=20 =20 =20
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 =E2=80=93 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. =20 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=E2=80=99s 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 . The contents, abstracts as well as the full = texts ( in pdf format) are available ( free of charge) on website of = Centre for Ecological Research : www.pol.j.ecol.cbe-pan.pl=20 NOW AVAILABLE! =20 POLISH JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY VOL. 54, NO 3 (2006) =20 CONTENTS =20 Special section on: =20 Studies on population ecology on European dormice ( Gliridae, Rodentia) =20 (Proceedings of 6th Int.Conf.on Dormice ( Gliridae)- September 2005, = Siedlce, Poland)=20 ( guest editors : M.=C5=9Aci=C5=84ski and P.A.Morris ) contains the following papers:=20 =20 Author: Victoria A. Ivashkina Title: Abundance and activity of the edible dormouse (Glis glis L.) in = the Zhiguli Mountains (Russia, Middle Volga Region) Source: Polish Journal of Ecology Year: 2006, vol. 54, number 3, pages: 337-344 Key words: activity, Glis glis, habitat, population dynamics, postnatal = development Publication order reference: Zhiguli State Reserve, Samara Region, = Zhigulyovsk city, Bahilova polyana village, 445362 Russia, e-mail: = [EMAIL PROTECTED] Abstract: The object of study was the most eastern population of the = edible dormouse (Glis glis L.), inhabiting the Zhiguli Mts. (Russia). = Numbers of the edible dormouse in different sites, factors relating to = its distribution, seasonal population dynamics, postnatal development = and activity were studied. Live-trapping was the main study method. The = dormice were also studied under laboratory conditions. The most = preferred type of forest was lime-oak forest. Dense undergrowth played = an important role in distribution of dormice. Number of dormice in = studied region was relatively high and stable. =20 =20 Author: Miros=C5=82aw Jurczyszyn Title: The use of space by translocated edible dormice, Glis glis (L.), = at the site of their original capture and the site of their release: = radio-tracking method applied in a reintroduction experiment Source: Polish Journal of Ecology Year: 2006, vol. 54, number 3, pages: 345-350 Key words: Glis glis, reintroduction, sex differences, home range, = distance travelled Publication order reference: Department of Systematic Zoology, Adam = Mickiewicz University, Fredry 10, 61=E2=80=93701 Pozna=C5=84, Poland, = e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Abstract: A study was made of the use of space by two groups (each of 6 = animals) of adult edible dormice (G. glis) at the sites of their origin = and where they were released. The reintroduction took place in = Szczeci=C5=84ski Landscape Park (north-western Poland; 53o17=E2=80=99N, = 14o46=E2=80=99E). The source sites for the animals were in the = Sierakowski Landscape Park (western Poland; 52o38=E2=80=99N, = 16o07=E2=80=99E) and a nature reserve =E2=80=9CBuczyna = Szprotawska=E2=80=9D in south-western Poland (51o30=E2=80=99N, = 15o40=E2=80=99E). All three sites had dense and extensive mixed forests. = At release and source sites, dormice were radio-tracked during 10 = successive nights between 20.00 and 05.00 at 1-hour intervals. At the = source sites, the mean distance travelled per night and mean home range = (95% Minimum Convex Polygon) (MCP) tended to be larger in males than in = females but not significantly. At the release sites, the mean distance = travelled per night and mean home range were significantly larger in = females than in males. The mean distance travelled per night by males = and their mean home range size did not differ significantly between = source and release sites (although distances were larger at the source = sites (source: 458 m; release: 265 m) and home ranges larger at the = release sites (source: 1.3 ha; release: 1.8 ha). In contrast, the mean = female distance travelled per night (source: 214 m; release: 404 m) and = mean home range (source: 0.3 ha; release: 3.5 ha) were significantly = larger at the release site than at the source sites.=20 =20 =20 Author: Rimvydas Ju=C5=A1kaitis Title: Nestbox grids in population studies of the common dormouse = (Muscardinus avellanarius L.): methodological aspects Source: Polish Journal of Ecology Year: 2006, vol. 54, number 3, pages: 351-358 Key words: Muscardinus avellanarius, nestboxes, grid system, population, = density Publication order reference: Institute of Ecology of Vilnius University, = Akademijos 2, LT-08412 Vilnius, Lithuania, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Abstract: Two different nestbox grids have been used for studies of the = common dormouse (Muscardinus avellanarius L.) populations: high-density = nestbox grids in small plots (e.g. 25=E2=80=9330 boxes ha=E2=80=931 in 1 = ha plots) and low-density nestbox grids in large plots (e.g. 4 boxes = ha=E2=80=931 in areas of 60 and 85 ha). The present study aimed to = compare efficiency and suitability of 25 =C3=97 25 m and 50 =C3=97 50 m = nestbox grids for studies of the common dormouse population, and to show = limitations of small study plots in dormouse studies. Live trapping of = dormice within nestbox grids proved that all dormice captured used = nestboxes placed in both 25 =C3=97 25 m and 50 =C3=97 50 m grids. = Regular control of nestboxes placed in the 25 =C3=97 25 m grid gave an = opportunity to register all adult dormice living in the study site = during shorter periods, and average dormouse capture rate was = significantly higher compared to the 50 =C3=97 50 m grid. However the 25 = =C3=97 25 m nestbox grid had one substantial drawback: high nestbox = density (16 boxes ha=E2=80=931) increased environment carrying capacity = for dormice in the forest, where natural hollows were almost absent. In = consequence, adult dormouse density increased two to four-fold, while = their home range sizes decreased by about half. Dormice are distributed = irregularly in large forest areas, and the results obtained in small = study plots may not reflect the average characteristics of the = population. Some results obtained in small study plots (e.g. density, = mortality) can be overestimated because of dormouse movements and edge = effects. Predators, e.g. owls, can catch some dormice and substantially = influence the results obtained in small plots. Because of the influence = on dormouse population density and other population parameters, high = density nestbox grids (e.g. 20 =C3=97 20 m, 25 =C3=97 25 m) should not = be used in dormouse population studies. Small study plots (e.g. 1 ha) = are completely unsuitable for estimation of such dormouse population = characteristics as survival (mortality) and dispersal. =20 =20 Authors: Wojciech K. Nowakowski*, Monika Godlewska Title: The importance of animal food for Dryomys nitedula (Pallas) and = Glis glis (L.) in Bia=C5=82owie=C5=BCa Forest (East Poland): analysis of = faeces Source: Polish Journal of Ecology Year: 2006, vol. 54, number 3, pages: 359-367 Key words: Glis glis, Dryomys nitedula, diet, analysis of faeces, = Bia=C5=82owie=C5=BCa Forest Publication order reference: Department of Zoology, University of = Podlasie, Prusa 12, 08-110 Siedlce, Poland, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] = (*corresponding author) Abstract: Fresh faeces of dormice found in nestboxes along the permanent = transect in Bia=C5=82owie=C5=BCa Forest were analysed. The study area = was a managed forest of diverse biotopes.=20 In total, 196 samples of faeces of the forest dormouse (Dryomys = nitedula) and 62 of edible dormouse (Glis glis) were examined. In the = faeces analysed, the following categories of food remains were = distinguished: chitin carapaces, calcareous shells, feathers, seeds, = plant fibres. In the forest dormouse, chitin carapaces were found in = 100% of samples, but in only 8% of the edible dormouse samples. Feathers = were noted in 36% of samples of forest dormouse faeces, but only in 12% = of samples from the edible dormouse. Calcareous shells were found in 14% = of forest dormouse samples and 1.6% of edible dormouse faeces. Remains = of animal food were found in 100% of samples of forest dormouse = excrements, but only in 29% of samples from the edible dormouse. The = highest percent of faecal samples with animal remains was found in the = edible dormouse in July, while in the forest dormouse seasonal variation = occurred only in some types of animal remains. Most of the chitin = carapaces identified in forest dormouse faeces came from Chilopoda = (45%), Hemiptera (33%) and Coleoptera (22%). In faeces of the edible = dormouse the majority were remains of butterflies (55%). The results = presented here suggest an almost total separation of the food niches of = the two dormouse species. =20 =20 =20 Authors: Wojciech K. Nowakowski1*, Magdalena Remisiewicz2, JOANNA = Kosowska1 Title: Food preferences of Glis glis (L.), Dryomys nitedula (Pallas) and = Graphiurus murinus (Smuts) kept in captivity Source: Polish Journal of Ecology Year: 2006, vol. 54, number 3, pages: 369-378 Key words: diet, Glis glis, Dryomys nitedula, Graphiurus murinus, = captivity Publication order reference: 1Department of Zoology, University of = Podlasie, Prusa 12, 08-110 Siedlce, Poland; e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] = (*corresponding author) 2Avian Ecophysiology Unit, Department of Vertebrate Ecology and Zoology, = University of Gda=C5=84sk, al. Legionow 9, 80-441 Gda=C5=84sk, Poland; = e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Abstract: We investigated food preferences of three species of dormice, = testing consumption by captive animals. One type of food was provided to = an animal and its =E2=80=9Csuitability=E2=80=9D scored for each species, = according to whether it was or was not consumed. If it was eaten, the = time when it was consumed was recorded (after 24, 48 or 72 hours). In = total, 17 types of animal food and 46 of plant food were tested. Animal = foods offered included different arthropods, eggs, snails and chicken = meat. Plant food consisted of fruits, seeds, nuts and green parts. Glis = glis consumed =E2=80=93 24% of animal material offered and 100% of plant = food types, Dryomys nitedula consumed =E2=80=93 77% of animal and 54% of = plant food types. Graphiurus murinus consumed =E2=80=93 94% of animal = and 63% of plant food types. G. glis showed a significantly higher = preference for plant foods rather than animal material, and preferred = plant food much more than the other two species. Both D. nitedula and G. = murinus preferred animal more than plant food and did not differ in = preferences and diversity of both kinds of food they consumed. Thus, G. = glis can be considered as principally a herbivore, while D. nitedula and = G. murinus are rather meat-eaters. It can be concluded that food niches, = especially of the two European dormice, are separate and thus in natural = conditions they do not compete strongly for food resources.=20 =20 =20 Authors: Botond Bak=C3=B31, Kristof Hecker2 Title: Factors determining the distribution of coexisting dormouse = species (Gliridae, Rodentia) Source: Polish Journal of Ecology Year: 2006, vol. 54, number 3, pages: 379-386 Key words: dormouse, coexistence, habitat, environmental factors, nest = box/tube Publication order reference: 1 Office of Nature Conservation, = K=C3=B6lt=C5=91 u. 21, H-1121, Budapest, Hungary 2 Department of Zoology and Ecology, Szent Istv=C3=A1n University, = P=C3=A1ter K=C3=A1roly u. 1., H-2103, G=C3=B6d=C3=B6ll=C5=91, Hungary, = e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Abstract: This study investigated coexistence of three dormouse species = living in the same habitat, Nasz=C3=A1ly-hill, in the north-eastern part = of the Danube-bend (N 47=C2=B049=E2=80=99 E 19=C2=B008=E2=80=99). The = vegetation of the area is very diverse, comprising a mosaic of orchards = with natural forests and forest plantations. Data were collected from = 1999 to 2005 with wooden nest boxes and from 2002 to 2005 also plastic = nest tubes were used. Study area was approximately 6 ha. All three species (hazel dormouse, Muscardinus avellanarius L., forest = dormouse Dryomys nitedula Pall. and fat dormouse Glis glis L.) have = different ecological requirements. However, they occurred simultaneously = in some microhabitats and in some places one species clearly = predominated. We also observed how the ongoing succession process in the = former orchards affected the distribution of dormice. There were seasonal differences in timing of emergence from hibernation, = greatly affecting spatial distribution of the different species. Hazel = dormice were first to appear in nest boxes and/or tubes, in March, then = forest dormice in April and fat dormice in June. As numbers of fat = dormice increased the smaller species withdrew from using the nest = boxes. Fat dormice reached peak numbers in summer and they entered = hibernation by October. =20 =20 Authors: Nadezhda Yu. Kirillova1, Alexander A. Kirillov 1, Victoria A. = Ivashkina Title: Ectoparasites of the edible dormouse Glis glis L. of Samarskaya = Luka Peninsula (Russia) Source: Polish Journal of Ecology Year: 2006, vol. 54, number 3, pages: 387-390 Key words: ectoparasites, Glis glis, Samarskaya Luka Publication order reference: 1 Institute of the Ecology of the Volga = River Basin of RAS, Togliatti, Komzina st. 10, 445003 Russia 2Zhiguli State Reserve, Samara Region, Zhigulyovsk city, Bahilova = polyana village, 445362 Russia, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Abstract: The parasitic fauna of the edible dormouse was studied in = 2004. Nine species of ectoparasites were registered: fleas = (Siphonaptera) - 7, gamasid mites (Gamasoidea) =E2=80=93 1, harvest = mites (Trombidiidae) - 1. Two ectoparasite species predominated: a flea = Nosopsyllus sciurorum and a harvest mite Trombicula zachvatkini. We = revealed differences in the infection rates of dormice of different age = and sex. Adult individuals were more infected than juveniles in terms of = the index of abundance. Infection among males was higher than in females = in terms of index of occurrence.=20 =20 =20 =20 =20 =20 =20 Authors: Micha=C5=82 =C5=9Aci=C5=84ski1, Zbigniew Borowski2 Title: Home ranges, nest sites and population dynamics of the forest = dormouse Dryomys nitedula (Pallas) in an oak-hornbeam forest: = live-trapping and radio-tracking study Source: Polish Journal of Ecology Year: 2006, vol. 54, number 3, pages: 391-396 Key words: Dryomys nitedula, home range, nest sites, population = dynamics, reproduction Publication order reference: 1 Centre for Ecological Research, Polish = Academy of Sciences, M. Konopnickiej 1, Dziekan=C3=B3w Le=C5=9Bny, = 05-092 =C5=81omianki, Poland, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] 2 Department of Forest Ecology and Wildlife Management, Forest Research = Institute, S=C4=99kocin Las, 05-090 Raszyn, Poland Abstract: Population dynamics, space use and interspecific interactions = of the forest dormouse Dryomys nitedula were studied for four years in = an oak-hornbeam forest in the Bia=C5=82owie=C5=BCa Primeval Forest (NE = Poland). Animals were captured with live-traps and marked by = ear-tattooing. Population density ranged from 1.4 to 18.6 individuals = =C3=97 10 ha=E2=80=931. Dormice reproduced in all years of study = (2001=E2=80=932004). Offspring were born in June and first juveniles = were caught at the beginning of August. The last dormice were captured = at the end of September. Three forest dormice (1 male and 2 females) = were radio-tracked during first half of June 2001. Male home range area = was larger (4.2 ha) than home range areas of females (0.75 and 0.73 ha). = The longest distance between two consecutive daytime nest sites was 275 = m for the male and 126 m for the females. Average home range length = calculated from radio-tracked individuals (218 m) was larger than the = one from live-trapped dormice (93 m). Dormice used bird nest boxes and = tree hollows for daytime nest sites. They preferred nesting in the nest = boxes previously occupied by birds and they used old bird nest material = for the nest construction. Home ranges of radio-tracked forest dormice = overlapped widely with home ranges of fat dormice Glis glis. Most of = live-traps used by the forest dormouse were also visited by the fat = dormouse.=20 =20 =20 =20 =20 =20 Author: Hanna Zaytseva Title: Nest material of the common dormouse (Muscardinus avellanarius = L.) used in nestboxes, Podilla (West Ukraine) Source: Polish Journal of Ecology Year: 2006, vol. 54, number 3, pages: 397-401 Key words: Muscardinus avellanarius, nestboxes, nest material Publication order reference: Institute of Ecology of the Carpathians, = National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Kozelnitska 4, Lviv, 79026, = Ukraine, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Abstract: The common dormouse Muscardinus avellanarius L. is a regular = inhabitant of the nestboxes placed in the region of Podilla = (48=C2=B020'N 26=C2=B030'E), West Ukraine. One hundred and forty seven = nestboxes were controlled during 2004. The dormouse occupied 31% of the = nestboxes available in oak-hornbeam forest. It is a significant = competitor of birds, which frequently occupies the nests of the collared = flycatcher Ficedula albicollis Temminck, great tit Parus major L. and = blue tit Parus caeruleus L. At the end of the year 41 nests of M. = avellanarius from the nestboxes were studied and the nest material was = analysed quantitatively. We found four basic types of dormouse nests: = foliar, mixed, layered and grassy. Mixed nests (54%) were the most = frequent. Dormice preferred to build mixed nests on the flycatcher = nests, and foliar nests on the tit nests. Leaves of trees constituted = the greatest part of the nest material (62%). Leaves of hornbeam were = the commonest fraction of the nest material, but those of linden, oak = and maples were also present in smaller quantities. Simultaneously an = experiment on the use of an artificial material for nest building by = forest inhabitants was carried out in the nature reserve. Dormice also = used an artificial material; namely a coloured thread and some tow were = found in six nests on the study area. M. avellanarius showed high = plasticity and used the most widespread and accessible nest materials = available in the particular habitat. ************ other papers : =20 =20 =20 =20 =20 =20 Authors: Stevan Avramov, Branka Tuci=C4=87 Title: Plasticity to an irradiance gradient in foliage attributes of a = perennial monocot Iris pumila (L.):comparison of populations from = habitats of contrasting light conditions Source: Polish Journal of Ecology Year: 2006, vol. 54, number 3, pages: 403-416 Key words: environmental heterogeneity, Iris pumila, irradiance = gradient, leaf traits, phenotypic plasticity, population divergence=20 Publication order reference: Department of Evolutionary Biology, = Institute for Biological Research =E2=80=9DSini=C5=A1a = Stankovi=C4=87=E2=80=9D, 142 Despot Stefan Boulevard, 11060 Belgrade, = Serbia, e-mails: [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED] Abstract: Magnitude and variation in leaf plasticity were quantified in = two Iris pumila (L.) populations from habitats of contrasting light = conditions (open dune vs wood understorey) at three light intensities = (high =E2=80=93 110, medium =E2=80=93 65, and low =E2=80=93 29 =C2=B5mol = m=E2=80=932 s=E2=80=931). Siblings developed from hand-pollinated seeds = from 13 and 15 clonal genotypes in an open and a shaded population, = respectively, raised in a growth-room were scored for morphological = (leaf number, leaf area, specific leaf area), anatomical (stomatal = density, leaf thickness, vascular bundle number, sclerenchyma and = cuticle widths) and biochemical (chlorophyll content, chlorophyll a:b = ratio) traits. Morphological traits in general and SLA (projected leaf = area per unit leaf dry mass) in particular were more sensitive to = variation in light conditions than any other examined leaf attribute, = indicating their key importance for maximizimg light-energy interception = at low irradiance. Regardless of the population origin, the average = plasticity (percentage trait change between two successive treatments) = of morphological traits declined with decreasing irradiance, opposite to = anatomical traits, particularly leaf thickness, which increased parallel = to light intensity decrease. Mean plasticity variation (across-family = CV) changed with light level, ranking in the following order = morphological <anatomical <biochemical. A higher degree of leaf = plasticity to irradiance in the shaded comparing to the open population = could be the adaptive outcome of different selective history they have = encountered within their natural habitats. =20 =20 =20 Authors: Damian Chmura1, Edyta Sierka2 Title: Relation between invasive plant and species richness of forest = floor vegetation: a study of Impatiens parviflora DC. Source: Polish Journal of Ecology Year: 2006, vol. 54, number 3, pages: 417-428 Key words: Impatiens parviflora, biodiversity, species richness, plant = invasions, nature reserves=20 Publication order reference: 1Institute of Nature Conservation, Polish = Academy of Sciences, Mickiewicza33, 31-120 Krak=C3=B3w, = [EMAIL PROTECTED], Poland, 2Department of Geobotany and Nature Protection, University of Silesia, = Jagiello=C5=84ska 28, 40-032 Katowice, Poland, [EMAIL PROTECTED] Abstract: In 13 forest reserves situated in southern Poland, 68 study = plots were established in two regions: the Jurrasic Upland and the = Silesian Upland. In these plots, size 10 m =C2=B4 10 m divided into 100 = subplots 1m2 each and randomly placed in various forest communities, = percentage cover of all species in ground layer was recorded. = Relationships between highly invasive alien plant species, Asiatic small = balsam Impatiens parviflora DC., and indigenous species, was estimated = using various indexes of species richness and diversity. They were: = Hill=E2=80=99s numbers (N0, N1, N2), Shannon-Wiener=E2=80=99s index at = the level of a subplot, alpha diversity (species richness within sites), = and beta diversity (species richness among sites) at level of a study = plot. The subplots with a presence of I. parviflora were compared with = those where only native resident species occurred. The study has shown = that subplots with the occurrence of I. parviflora are characterized by = higher species richness and diversity of native plants independently on = vegetation type. The frequency of I. parviflora was negatively = correlated with beta diversity of study plots but there was no = association with values of alpha diversity. In oak forest, alder carrs = and floodplain forests the negative correlation between percent cover of = I. parviflora and species richness, as well as cover of the herb layer = was observed. The percent cover of I. parviflora was positively = correlated with number of native species in beech forest and with their = total cover in mixed coniferous forests. However, in natural = well-preserved forest phytocoenoses I. parviflora avoids patches = characterized by high cover of ground layer species and colonizes empty = sites as an additional element of a community. =20 Authors: Ignacio Javier D=C3=ADaz-Maroto, Pablo Vila-Lameiro Title: Litter production and composition in natural stands of Quercus = robur L. (Galicia, Spain) Source: Polish Journal of Ecology Year: 2006, vol. 54, number 3, pages: 429-439 Key words: litter production, climate, Quercus robur, Galicia Publication order reference: Department of Agroforestry Engineering, = University of Santiago de Compostela, Campus Universitario s/n, 27002 = Lugo, Spain, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Abstract: Litter production is essential for transfer of energy and = nutrients from plant to soil. This paper aims to relate the phenology of = litterfall by common oak (Quercus robur L.) to specific climatic = factors. Over three years, two natural stands of Quercus robur (Cerceda = with latitude 43=C2=BA11=E2=80=99N and longitude 8=C2=BA28=E2=80=99W and = Louriz=C3=A1n with latitude 42=C2=BA25=E2=80=99N and longitude = 8=C2=BA40=E2=80=99W) near to fifty years old and located in Galicia, = Northwest of Spain, were thoroughly studied in the period = 1992=E2=80=931994. The litter was collected in five litter traps (0.5 m = wide, 20 cm high) located within a plot of 100 m2. Annual litterfall = values were similar in both stands, being between 6 and 11 = Tm=C2=B7ha=E2=80=931 (dry weight); the southern stand showed a higher = interannual variability. The leaf fraction accounted for the highest = percentage of total litter production. Usually it represents more than = 70% of annual production, but it has been exceeded by fruits production = in the corresponding season (spring in the north and summer in the = south). The climatic parameters that had the greatest influence on = litter production were total precipitation and absolute maximum = temperature with a correlation always higher than 65%. It allows to link = litter production with climate parameters with an adjusted correlation = coeficient around 70 %, even more in the south plot (Louriz=C3=A1n). = With an easy ANOVA analysis it is possible to distinguish the season = with greater litter production; it is the autumn in all cases except = fruits production as was said above. =20 =20 =20 =20 =20 =20 =20 Authors: Monika Tarkowska-Kukuryk Title: Water soldier Stratiotes aloides L. () Hydrocharitaceae) as a = substratum for macroinvertebrates in a shallow eutrophic lake Source: Polish Journal of Ecology Year: 2006, vol. 54, number 3, pages: 441-451 Key words: Stratiotes aloides, epiphytic fauna, mining fauna, submerged = vegetation, lake Publication order reference: Department of Hydrobiology and = Ichthyobiology, University of Agriculture in Lublin, Akademicka 13, = 20-950 Lublin, Poland, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Abstract: The importance of water soldier (Stratiotes aloides L.) as a = colonization substratum for epiphytic and mining fauna has been = investigated in the shallow, eutrophic lake in East Poland. Samples were = taken in May, July and October in 2000=E2=80=932001. Studies focused on = abundance and species diversity of phytophilous fauna of Stratiotes = aloides, in particular on the relation between epiphytic and mining = organisms and their seasonal changes. The studied zoocenosis differed = significantly in terms of density and taxa number. In all studied = seasons fauna inhabiting Stratiotes aloides showed higher abundance and = species diversity than mining invertebrates. Both zoocenosis were = predominated by Chironomidae larvae. The percentage of midges in = epiphytic fauna decreased slightly during vegetation period, the mining = fauna showed the opposite pattern. Epiphytic Chironomidae were dominated = by four taxa (Dicrotendipes sp., Glyptotendipes sp., Paratanytarsus = austriacus, Psectrocladius sp.). The mining fauna was represented mainly = by Glyptotendipes sp. larvae. Density and biomass of epiphytic fauna = showed the positive correlation with water soldier biomass. =20 Authors: Ximena Aguilera1,2, Giovani Crespo2, Steven Declerck1, Luc De = Meester1 Title: Diel vertical migration of zooplankton in tropical, high mountain = lakes (Andes, Bolivia) Source: Polish Journal of Ecology Year: 2006, vol. 54, number 3, pages: 453-464 Key words: diel vertical migration, zooplankton, Cordillera de los = Andes, Andes lakes, Bolivia, high mountain lakes, Boeckella titicacae, = Daphnia pulex Publication order reference: 1Laboratory of Aquatic Ecology, Catholic = University of Leuven, Ch. De B=C3=A9riotstraat 32, 3000 Leuven-Belgium, = e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (corresponding author) 2ULRA, Unit of limnology and Aquatic Resources, Mayor de San Simon = University, Cochabamba, Bolivia Abstract: Diel Vertical Migration (DVM) is a widespread behavior in = zooplankton. Although considered to be a predator avoidance behavior in = most cases, DVM is also influenced by the distribution of food, = competitive interactions and UV (Ultraviolet) radiation. In this paper = we report the day and nighttime vertical distribution of the common = zooplankton species in nine high altitude tropical Andean lakes to = obtain an idea of the range in vertical distribution patterns in Andean = lakes. The lakes are situated between 4000 and 4545 m a.s.l. The maximum = depth of the lakes varied from 5 to 24 m, and the area varied between = 0.6 and 20.75 ha. Daphnia pulex (Leydig 1860) showed tendencies for a = normal vertical migration behavior in all lakes sampled irrespective of = whether the lakes contained fish. The population resided deeper in the = water column during the daytime than during the night, although = migration amplitude differed strongly among lakes. In many lakes, there = was an important daytime =E2=80=9Cdeficit=E2=80=9D in the number of = individuals caught, suggesting that the animals stay close to the bottom = of the lake during the day. It suggests that UV radiation is the more = likely factor influencing the DVM of Daphnia. Copepods and rotifers = showed reverse DVM in some lakes. Our data suggest that the DVM behavior = of copepods and rotifers in the studied lakes may in part be determined = by the avoidance of competition from Daphnia pulex.=20 =20 =20 Authors: Joanna Ciesio=C5=82kiewicz1, Grzegorz Or=C5=82owski2, Andrzej = El=C5=BCanowski1 Title: High juvenile mortality of grass snakes Natrix natrix (L.) on a = suburban road Source: Polish Journal of Ecology Year: 2006, vol. 54, number 3, pages: 465-472 Key words: European grass snake, Natrix natrix, juvenile mortality, road = mortality, Lower Silesia Publication order reference: 1 Department of Zoology, University of = Wroc=C5=82aw, Sienkiewicz 21, 50-335 Wroc=C5=82aw, Poland e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] 2 Department of Agricultural Basis to Environmental Management, The = Agricultural University of Wroc=C5=82aw, Grunwald Pl. 24, 50-363 = Wroc=C5=82aw, Poland =20 Abstract: Hundred-ninety dead grass snakes Natrix natrix (L. 1758) were = collected over 10 months in two years on an 1800-meter stretch of a = local road in the outskirts of Wroclaw, a major city in SW Poland. The = mortality rate reached a record high value of 204 snakes km=E2=80=931 = day=E2=80=931 (1.16 snakes km=E2=80=931 day=E2=80=931). Two peaks of = road mortality, one from the end of May through the beginning of June, = and the other, at the beginning of August, contributed 80% of records. = The majority (89%) of 110 measured specimens were juveniles with the = total length below 30 cm, and around 30% of those collected in the = spring and the summer were hatchlings with the total length up to 20 cm. = This suggests a significant extension of the hatching period, which may = be related to the local mild climate and/or climate warming. The road = kill numbers correlated significantly with maximum daily temperatures = through the cool (for May) to average (for June) spring of 2004 but not = through the hot spring of 2003, which suggests that under average or = cool weather conditions the mobility of grass snakes is limited by = maximum daily temperatures. No significant correlation with daily = rainfall could be established. =20 =20 Authors: Robert Rutkowski1*, =C5=81ukasz Rejt1, Anna Szczuka2 Title: Analysis of microsatellite polymorphism and genetic = differentiation in urban and rural kestrels Falco tinnunculus (L.) Source: Polish Journal of Ecology Year: 2006, vol. 54, number 3, pages: 473-480 Key words: Falco tinnunculus, genetic differentiation, microsatellites, = synurbization Publication order reference: 1 Museum and Institute of Zoology Polish = Academy of Sciences, Wilcza 64, 00-679 Warsaw, Poland, *e-mail: = [EMAIL PROTECTED] 2 Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology Polish Academy of Sciences, = Pasteura 3, 02-093 Warszawa, Poland=20 Abstract: The European Kestrel Falco tinnunculus (L.) is commonly = observed in urban-industrial environment. Colonization of cites by the = species was shown to be interlinked with changes in its ecology and = breeding biology. Such adaptations can lead to isolation of urban = populations from rural birds. In this paper we investigated genetic = differentiation between birds from centre of Warsaw (Centre Group), = suburban area of the city (Suburban Group) and one rural area (Rural = Group). We analyse polymorphism of six microsatellite loci in 56 = Kestrels. The results shown moderate and significant differentiation = between Centre and Rural groups and intermediate differentiation among = Suburban and two other groups. Although our study is based on small = number of individuals and only one rural sampling site, it suggested = some level of isolation between city and rural environment. We assumed = that observed differentiation might be the result of Urban Island system = of appearance and maintenance of Kestrel population in Warsaw. We also = suspect that suburban areas of the city form a =E2=80=98zone of = admixture=E2=80=99, where genes from the city and non-urban populations = are =E2=80=98meeting=E2=80=99.=20 =20 =20 Authors: Sang-don Lee1, Piotr G. Jab=C5=82o=C5=84ski2 Title: Spatial segregation of foraging sites in winter mixed-species = flocks of forest birds near Seoul, (Korea) Source: Polish Journal of Ecology Year: 2006, vol. 54, number 3, pages: 481-490 Key words: body size, niche division, foraging, mixed-species flocks, = Paridae, Korea Publication order reference: 1 Department of Environmental Science and = Engineering, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 120-720 Korea, e-mail: = [EMAIL PROTECTED] 2 Centre for Ecological Research, PAS 05-092 Lomianki, Poland, e-mail: = [EMAIL PROTECTED] Abstract: Winter mixed flocks of tits, Paridae, and associated birds, = have been good models for studying ecological niche division. General = claims regarding ecological processes in such guilds have been made by = authors who mostly studied North European and North American birds = conveniently located near their universities, while huge areas of = geographical distribution of the mixed species flocks on the Asian = continent are poorly studied. In this report we describe spatial = distribution of foraging sites of eight species in 39 winter flocks of = birds near Seoul, Korea: Varied tit =E2=80=93 Parus varius Temminck & = Schlegel, Great tit =E2=80=93 P. major Temminck & Schlegel, Marsh tit = =E2=80=93 P. palustris Bianchi, Coal tit =E2=80=93 P.ater Buturlin, = Long-tailed tit =E2=80=93 Aegithalos caudatus Clark, Nuthatch =E2=80=93 = Sitta europaea Swinhoe, Japanese Pygmy Woodpecker =E2=80=93 Dendrocopos = kizuki Taka-Tsukasa, and Goldcrest =E2=80=93 Regulus regulus Blakiston. = Foraging sites were classified into five height layers. Trees were = divided into three horizontal zones depending on the distance from = trunk: crown interior, intermediate zone, and external twigs. Species = differed significantly among each other in the use of height layers: P. = major foraged mostly on the ground, P. ater and A. caudatus foraged = mostly in the highest forest layer, P. palustris was often seen in = bushes, and P. varius occurred in the middle tree layer. There was no = clear correlation between foraging height and species body size. = However, body size played an important role for segregation in = horizontal zones, and one pair of species, the larger P.major and the = smaller P.ater, differed significantly in the mean distance from trunk. = Species of large body size, P.varius and P.major, foraged mostly in the = interior of the tree crown, while the smaller species, P.ater and = A.caudatus, foraged mostly in the external zone; the intermediate in = size, P.palustris, foraged equally often in each of the three zones. The = sites used most often by Korean populations of three tit species, = P.major, P.palustris and P.ater, were similar to the sites used by = European populations of the respective species. These results represent = one of a few quantitative studies on mixed species flocks in continental = Asia. =20 =20 =20 Author: Piotr Zduniak Title: The prey of hooded crow (Corvus cornix L.) in wetland: study of = damaged egg shells of birds=20 Source: Polish Journal of Ecology Year: 2006, vol. 54, number 3, pages: 491-498 Key words: Corvus cornix, diet, egg shells, Hooded Crow, nest predation, = protected areas Publication order reference: Department of Avian Biology and Ecology, = Institute of Environmental Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, = Collegium Biologicum, Umultowska 89, 61-614 Pozna=C5=84, Poland, e-mail: = [EMAIL PROTECTED] Abstract: The species composition of the Hooded Crow (Corvus cornix) = prey and its preferences for selected bird species are described on the = basis of the egg shells found in the flooded area in the National Park = =E2=80=9CUj=C5=9Bcie Warty=E2=80=9D in Western Poland. In the years = 2000=E2=80=932003, during breeding seasons, 1104 shells of 16 bird = species were found. The most common species was the Coot Fulica atra = (69% of all the shells). The remaining species mainly were: the Mallard = Anas platyrhynchos (13%), the Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus (7%), = the Black-necked Grebe Podiceps nigricollis (4%) and the Garganey Anas = querquedula (4%). The number of shells found and the median date when = shells were found differed between the years of study. The differences = are probably related to the effect of variation in the number and = differences in breeding phenology of potential crow=E2=80=99s prey = between seasons, which are connected with water conditions occurring in = the study area. =20 =20 =20 Authors: Iv=C3=A1n M. Quezada, Ernesto Gianoli* Title: Simulated herbivory limits phenotypic responses to drought in = Convolvulus demissus (Convolvulaceae) Source: Polish Journal of Ecology Year: 2006, vol. 54, number 3, pages: 499-503 Key words: perennials, phenotypic plasticity, resource availability, = water deficit Publication order reference: Department of Botany, University of = Concepci=C3=B3n, Casilla 160-C, Concepci=C3=B3n, Chile, e-mail: = [EMAIL PROTECTED] Abstract: Drought and herbivory are important stress factors for plants. = When plants are subjected to any form of stress, phenotypic responses = are elicited to reduce damage. Responses to drought include a decrease = in leaf area and aerial biomass, and an increase in root/shoot ratio of = biomass allocation. If plants are subjected to drought and herbivory at = the same time, constrained responses are expected due to resource = limitation. In a greenhouse experiment we analyzed the effect of = simulated herbivory on the ability to respond to drought stress in = seedlings of the Chilean perennial herb Convolvulus demissus = (Convolvulaceae), which in natural populations may experience water = deficit during dry summers as well as grazing by mammals. Plants = subjected to drought showed the phenotypic responses theoretically = expected. In contrast, plants subjected to a combined drought + = herbivory treatment did not show those responses, being phenotypically = similar to control plants. It is suggested that herbivory may limit = responses to drought in C. demissus, hence magnifying the negative = consequences on plant fitness of such abiotic factor. =20 =20 =20 Authors: Daniela Kellerov=C3=A1, Rastislav Jan=C3=ADk Title: Air temperature and ground level ozone concentration in = submountain beech forest (Western Carpathians, Slovakia)=20 Source: Polish Journal of Ecology Year: 2006, vol. 54, number 3, pages: 505-509 Key words: ground level ozone, air temperature, submountain beech = forests, Western Carpathian Mts.=20 Publication order reference: Institute of Forest Ecology of the Slovak = Academy of Sciences, =C5=A0t=C3=BArova 2, 96053 Zvolen, Slovak Republik, = =20 e-mails: [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED] Abstract: The seasonal dynamics of ozone concentration and air = temperature for an open and a forest plots on Ecological Experimental = Site (EES) was studied. The EES in Western Carpathians (Central = Slovakia) is situated in submountain beech forest on 500 m a.s.l. in = Kremnick=C3=A9 vrchy Mts. The measurements (passive method) were = realized for 1999=E2=80=932003 years. The mean monthly values of = concentration of ground level ozone follow a natural course (range 34 = =E2=80=93 60 =C2=B5g m=E2=80=933), with one or two peaks in the growing = season. No significant difference between open area and forest stand was = found. The daily critical limit of 65=C2=B5g m=E2=80=933 was exceeded = eight times. The exceeded values of the ozone concentration are = influenced by climate factors, primarily air temperature. Long-range = transport of pollutants influence them to greater extent that it was = supposed initially. The annual mean ozone concentration corresponds to = the situation in the whole Central-European region. The values measured = in submountain beech forests were however lower compared to the = industrial agglomerations. =20 =20 =20 =20 =20 =20 Still available are the SPECIAL ISSUES published in last years : =20 1.Long-term effect of liming in a humic lake ( editor : = A.Hillbricht-Ilkowska ). =E2=80=93 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.D=C4=85browska-Prot) =E2=80=93 Pol. J. Ecol. 1999, 47(4) : 365-476. Response of soil conditions, herb-layer vegetation and = invertebrate communities=20 ( spiders, entomofauna) in montainous spruce forest affected by air = pollution. 3.Biomanipulation of macroarthropods =E2=80=93 effect on = food web in grass ecosystem=20 ( guest editor : A.Kajak) =E2=80=93 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.=20 4. Bank vole biology : recent advances in the population = biology of a model species ( guest editors : G.Bujalska and L. Hansson ) = =E2=80=93 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.=C5=BBurek and H.Kasza) = =E2=80=93 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=20 ( guest editors : Radwan S., Rybak J.I., W=C4=99gle=C5=84ska T.) = =E2=80=93 Pol.J.Ecol . 2003, 51(1) : 109 =E2=80=93 250.=20 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.=20 8.Patterns of pine ecosystem responses to climate on = boreal-temperate transect (guest editors : A.Breymayer and D.Reed) =E2=80=93 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,=E2=80=99 E 22059=E2=80=99 ) 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.=20 =20 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] =20 =20 =20 =20
