seldom reported in the literature, especially in relation to woodland catchments. The third factor is associated with water circulation in the catchment under different hydrological conditions – during flood events and during low-flow periods. The fourth factor is most likely associated with nitrification processes

Springs in South-Central Poland : changes and threats

Springs are an attractive and dynamic element of natural environment, as well as an important part of cultural landscape. Numerous studies have been undertaken in the Krakowsko-Wielunska and Miechowska Uplands for over 40 years. As many as 246 springs were mapped in the 1970’s and investigations have continued to the present. These have considered the type of spring, discharges, chemical composition of water, and spring surroundings including the species composition of habitats. The long period of observations has revealed changes of spring properties due to natural and anthropogenic factors. Only 38% of investigated springs maintained their natural character. The majority were completely devastated and overwhelmed. Waste was found in more than 20 springs. Also a decrease in spring discharge of about 10-30% compared to the 1970’s and 1990’s was noticed. But there was no clear common tendency of improvement or degradation of water quality in the whole area. However the problem of spring water pollution still persists mostly due to agriculture activity and long distance air pollution transport. Interdisciplinary research and collaboration of scientists with local authorities seems to be the only way to solve the problem of spring water quality and adequate management of their surroundings. Results of the studies have provided knowledge and a basis for concrete management application

Linking soils and streams during events : response of stream water K+K^{+} concentration to soil exchangeable K+K^{+} concentration in small catchments with fragipan soils (Carpathian Foothills, Poland)

The study aimed to determine the linkage between soil exchangeable potassium ($K^{+}$) concentration and stream water $K^{+}$ concentration during rainfall and snowmelt events in small catchments with different land use (Carpathian Foothills, Poland). The complementary geochemical and hydrochemical approach used in the study produced new information on the role of particular soil horizons and contributing areas such as hillslope or riparian areas in $K^{+}$ delivery to stream channels during events. Horizons lying above the nearly impermeable fragipan (Btx) play the most important role in the process of $K^{+}$ influx to streams during most event types except snowmelts with frozen soils, in all the studied catchments. In the woodland catchment, rapid flushing of $K^{+}$ from the topsoil Ah horizon with higher hydraulic conductivity ($K_{sat}$) and higher exchangeable K+ concentrations than in the lying lower E horizon resulted in a clockwise hysteresis of $K^{+}$ in stream water during most events. In agricultural catchments, changes in stream water $K^{+}$ concentration during events were determined by distinct differences between soil exchangeable $K^{+}$ concentrations on hillslopes and in riparian areas

Portfel wieloskładnikowy z nieprecyzyjną wartością bieżącą daną trapezoidalną liczby rozmytej

The article includes an analysis of a multiple asset portfolio, paying special attention to an imprecision risk, burdening the component instruments. The imprecision of decision premises is modeled in the imprecisely stated present value of portfolio assets, given subjectively by the investor in the form of trapezoidal fuzzy numbers. Next, for each asset and consisting portfolio we define imprecision measures appointed based on a fuzzy discounting factor. Analyzed theoretical model takes into account not only rational premises of a decision, but also allows for an inclusion of behavioral, technical and technological factors. During the performed research, relations between imprecision risk measures of assets and portfolio were found. Imprecision risk assessments are computed based on energy and entropy measures. Also, a case study is given, presenting mechanics of the model and methods of calculating risk measures. Performed analysis led to formulating some conclusions about the form and behavior of imprecision risk burdening a portfolio.Praca zawiera analizę portfela wieloskładnikowego pod kątem ryzyka nieprecyzyjności. Nieprecyzyjność przesłanek decyzyjnych jest modelowana nieprecyzyjnym określeniem wartości bieżącej instrumentów składowych portfela podanej subiektywnie przez inwestora w postaci trapezoidalnej liczby rozmytej. Dla poszczególnych składników oraz skonstruowanego z nich portfela określone są miary obarczającej je nieprecyzyjności, badanej na podstawie rozmytych czynników dyskontujących. Analizowany model teoretyczny, oprócz przesłanek racjonalnych, uwzględnia czynniki behawioralne oraz techniczne i technologiczne wpływające na decydenta. Oceny ryzyka nieprecyzyjności rozważanego portfela dokonano przy pomocy miar energii i entropii. Przedstawiono również studium przypadku prezentujące sposób działania modelu i metody obliczania miar nieprecyzyjności. Na podstawie przeprowadzonych badań sformułowano wnioski dotyczące postaci i zachowania ryzyka nieprecyzyjności portfela