Smart green infrastructure in a smart city – the case study of ecosystem services evaluation in Krakow based on i-Tree Evo software

It is a common perception that urban greenery does not bring any rational benefits, while profits from real estates are obvious. Therefore, the cities green infrastructure (urban forests, parks, trees, lawns, meadows, etc.) are constantly threatened with housing and development. However, urban greenery plays a substantial role in improving the quality of urbanites’ life, which is particularly significant in terms of predicted 70% urbanization rate by 2050. Healthy and well managed city green infrastructure can improve air quality, remove particulate matters (PM) and CO2 sequestrate carbon, cool down temperature or protect against winds. These functions of vegetation are known as ecosystem services (ES). Recognizing the value of ES provided by green infrastructure is crucial for urban planning and management in terms of assuring sustainable urban development. In our study we used the i-Tree Eco (USDA Forest Service) software, which quantifies vegetation structure, environmental effects and values of ES. The i-Tree Eco model is based on air pollution and local meteorological data along with the field data from inventory of city vegetation. Requiring easy to collect (e.g. based on LiDAR 3D point clouds) input data and having user-friendly interface, the i-Tree Eco has a potential of becoming a very useful tool for planners and managers in their everyday work. In this paper we present a case study of ES evaluation for the “Krakowski Park” in Krakow (582 trees on 4.77 hectares, with domination of Fraxinus excelsior, Ulmus laevis and Betula pendula). For the analysed 2015 year, the Krakowski Park trees stored in total 441.59 t of carbon, removed 184 kg of air pollutants and contributed to 220 m3 of avoided runoff. Total value of ecosystem services provided by the Krakowski Park in year 2015 was EUR 5.096 (EUR 8.76 tree/year). In our further work we intend to expand the ES evaluation on other green areas in Krakow and on a wider range of ES

Introducing GEOBIA to landscape imageability assessment: a multi-temporal case study of the nature reserve “Kózki”, Poland

Geographic object-based image analysis (GEOBIA) is a primary remote sensing tool utilized in land-cover mapping and change detection. Land-cover patches are the primary data source for landscape metrics and ecological indicator calculations; however, their application to visual landscape character (VLC) indicators was little investigated to date. To bridge the knowledge gap between GEOBIA and VLC, this paper puts forward the theoretical concept of using viewpoint as a landscape imageability indicator into the practice of a multi-temporal land-cover case study and explains how to interpret the indicator. The study extends the application of GEOBIA to visual landscape indicator calculations. In doing so, eight different remote sensing imageries are the object of GEOBIA, starting from a historical aerial photograph (1957) and CORONA declassified scene (1965) to contemporary (2018) UAV-delivered imagery. The multi-temporal GEOBIA-delivered land-cover patches are utilized to find the minimal isovist set of viewpoints and to calculate three imageability indicators: the number, density, and spacing of viewpoints. The calculated indicator values, viewpoint rank, and spatial arrangements allow us to describe the scale, direction, rate, and reasons for VLC changes over the analyzed 60 years of landscape evolution. We found that the case study nature reserve (“Kózki”, Poland) landscape imageability transformed from visually impressive openness to imageability due to the impression of several landscape rooms enclosed by forest walls. Our results provide proof that the number, rank, and spatial arrangement of viewpoints constitute landscape imageability measured with the proposed indicators. Discussing the method’s technical limitations, we believe that our findings contribute to a better understanding of land-cover change impact on visual landscape structure dynamics and further VLC indicator development

Methods of Landscape Valorization and Possibilities of Its Application in Hunting Area Categorisation

As a result of environmental changes, assessment indexes for the agricultural landscape have been changing dramatically. Being at the interface of human activity and the natural environment, hunting is particularly sensitive to environmental changes, such as increasing deforestation or large-scale farming. The classical categorisation of hunting grounds takes into account the area, forest cover, number of forest complexes, fertility of forest habitats, lack of continuity of areas potentially favourable to wild animals. Landscape assessment methods used in architecture often better reflect the actual breeding and hunting value of a given area, especially in relation to fields and forests. The forest-field mosaic, large spatial fragmentation as well as interweaving of natural environment elements with buildings do not have to be the factors that limit the numbers of small game. Identification of the constituents of architectural-landscape interiors: content and significance assessment, determination of the functional role or assessment based on the general environmental values being represented take into account factors important for the existence of game, in particular small game

Zator tętnicy środkowej siatkówki jako pierwsza manifestacja kliniczna w postaci powikłania zatorowo-zakrzepowego jednopłatkowej zastawki aortalnej — opis przypadku

Unicuspid aortic valve (UAV) is a rare congenital anomaly of the aortic valve. An overview of publications on the subject matter suggests that the estimated frequency of its occurrence is 0.02%. The article presents the case of a 40-year-old patient with an UAV with severe aortic stenosis. Unicuspid aortic valve is most frequently congenital, but the case analysed in this study is considered to have originated from one of two possible causes: it can be a congenital defect, in the form of a slit-shaped unicomissural or an acquired defect, in the form of degenerative aortic valve stenosis. A thromboembolic complication, presenting as a central retinal artery occlusion, was the first manifestation of the disease in the examined case, the symptoms invol-ving sudden loss of vision. The patient was referred for cardiologic diagnostic tests, which revealed severe aortic stenosis. The patient underwent successful surgery, in which the aortic valve was replaced by a mechanical prosthesis. The authors emphasise the need to pay particular attention to patients with signs and symptoms of thromboembolism who should be referred for cardiologic diagnostic tests aimed at finding the underlying causes of such complications.Jednopłatkowa zastawka aortalna (UAV) jest rzadką wrodzoną wadą zastawki aortalnej. Przegląd literatury sugeruje, że szacowana częstość jej występowania wynosi 0,02%. W artykule przedstawiono przypadek 40-letniego pacjenta z UAV z ciężką stenozą. Etiologia jednopłatkowej zastawki aortalnej jest najczęściej wrodzona, jednak w opisanym przypadku rozpatruje się ją na dwóch możliwych podłożach — jako wadę wrodzoną o podtypie slit-shaped unicomissural lub jako wadę nabytą o degeneracyjnej postaci zwężenia zastawki. Pierwszą manifestacją choroby u pacjenta było powikłanie zakrzepowo-zatorowe w postaci zatoru tętnicy środkowej siatkówki objawiające się nagłym zaniewidzeniem. Chorego skierowano na diagnostykę kardiologiczną, w ramach której wykazano ciężką stenozę aortalną. Pacjent przebył skuteczny zabieg wymiany zastawki aortalnej na protezę mechaniczną. Autorzy podkreślają potrzebę zwracania uwagi na pacjentów z wszelkimi objawami zakrzepowo-zatorowymi i kierowania ich na diagnostykę kardiologiczną w celu poszukiwania przyczyn takich powikłań

Geomatyka w nauczaniu leśników na uczelniach rolniczych

The idea for this publication was barn in June 2015, during a meeting of Polish teachers involved with Geographic lnformation Systems. The meeting was initiated by the Department of Geoinformation, Faculty of Geographical Sciences, University of Łódź, which received a grant to organize it. The discussion and presentations from academic teachers representing various universities in Poland were very interesting and sometimes heated. it would be advisable for other educators to familiarise themselves with the aspects of GIS education among Polish geographers, foresters, surveyors and other users. The experience of Geoinformation education in Poland is still modest, so the views of people who have been involved at Polish universities with it since the 1990s should be interesting to readers. Geographic lnformation Systems (GIS) – the integration of environmental and climate issues as an important factor for economic development and quality of life – an innovative second-degree studies. Akronim GIS-E-QL: GIS for environment and quality of life. Project objectives: The main aim of the project is to start-up attractive and innovative second­ degree studies – geoinformation in mutual cooperation of the FGS and the FMCS, students education, improving the competence of academic teachers, conference organization, publishing, cooperation with practitioners and establishing contacts with partners from Norway. This aim is consistent with the “Ana lysis of the economy's demand for graduates in key field of strategy in the context of the Europe 2020” 2012 and “Strategy for development of higher education in Poland 2020”, in the field of promoting innovative courses, formed collectively with practitioners, raising awareness of the environment. Joint actions of educators and practitioners, supported the by the strengthening of university's hardware, software and spatial data, will ensure a high quality project. The existing cooperation with practitioners indicate that further training is necessary and they would like to see postgraduates in their institutions. The final beneficiaries of the project will be the students and the academical teaching staff and indirectly the economy of the region. Students who graduate will be the main recipient of the project, the next will be teaching staff who will have contact with the practices and Norwegian partners with similar interests. In broad terms the project will benefit Polish and European economy and environment.This book has been prepared within the project „Geographic Information Systems (GIS) – the integration of environmental and climate issues as an important factor of economic development and quality of life – an innovative second-degree studies” supported by a grant from Norway through the Norway Grants and co-financed by the Polish funds. (Agreement No FSS/2014/HEI/W/0114/U/0013)

Using LiDAR point clouds in active protection of forest lichen communities in "Bory Tucholskie" National Park

Zespół boru chrobotkowego (Cladonio-Pinetum) jest zbiorowiskiem wykształcającym się na suchych i ubogich w biogeny obszarach piaszczystych. Najlepiej zachowane płaty tego zbiorowiska roślinnego w Europie występują w Polsce północnej, w tym na terenie Parku Narodowego "Bory Tucholskie" (PNBT). Celem badań było określenie struktury przestrzennej wybranych drzewostanów sosnowych PNBT, w których zainicjowany został program ochronny czynnej borów chrobotkowych. Obszar badań obejmował część dwóch oddziałów leśnych PNBT z wydzieleniami: 18c, 19d, 19g, 19h, 19i, 19j i 19k. Badania przeprowadzono z wykorzystaniem lotniczego (ALS) i naziemnego (TLS) skanowania laserowego (LiDAR). Dzięki zastosowaniu technologii LiDAR możliwe było wykonanie bardzo precyzyjnego opisu struktury drzewostanów w przestrzeni 2D i 3D. W wyniku przeprowadzonych analiz określono szereg cech taksacyjnych i parametrów drzewostanów, takich jak: liczba i zagęszczenie drzew w drzewostanie, średnia odległość pomiędzy drzewami żywymi, liczba drzew martwych, pierśnicowe pole przekroju drzew żywych, zwarcie poziome koron, wskaźnik penetracji koron, wysokość górna drzew w wydzieleniu, wysokość podstawy korony drzewa, długość korony drzewa, objętość warstwy koron, powierzchnia 2D i 3D koron drzew, średni promień korony, współczynnik morfometryczny koron oraz zasięg pionowy martwych gałęzi. Opracowano także mapę występowania luk w wydzieleniach o powierzchni większej niż 2 m2. Badania rozpoczęte w 2017 roku są kontynuowane w 2018 roku z wykorzystaniem skanowania z platformy BSP (UAS) oraz TLS, które posłużą precyzyjnej ocenie zmian struktury przestrzennej drzewostanów, w których przeprowadzono cięcia prześwietleniowe.Forest lichen communities develop on dry and poor in biogens sandy areas. The center of occurrence of this plant community in Europe coincides with Natura 2000 sites located in Poland, including the Bory Tucholskie National Park (BT NP). The aim of the study was to determine the spatial structure of selected Scots pine stands of BT NP, where a program of active protection of lichen communities was initiated. The research area included two forest compartments: 18 and 19. The analysis was performed in the following sub-compartments: 18c, 19d, 19g, 19h, 19i, 19j and 19 k. The research was carried out using airborne (ALS) and terrestrial (TLS) laser scanning (LiDAR). Thanks to the use of LiDAR technology, it was possible to make a very precise description of the structure of stands in 2D and 3D space. As a result of the conducted study, a number of stand parameters have been defined, such as: number of trees, tree density in the stand, number of live trees, average distance between living trees, number of dead trees, basal area, horizontal cover of tree crowns, crown penetration ratio, average height of trees, height of the crown base, tree crown length, crown layer volume, 2D and 3D crown surface, average crown radius, canopy relief ration and vertical range of dead branches. A map of crown gaps with an area of more than 2 m2 was also developed. Research activities with the use of laser scanning technology is continued in 2018 (repeated ALS and TLS scanning). The conducted research will allow to determine the influence of the stand structure on factors influencing the occurrence of lichens, including: shaping of microclimatic conditions

GIS w polskiej edukacji wyższej – dyskusja

The idea for this publication was barn in June 2015, during a meeting of Polish teachers involved with Geographic lnformation Systems. The meeting was initiated by the Department of Geoinformation, Faculty of Geographical Sciences, University of Łódź, which received a grant to organize it. The discussion and presentations from academic teachers representing various universities in Poland were very interesting and sometimes heated. it would be advisable for other educators to familiarise themselves with the aspects of GIS education among Polish geographers, foresters, surveyors and other users. The experience of Geoinformation education in Poland is still modest, so the views of people who have been involved at Polish universities with it since the 1990s should be interesting to readers. Geographic lnformation Systems (GIS) – the integration of environmental and climate issues as an important factor for economic development and quality of life – an innovative second-degree studies. Akronim GIS-E-QL: GIS for environment and quality of life. Project objectives: The main aim of the project is to start-up attractive and innovative second­ degree studies – geoinformation in mutual cooperation of the FGS and the FMCS, students education, improving the competence of academic teachers, conference organization, publishing, cooperation with practitioners and establishing contacts with partners from Norway. This aim is consistent with the “Ana lysis of the economy's demand for graduates in key field of strategy in the context of the Europe 2020” 2012 and “Strategy for development of higher education in Poland 2020”, in the field of promoting innovative courses, formed collectively with practitioners, raising awareness of the environment. Joint actions of educators and practitioners, supported the by the strengthening of university's hardware, software and spatial data, will ensure a high quality project. The existing cooperation with practitioners indicate that further training is necessary and they would like to see postgraduates in their institutions. The final beneficiaries of the project will be the students and the academical teaching staff and indirectly the economy of the region. Students who graduate will be the main recipient of the project, the next will be teaching staff who will have contact with the practices and Norwegian partners with similar interests. In broad terms the project will benefit Polish and European economy and environment.The experience of Polish scientists and educators in the GIS has not been as long as mentioned by Michael F. Goodchild who jointly with Ross Newkirk (Goodchild 2006) started the fi rst GIS training course at the University of Western Ontario in Canada in 1975. Discussions on the scope of knowledge included in the GIS have continued at most universities that have offered such classes. In 1988/89, owing to the National Centre for Geographic Information and Analysis (NCGIA), the 3-volume document of over 1000 pages was put together to include curriculums, student materials and other teaching aids. We have good models and we can use them. Meetings and discussions about the GIS education have been and still are regularly held all over the world (Forer P., Unwin D. 1999). When employees of Polish universities were starting to learn the GIS software and possibilities, Morgan J. M., Fleury B., Becker R. A. (1996) had already identifi ed over 800 higher education institutions all over the world that had offered at least one GIS course. The rapid development of new technologies, methods, the creation of new labour markets has arisen discussions on the contents GIS training in various centres of higher education, e.g. in the Netherlands, the US, and those have been similar to the ones presented in this article (Toppen F. J. 1992) and some issues needed to be resolved in court (DiBiase, D. 2008). You can see how important these meetings of educators are for exchanging opinions and experience. They have allowed to meed people representing various fi elds involved in the geoinformation, which may result in co-operation and new educational initiatives, and sometimes, competition. Finally, we should agree with prof. J. Gaździcki (2009 p. 12) that “It is obvious that the success of any measures to modernise education in the area under consideration depends on the interest of academic communities, involvement of research and academic staff in these endeavours, their will, ambition and willingness to co-operate”.This book has been prepared within the project „Geographic Information Systems (GIS) – the integration of environmental and climate issues as an important factor of economic development and quality of life – an innovative second-degree studies” supported by a grant from Norway through the Norway Grants and co-financed by the Polish funds. (Agreement No FSS/2014/HEI/W/0114/U/0013)