POLISH JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY publishes original scientific papers dealing with all aspects of ecology : both fundamental and applied, physiological ecology, ecology of population, community, landscape as well as global ecology. The following types of papers are accepted : Regular research paper are presenting the results of basic research and are limited usually to 30 normalised, typed pages including illustrations and references. Special papers ( limited to 50 pages) are dealing with a broad research programme, research synthesis or state-of-art in selected ecological problems. Special section inside an issue containing several research papers dealing with the same problem can be also considered. In both cases, the authors should consult with Editor before submission. Short research contribution or research notes (limited to 5-7 or 3-4 pages respectively) are presenting brief or specific research results, new method, equipment, models, etc. Comments - short papers ( up to 5 pages) containing the opinions and responses to already published articles in POLISH JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY or the contributions to current scientific discussion. They are published ( if necessary) together with reply of the respective author(s). All types of papers are reviewed. All papers are published exclusively in English. POLISH JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY is published in four issues per year.
POLISH JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY is covered by : Current Contents ( Agriculture, Biology & Environmental Sciences (CC/AB&ES), Ecological Abstracts, Aquatic Sciences and Fisheries Abstracts , Biological Abstracts, Zoological Record, NISC's FISHLIST/Fisheries Review, Life Sciences Collection ( Cambridge Scientific Abstracts), Referativnyj Zhurnal and others. POLISH JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY is also indexed and abstracted in Elsevier BIOBASE ( Current Awareness in Biological Sciences (CABS). The contents and abstracts of current issues are also available in database of Polish Scientific Journals Contents http://psjc.icm.edu.pl and on web site : www.cbe-pan.pl NOW AVAILABLE! POLISH JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY VOL. 53, NO 1 (2005) Contents ( abstracts) Authors: Patrycja Boszke, Katarzyna Boci¹g, Józef Szmeja Title: Population structure and regeneration of Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. ex Steud. in flood control ditches in the depression wetland (¯u³awy Wilane, Northern Poland) Source: Polish Journal of Ecology Year: 2005, vol. 53, number 1, pages: 3-12 Key words: Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. ex Steud., common reed, population structure, flood control ditches, the Vistula Delta (¯u³awy Wilane, northern Poland) Document type: regular research paper Publication order reference: Department of Plant Ecology, University of Gdañsk,, Al. Legionów 9, 80-441 Gdañsk, Poland, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Abstract: The population structure of Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. ex Steud. was examined in seven categories of overgrowing flood control ditches, differing on time which had elapsed from the last clean-up. Density, biomass, frequency of development stages, as well as the size and habit of the shoots, were determined in the populations. Site conditions in the ditches and the proportion of the common reed in the total biomass of plants were also examined. The rate at which populations in cleaned ditches regenerate is very quick. Three years after the maintenance works in ditches the reed population is already fully regenerated. Well developed reed rushes, which biomass is about 650 g d.w.m-2, are dominant. Its density amounts to 76 ± 25 shoots m-2. Flowering and fruiting shoots are the most numerous. The first signs of population regression were observed in the ditches left without cleaning for more than 5 years. Population density is gradually lower, the proportion of generative shoots is reduced, and the reed is lighter and has smaller assimilation area. In the 11-year-old and older ditches the reed is replaced by other plant species, mainly grasses and shrubs. Authors: Grzegorz Iszku³o1, Adam Boratyñski1*, Yakov Didukh2, Kostantin Romaschenko2, Nadya Pryazhko3 Title: Changes of population structure of Taxus baccata L. during 25 years in protected area (Carpathians, Western Ukraine) Source: Polish Journal of Ecology Year: 2005, vol. 53, number 1, pages: 13-23 Key words: Taxus baccata, population structure, population dynamics, plant protection, Ukraine Document type: regular research paper Publication order reference: 1Institute of Dendrology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Parkowa 5, 62-035 Kórnik, Poland 2Kholodny Institute of Botany, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Tereschenkivska 2, 01601 Kyiv GSP, Ukraine 3Ukrainian Research Institute of Mountain Foresty, Hrushewsky str. 31, Ivanofrankivsk, Ukraine 76000; *e-mail of corresponding author: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Abstract: The aim of the study was to assess the present state of the Taxus baccata L. population in the Knyazhdvir Nature Reserve (West Ukraine) and to analyse the population structure changes that had occurred during 25 years. We found the tendency towards population ageing but with relatively numerous young individuals and seedlings. Surprisingly, specimens with bi- or trifurcate trunks (polycormic) were significantly thicker than those with single trunks (monocormic). This attests to some kind of dominance of polycormic specimens over monocormic ones. Author: Grzegorz Or³owski*, Lech Nowak Title: Species composition of woody vegetation of three types of mid-field woodlots in intensively managed farmland (Wroc³aw Plain, South-Western Poland) Source: Polish Journal of Ecology Year: 2005, vol. 53, number 1, pages: 25-36 Key words: woody species, woodlots, hedgerows, mid-field clumps, dispersal mode, native flora, agricultural landscape, landscape ecology Document type: regular research paper Publication order reference: Department of Agricultural Bases for Environmental Management, Agricultural University of Wroc³aw, pl. Grunwaldzki 24, 50-363 Wroc³aw, Poland, *e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (corresponding author) Abstract: The paper presents the results of studies devoted to woody species composition in three types of mid-field woodlots (N = 183), located on the area of 5480 ha in the intensively managed agricultural landscape of Wroc³aw Plain (Lower Silesia, south-western Poland). The woodlots studied were divided into mid-field clumps (n = 74), water-edge hedgerows (n = 75) and avenues (n = 34). In general, in the three types of woodlots 77 woody plant species were found. To the most common species (50% frequency in all the woodlots) belonged: elder (Sambucus nigra), single-neck hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna), blackberry (Rubus spp.) and blackthorn (Prunus spinosa). For 21 species, statistically significant differences between frequency of occurrence in water-edge hedgerows and clumps were found. Ten species differed in frequency of occurrence between water-edge hedgerows and avenues. Differences between clumps and avenues were documented for 15 species. No significant differences were found in the occurrence of species dispersed by wind, animals and water, and between native species and those of foreign origin, in the respective types of woodlots. For the three types of woodlots studied, high statistically significant correlations were found between the size of woodlots (length for water-edge hedgerows and avenues, and area for mid-field clumps) and the number of recorded woody species. Based on the results obtained and literature data the mechanisms of the floristic diversity of mid-field woodlots were discussed. Author: Ewa Dmowska Title: Nematodes colonizing power plant ash dumps. II. Nematode communities in ash dumps covered with turf - effect of reclamation period and soil type Source: Polish Journal of Ecology Year: 2005, vol. 53, number 1, pages: 37-51 Key words: nematode communities, reclamation, ash dump, bioindicators, food-web Document type: regular research paper Publication order reference: Centre for Ecological Research, Polish Academy of Sciences, Dziekanów Leny, 05-092 £omianki, Poland, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Abstract: Changes in the below-ground system of ash dumps reclaimed by covering with turf were estimated using parameters and indices based on analysis of nematode communities. Higher trophic diversity, higher values of Maturity Index (MI), and higher complexity of food-web structure were expected when reclamation proceeded. The study was carried out for three years in chronosequences of ash dumps. Two of the dumps were reclaimed in shorter time and were studied between the 2nd and 5th year of reclamation, the first one was reclaimed by covering with turf with mineral soil (S-M), the second one with turf with organogenic soil (S-O). The third ash dump reclaimed in longer time, covered with turf with organogenic soil was studied between the 8th-11th year of reclamation (L-O). Until the fourth year of reclamation S-O site provided better conditions for the development of nematodes than S-M site; trophic diversity and MI were higher in S-O site in comparison with S-M site. Later on most parameters and indices were similar in S-M and S-O site. Longer reclamation resulted in higher total abundance, higher abundance of bacterivores, plant feeders and omnivores, and also higher biomass of bacterivores and plant feeders. However, changes in the below-ground system of reclaimed ash dumps were very slow because even after 11 years of reclamation the ash dump had the features of a degraded environment. Authors: Ewa Nowak1, Zofia Piotrowska-Seget2, Krzysztof Chmielewski3 Title: Response of enchytraeid community (Oligochaeta, Enchytraeidae) to manipulation of microbial biomass Source: Polish Journal of Ecology Year: 2005, vol. 53, number 1, pages: 53-63 Key words: enchytraeids, microbial activity, oxytetracycline, captan, diversity, abundance Document type: regular research paper Publication order reference: 1,3Centre for Ecological Research, Polish Academy of Sciences, Dziekanów Leny, 05-092 £omianki, Poland, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] 2Department of Microbiology, Silesian University, Katowice, Jagielloñska 28, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Abstract: The paper describes a field experiment with the application of two biocides: oxytetracycline that reduced bacteria and captan that reduced soil fungi. The purpose of the experiment was to investigate the response of enchytraeid species to the changes of the abundance and activity of the microbial community as part of their food resources. The following variables were recorded: the biomass of microorganisms by the PLFA method, the rate of cellulose decomposition and the numbers and species composition of enchytraeids. No relationship was found between enchytraeids and abundance of microorganisms, but numbers of animals were correlated with changes in soil cellulolytic activity. Both biocides, even the non toxic oxytetracycline, reduced the diversity (H') of enchytraeid community by increasing the proportion of dominant species. It is suggested that biocides reduced the functional diversity of microorganisms, and this factor had an effect on the enchytraeid populations. The animals responded to the treatment and their community became predominated by the species probably with a broad food spectrum. Author: Pawe³ Koperski Title: Testing the suitability of leeches (Hirudinea, Clitellata) for biological assessment of lowland streams Source: Polish Journal of Ecology Year: 2005, vol. 53, number 1, pages: 65-80 Key words: : biological assessment, Discriminant Function Analysis, Hirudinea, multivariate methods, stream Document type: regular research paper Publication order reference: Department of Hydrobiology, Warsaw University Banacha 2, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Abstract: Certain features of leeches make them potentially very useful in the biological assessment of freshwaters as bio-indicators of water pollution, especially in moderately polluted lowland watercourses. The main aim of the study was to test their usefulness as indicators of the level of habitat degradation. The composition of leech samples and the main abiotic parameters in water samples, which had been taken simultaneously in six lowland streams of north-eastern Poland and the relations between them were investigated. Multivariate methods of data analysis were used to test if particular leech species or the taxonomic composition of assemblages thereof could be useful in predicting the assessed quality of the environment. The greatest difficulty with analysis of the results is to separate the effect of the stream (site specifics) from the effect of environmental quality, expressed as Cumulative Index of Environmental Quality (CIEQ). An important result of this study is the highly consistent prediction of the level of water pollution to be attained on the basis of leech taxonomic composition using Discriminant Function Analysis. Some common leech species were found to be good, positive or negative indicators of pollution level. The classifications of Glossiphonia complanata and Erpobdella octoculata as negative bio-indicators corroborates the conclusions of numerous previous studies, in contrast with the indicative value of Helobdella stagnalis, shown previously to be rather a negative indicator. It would seem to be necessary, for biomonitoring purposes, to identify detailly the leeches of such ecologically different families as Glossiphonidae and Erpobdellidae. Authors: Tadeusz Fleituch*, Antoni Amirowicz TITLE: STREAM HABITATS, BENTHIC MACROINVERTEBRATES, LOTIC FISH AND THEIR RELATIONSHIPS: A MULTI-SCALE APPROACH Source: Polish Journal of Ecology Year: 2005, vol. 53, number 1, pages: 81-95 Key words: stream, spatial heterogeneity, spatial patterns, habitat, ecological scale Document type: regular research paper Publication order reference: Institute of Nature Conservation, Polish Academy of Sciences, Karol Starmach Department of Freshwater Biology, Al. Mickiewicza 33, 31-120 Kraków, Poland, *e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (FORMER ADDRESS: KAROL STARMACH INSTITUTE OF FRESHWATER BIOLOGY, POLISH ACADEMY OF SCIENCES, S£AWKOWSKA 17, 31-016 KRAKÓW, POLAND) Abstract: A natural reach of montane stream (length 96 m and 7 m width) was grided into 150 cells (2 × 2 m). Density and biomass of fish (Salmo trutta L. and Cottus poecilopus Heckel) were estimated at each cell, as well as stream depth, current velocity, Froude number, bed granulation and its roughness were measured, and benthic samples from exposed bricks were collected from mid August to early October. The analysis of spatial patterns of seven variables (five abiotic and two biotic ones) and fish occurrence from the period of highest organisms' abundance confirmed that two fish species were separated within the stream space and sculpin showed close association to benthic prey. The PCA pointed to the highest loadings of abiotic habitat variables (64% of the total variance) indicating importance of hydraulics (stream velocity and Froude number) and bed characteristics (stream depth and bed roughness) in distribution of fish communities in pristine low order streams. Authors: Zbigniew Jan Mudryk1, Beata Podgórska2 Title: Generic composition and respiratory activity of heterotrophic bacteria of marine sandy beach (Southern Baltic Sea) Source: Polish Journal of Ecology Year: 2005, vol. 53, number 1, pages: 97-103 Key words: Baltic Sea, marine beach, bacteria, taxonomy, respiratory activity DISCIPLINE: ENVIRONMENT/ECOLOGY LANGUAGE: ENGLISH Document type: short research contribution Publication order reference: 1Department of Experimental Biology, Pedagogical University, Arciszewskiego 22, 76-200 S³upsk, Poland, e-mail: mudryk@ pap.edu.pl (corresponding author) 2Department of Genetic and Marine Biotechnology, Institute of Oceanology, w. Wojciecha 5, 81-347 Gdynia, Poland Abstract: In the bacterial community occurring in a sandy marine beach (region of the Gdañsk Gulf, Southern Baltic Sea), bacteria of the genera Acinetobacter and Microoccocus predominated among 230 isolated strains. Bacteria strains of the genera Alteromonas, Bacillus, Cytophaga, Erwinia and Prostheocomicrobium contributed in a small percent. The measurements of respiratory activity revealed that casein hydrolyzate was the most actively metabolised respiratory substrate while sodium pyruvate and cellobiose were oxidised less actively. The intensity of utilization of respiratory substrates by bacteria in the whole perpendicular profile of the beach was alike. They were more intensive in the surface (0-1 cm) than in the subsurface (5-10 cm) sand layers. Authors: Bo¿ena nieg, Janina Nowak* Title: Urease activity and ATP content in soil and plant related to copper concentration Source: Polish Journal of Ecology Year: 2005, vol. 53, number 1, pages: 105-111 Key words: urease activity, ATP, Cu in plants and soil Document type: short research contribution Publication order reference: Department of Biochemistry, Agriculture University of Szczecin, S³owackiego 17, 71 434 Szczecin, Poland, e-mail (*coresponding author) [EMAIL PROTECTED] Abstract: This study aimed at the assessment of the influence of various Cu(NO3)2 doses added to soil on Cu content in soil and on its influence on the activity of urease and ATP content in soil and in plants of various growth stages. A two-factor pot experiment had been started in 2002 using as test plant - the pea (Pisum sativum L.). Soil was taken from 0-30 cm layer of an arable field (light silt loam, 1.2% C content, and neutral reaction). Four doses of copper (II) nitrate (V) as Cu(NO3)2.3H2O were applied (each in 4 replications) following: I - control (no salt), II - 0.05 mmol.kg-1soil, III - 0.50 mmol kg-1 and IV - 5.00 mmol.kg-1soil. According to six degrees classification soil of contamination by copper, application of 0.05 mmol of copper nitrate per kg of soil increased copper content up to high level of natural content in soil (but still 0° of contamination), after application of 0.5 mmol.kg-1 - copper content increased to 1° of contamination, 5.00 mmol kg-1 Cu+2 dose caused high pollution (4° of contamination). Each pot was filled with 2 kg of the treated soil, and 5 pea seeds were planted per pot. The experiment lasted 56 days. Soil moisture was maintained during the experiment at 60% water holding capacity. In the course of the experiment the following growth stages were noted: 2 pairs of leaves stage (day 14th), flowering stage (day 44th), mature stage (day 56th). At those times soil and plant samples were taken to assess copper content in soil (content of total and 1M HCl soluble Cu), urease activity and ATP levels. A high positive correlation was found between Cu content (total and 1M HCl soluble) in soil and in plants. High Cu content in soil (4° of contamination - high pollution) caused a decrease of urease activity and ATP content in soil. Elevated Cu content in plant caused a distinct inhibition of urease activity in all the analyzed growth stages, and markedly higher content of ATP at the stage of flowering and mature stages of Pisum sativum L. Author: Patricio De los Ríos Title: Survival of pigmented freshwater zooplankton, exposed to artificial ultraviolet radiation and two levels of dissolved organic carbon Source: Polish Journal of Ecology Year: 2005, vol. 53, number 1, pages: 113-116 Key words: ultraviolet radiation, dissolved organic carbon, zooplankton, daphnids, calanoids Document type: short research contribution Publication order reference: Catholic University of Temuco, Biological and Chemical Sciences Department, Casilla (PO-BOX): 15-D, Temuco, Chile, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Abstract: The increase in penetration of ultraviolet radiation has been reported currently over southern South America. It would affect the photoprotective responses in biotic elements of freshwater ecosystems. An experiment was designed using pigmented adult individuals of the species Daphnia dadayana (Paggi 1999), Boeckella antiqua (Menu-Marque & Balseiro 2000), and Parabroteas sarsi (Mrázek 1901), characteristic for shallow fishless ponds from South American plains (located between 41 and 53° S latitude). The artificial ultraviolet radiation was involved in the experiment, with two levels of dissolved organic carbon (DOC), which would exert a protective effect against ultraviolet radiation. The results of this experiment showed that under conditions of low DOC concentrations, D. dadayana recorded a higher mortality, while under low DOC concentrations, B. antiqua and P. sarsi were not affected by ultraviolet radiation. Daphnids would be less tolerant to the exposure to ultraviolet radiation than pigmented calanoid copepods. Authors: Jan Szyszko1, Siergiej Gryuntal2, Axel Schwerk3 TITLE: NOCTURNAL ACTIVITY OF CARABUS HORTENSIS L. (COLEOPTERA, CARABIDAE) IN TWO FOREST SITES STUDIED WITH HARMONIC RADAR METHOD Source: Polish Journal of Ecology Year: 2005, vol. 53, number 1, pages: 117-122 Key words: Carabidae, radar tracking, nocturnal activity rhythm, forest site Document type: short research contribution Publication order reference: 1Warsaw Agricultural University, Division of Landscape Architecture, Nowoursynowska 166, 02-787 Warsaw, Poland, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] 2All-Russian Research Institute of Plant Protection, Znamenskoe-Sadki, Moscow, 113628 Russia 3Warsaw Agricultural University, Division of Landscape Architecture, Nowoursynowska 166, 02-787 Warsaw, Poland, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Abstract: The paper deals with a study of the nocturnal activity rhythm of Carabus hortensis L. with applying a harmonic radar system. Beetles with a diode attached to their elytra were set into the terrain and tracked by help of a portable radar. The studies were carried out in a pine forest in which Carabus hortensis L. occurs regularly and in a beech forest in which this species was completely absent. The data show that Carabus hortensis L. is active mainly at the first hours after sunset, independently from time of sunset. A small peak of activity exists at about 9-10 hours after sunset. The nocturnal activity rhythm is similar in both forest sites, but the individuals show significantly higher activity in the beech forest. Based on the assumption that activity is connected with hunger level, the total activity may be useful as indicator of habitat quality (feeding conditions) for Carabus hortensis L. Authors: Ping SUN1, Xinquan ZHAO1, Julia A. KLEIN2, Wanhong WEI3 Title: Local warming about 1.3 oC in alpine meadow has no effect on root vole (Microtus oeconomus L.) population during winter Source: Polish Journal of Ecology Year: 2005, vol. 53, number 1, pages: 123-127 Key words: root vole (Microtus oeconomus), climate warming, experimental warming, alpine population numbers, body mass, Qinghai-Tibet Plateau Document type: short research contribution Publication order reference: 1Northwest Plateau Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 59 Xiguan Street, Xining 810001, Qinghai Province, China, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; [EMAIL PROTECTED] 2Department of Environmental Science, Policy & Management, Division of Ecosystem Science, University of California, 151 Hilgard Hall, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] 3College of Biosciences and Biotechnology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, Jiangsu Province, China, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Abstract: The influence of air and soil warming on root vole (Microtus oeconomus L.) population was studied in winter period in top open chambers (OTC) 3250 m) at Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, China. The OTCs were distributed on an area of 30 ( 30 m of experimental warming site; another site of the same area was a control one. The root vole population was investigated on two pairs of sites in "low-grazing" and "high-grazing" (by sheep) parts of the meadow; mark-recapture method was used. The winter-season averaged air and soil temperature inside of the chambers were 1.3 oC higher than the temperature outside the chambers. The warming in the chambers had no statistically significant effect on root vole numbers, on average body mass of individual, and on average body mass of males and females. In conclusion, as small as 1.3 oC warming of soil and air introduced locally and on small (several m2) scale, in the alpine meadow habitat in winter period, has possibly no effect on root vole numbers and biomass. Author: Adrian Surmacki Title: Do dense and fast growing crops provide foraging habitats for insectivorous birds? Source: Polish Journal of Ecology Year: 2005, vol. 53, number 1, pages: 129-133 Key words: farmland, habitat use, crops, marsh patches Document type: short research contribution Publication order reference: Department of Avian Biology and Ecology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Umultowska 89, 61-614 Poznañ, Poland, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Abstract: The foraging behavior of Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus scirpaceus), Sedge Warbler (A. schoenobaenus) and Marsh Warbler (A. palustris) was surveyed on three crop types (spring cereals, winter cereals and oil seed rape) in western Poland. The foraging intensity was greatest in oil seed rape, while the lowest was in spring cereals. For Sedge Warbler, oil seed rape fields were visited mainly in May, while cereal fields were visited in June and July. The number of foraging visits decreased with increasing distance from a breeding marsh patch. There was no difference in distance traveled to different crop types. There was a significant negative correlation between marsh patch area and foraging intensity for all species combined. This study shows that oil seed rape may be useful as a foraging habitats for some farmland birds during the breeding season. Authors: Grzegorz Or³owski1, Marcin Sêk2 Title: Semi-natural reedbeds as breeding habitat of Bluethroat (Luscinia svecica L.) on sewage farm in Wroc³aw city (South-Western Poland) Source: Polish Journal of Ecology Year: 2005, vol. 53, number 1, pages: 135-42 Key words: Bluethroat, Luscinia svecica cyanecula, breeding population, breeding habitats, reedbeds, Wroc³aw, Poland Document type: short research contribution Publication order reference: 1Department of Agricultural Bases for Environmental Management, Agricultural University of Wroc³aw, pl. Grunwaldzki 24, 50-363 Wroc³aw, Poland, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] 2Becka 8/3, 51-672 Wroc³aw, Poland, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Abstract: In the breeding season of 2004 in sewage sedimentation basins overgrown with semi-natural reedbeds (n = 63, total area = 113.3 ha, mean area = 1.80 (± 3.90) ha, range: 0.018 do 26.54 ha) on a sewage farm (total study area 14.22 km2) in the northern part of Wroc³aw city (640 000 inhabitants, SW Poland) 45 territories of Bluethroat Luscinia svecica cyanecula were found. Territorial birds were detected in 38% of all controlled reedbeds. Up to eight territories were localized in a single reedbed. In at least ten territories (22% of all) the presence of breeding pairs was also recorded. The smallest reedbed occupied by a single male had 0.081 ha and by a pair - 0.204 ha. A high statistically significant correlation was found between the reedbed area, the length of its border and the number of territories it contained. The probability of Bluethroat occurrence in a reedbed was closely related to its size. Even in small reedbeds (<2 ha) it amounted to ca. 35% and it reached 100% at 10 ha. Within particular occupied reedbeds (n = 24) the densities ranged from 1.5 to 49.5 (exceptionally 123.4) territories 10 ha-1. The average density (± SD) for all reedbeds (n = 63) was 7.6 (± 19.2) territories 10 ha-1, while within the occupied reedbeds (n = 24) it amounted to 20.0 (± 27.1) territories 10 ha-1. The Wroc³aw population of Bluethroat is one of the biggest known breeding concentration of this species not only in western Poland, but probably also in large part of central Europe. So far reports of marked increases of Bluethroat abundance in anthropogenic habitats (after a dramatic decline observed since the end of XIX century) have come mainly from western Europe. Authors: Zdravko Dolenec1*, Milorad Mrakovèiæ1, Antun Deliæ2 TITLE: EGG DIMENSIONS OF THE GREAT TIT (PARUS MAJOR L.) IN CROATIA Source: Polish Journal of Ecology Year: 2005, vol. 53, number 1, pages: 143-145 Key words: Document type: research note Publication order reference: 1Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Rooseveltov 6, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (author for correspondence), 2Teacher Education Academy, University of Zagreb, Savska 77, HR-10000, Croatia Still available are the SPECIAL ISSUES published in last years : 1.Long-term effect of liming in a humic lake ( editor : A.Hillbricht-Ilkowska ). - Pol.J.Ecol. 1998, 46(4) :345-415 The long-term effects ( for 20 years) of liming of previously slightly acid, low-calcium, humic, mid-forest lake ( Lake Flosek on Masurian Lakeland) were assessed. The higher Ca content, neutral pH, high transparency and low algae biomass were noted permanently. The direct effects on biodiversity and indirect effects ( via food availability and predation) on food web structure and lake ecosystem functioning were recognized. The problem of moderate liming of naturally acid humic lakes was raised up as the way of their protection against further acidification and in supporting their oligotrophic character and unique biodiversity. 2. Effect of industrial pollution and spruce decline on the biocenoses of Karkonosze Mts.( South-Western Poland ) ( guest editor : E.D¹browska-Prot) - Pol. J. Ecol. 1999, 47(4) : 365-476. Response of soil conditions, herb-layer vegetation and invertebrate communities ( spiders, entomofauna) in montainous spruce forest affected by air pollution. 3.Biomanipulation of macroarthropods - effect on food web in grass ecosystem ( guest editor : A.Kajak) - Pol. J. Ecol. 2000, 48(4) : 261-360 Seven papers on the effect of macroarthropods on the decomposition rate of grass litter in a field experiment. It was found that macroarthropods accelerate decomposition rate of the litter as well as they increase the carbon and humic acids storage in soil. Possible mechanisms of their contribution to decomposition pattern are also considered. 4. Bank vole biology : recent advances in the population biology of a model species ( guest editors : G.Bujalska and L. Hansson ) - Pol. J. Ecol. 2000, 48( Suppl.) : 1-256. The volume contains 18 papers dealing with different aspects of biology and ecology of Clethrionomys glareolus like : the characteristics of individual animals and their geographical variation, local populations and their dynamics and the dynamics over large spatial scales. 5. Upper Vistula River : response of aquatic communities to pollution and impoundment ( guest editors : R.¯urek and H.Kasza) - Pol. J. Ecol. 2002, 50(2) : 105-266. The volume contains 11 papers on the effect of pollution and management of Upper Vistula on selected aquatic communities. 6.Catchment impact on lakes : long-term studies of the river-lake system in diversified landscape ( editor : Anna Hillbricht-Ilkowska )- Pol. J. Ecol. 2002, 50(4) : 407-554. The issue contains 9 papers on the landscape structure ( air photos), seasonal and long-term export rates of nutrients from lake watersheds, nutrient loading and retention in lakes, eutrophication rate of lakes as well as the floristic and functional analysis of wetland zones along lakes and wetland patches as the barrier systems. The river-lake system of r. Jorka on Masurian Lakeland ( Poland ) was the main study area. The review paper on the links between landscape, catchment basin, wetland and lake was presented as well as the synthesis paper on the results and conclusions of the above studies. 7.Patterns and processes in freshwater ecotones : perspectives and case studies ( guest editors : Radwan S., Rybak J.I., Wêgleñska T.) - Pol.J.Ecol . 2003, 51(1) : 109 - 250. The volume contains 15 papers dealing with lacustrine ecotones i.e. the wetland patches and littoral zones connected with lakes and lakeland areas. The diversity and dynamics of vegetation and invertebrate communities ( benthos, plankton, psammon) in littoral of different lakes were assessed as well as the nutrients, heavy metals and organic compounds concentration in land-lake ecotone. Long-term changes in the ecotone network as well as the effects of their restoration were described. The biogeochemical role of wetland patches in lakeland area was specified. A river-lake system was considered as the pattern of landscape patches and their ecotones. 8.Patterns of pine ecosystem responses to climate on boreal-temperate transect (guest editors : A.Breymayer and D.Reed) - Pol.J.Ecol.2003, 51(4) : 399-559. The results of international research project on the effects of North-South latitudinal ( N 70o 08;, E 240 47, - N 50028,' E 22059' ) climate changes on the diversity and functioning of pine forest ecosystem were presented in 15 papers dealing with : growth of pine trees and the history of pine stands reconstructed from radial growth, genesis and actual soil properties of pine forest, annual wood production and biomass, herb layer and epiphytic lichens diversity, litter fall rate and decomposition rate, organic carbon pool aand storage as well as the species richness and carbon storage in ground vegetation. The pine stands were studied on 10 plots distributed from Northern Norway to Southern Poland. Address for correspondance : Prof. Dr. Anna Hillbricht-Ilkowska , Editor POLISH JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY Centre for Ecological Research, Polish Academy of Sciences Dziekanow Lesny near Warsaw, 05-092 Lomianki, Poland Fax ( 48 22) 75131 00 , tel ( 48 22) 75131 46 e-mail [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscription Orders for the current issues of POLISH JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY as well as for back and archival issues should be mailed directly to : Library, Centre for Ecological Research, Polish Academy of Sciences, Dziekanów Leny (near Warsaw), 05-092 £omianki, Poland, fax (+48 22) 751 31 00 The payment should be made directly by cheque mailed to the address as above or by transfer to : . PKO BANK POLSKI 46- 10201026-122740972 The current price for a yearly issue is 150 US dollars + postage. However, the price may be changed and one should inquire about actual price as well as the prices of back and archival issues.
