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The attitude towards the forest and satisfaction with life of Polish students
The aim of the study is to determine the connection between the attitude towards the forest and life satisfaction of students. The study was conducted on a sample of 650 students from Polish universities using The Satisfaction With Life Scale and an original questionnaire measuring the approach towards the forest–LAS scale. There are 3 subscales which measured: the perceived benefits from spending time in the forest; the degree of involvement in exploring the forest and working to its advantage; fears connected with the forest. The scale indicated good psychometric properties. Its reliability expressed by Cronbach’s alpha coefficient is at the level of 0.90 (0.93 for Benefits scale; 0.87 for Involvement and 0.79 for Fears). The results of the statistical analysis have led to conclusions confirming the relationship between life satisfaction and the results of LAS scale. People satisfied with their lives are more involved in exploring the forest, they enjoy more benefits connected with forest recreation and express fewer fears. Forestry students are characterised by the highest involvement and the lowest level of fears connected with the forest. As far as life satisfaction is concerned, they are in the lead among Polish students just behind students of medical and artistic studies.
The use of attractants in reducing the occurrence of the Prunus serotina (Ehrh.)
Abstract Black cherry, which occurs in European forests, contributes to their distortion or degradation of native ecosystems. Therefore, measures are taken to reduce its occurrence. One of them is the biological method involving grazing animals. The aim of this research was to develop and identify an attractant that would increase the attractiveness of black cherry as a feeding base for deer, which would limit its occurrence. This research was carried out in Zielonka (17.10941 E 52.553975 N). In the experiment, 3-year-olds were used: Tilia cordata, Acer pseudoplatanus, A. platanoides, Fagus sylvatica and Prunus serotina. Before planting the seedlings, their height was measured. The control (K, 10 trees) consisted of trees of each species that were not sprayed with attractants. Another set of 10 trees were treated over the entire surface of the shoots with a bait mixture (MW), and the next 10 trees were sprayed with a 10% aqueous solution of NaCl. The attractant spraying was repeated six times. All damage observed was recorded. The inventoried tree damage was divided into four categories: 0%, no damage; I, 1–20% damaged trees; II, 21–50% damaged trees and III, more than 50% damaged trees. The results of the Mann–Whitney U test (p = 0.0109), at the assumed level of significance (α = 0.05), showed that slightly higher seedlings were browsed. These studies indicate the potential of using attractants as preparations influencing the palatability of the black cherry for deer. All recorded bites were classified as degree I damage. The trees were gnawed by fallow deer, 35.33% of trees were not damaged by game at all, and 64.66% of trees were damaged in degree I. In the case of sycamore maple, Norway maple and linden, the bait mixture did not increase the number of nibbled buds and leaves, while NaCl increased the attractiveness of beech and black cherry as a feeding base. Conducting further research studies on the improvement of preparations may give a chance to reduce the use of chemicals in forest protection and give the possibility of using attractants where it is impossible to use herbicides.
Activity of Viscum album L. extract against wood-rot fungi and its potential application in wood preservation
Zróżnicowanie nisz mikoryzowych czeremchy amerykańskiej i zwyczajnej - wstępne badania roli grzybów w ekspansji czeremchy amerykańskiej
Enhancing Sustainability and Antifungal Properties of Biodegradable Composites: Caffeine-Treated Wood as a Filler for Polylactide
This study investigates the suitability of using caffeine-treated and untreated black cherry (Prunus serotina Ehrh.) wood as a polylactide filler. Composites containing 10%, 20%, and 30% filler were investigated in terms of increasing the nucleating ability of polylactide, as well as enhancing its resistance to microorganisms. Differential scanning calorimetry studies showed that the addition of caffeine-treated wood significantly altered the crystallization behavior of the polymer matrix, increasing its crystallization temperature and degree of crystallinity. Polarized light microscopic observations revealed that only the caffeine-treated wood induced the formation of transcrystalline structures in the polylactide. Incorporation of the modified filler into the matrix was also responsible for changes in the thermal stability and decreased hydrophilicity of the material. Most importantly, the use of black cherry wood treated with caffeine imparted antifungal properties to the polylactide-based composite, effectively reducing growth of Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium culmorum, Alternaria alternata, and Trichoderma viride. For the first time, it was reported that treatment of wood with a caffeine compound of natural origin alters the supermolecular structure, nucleating abilities, and imparts antifungal properties of polylactide/wood composites, providing promising insights into the structure-properties relationship of such composites.
The effect of commercial thinning in Scots pine stands on the growth of black cherry
Abstract Black cherry (Prunus serotina Ehrh.) is one of the most abundant invasive species found in Polish forests. The mass occurrence of this species in pine stands is one of the main problems of silviculture. Therefore, the paper addresses the problem of the effect of commercial thinning, which increases the access of light to the lower layers of the stand, on the annual growth of rings and the development of black cherry. The study attempted to determine the strength of the progression of the black cherry threat as expressed by increased diameter increment. It was assumed that the thickness increment of mature black cherry individuals after thinning would be significantly greater compared to the average thickness increment before thinning. Over time after the treatment, the average growth of sprouts of black cherry will decrease. Six pine stands differing in age and timing of the silvicultural treatment in the Golub–Dobrzyn Forest District (N 57°81′42″ E 50°20′19″) were analysed. A positive effect of commercial thinning on the thickness increment of black cherry was found in all the studied plots. Over time, the average increment of black cherries resulting from the clearance decreased. Conducting late thinning, in pine stands where black cherry occurs, results in an increased threat of its expansion. To limit the development of black cherry at this stage of pine stand management, two solutions are possible. The first is to abandon late thinning or reduce the intensity of the treatment, which will inhibit its rapid expansion. The second scenario is to limit the occurrence of black cherry a few years before thinning, perform thinning and introduce understorey or underplanting from native competitive tree species.
Shields against pollution: phytoremediation and impact of particulate matter on trees at Wigry National Park, Poland
Cherry spruce rust in the Wigry National Park and Suwałki Forest District: cone infestation and its implications
Abstract Thekopsora areolata and Chrysomyxa pirolata are pathogens preferentially infesting Norway spruce cones and lead to the complete failure of spruce seed yield. Thus, the presence of seed-injuring pathogens may be a crucial factor driving close association between cherry spruce rust occurrence on trees and limited natural regeneration of the preferred host. However, a major uncertainty remains as to which pathogens are responsible for cone infection and reduced seed viability, resulting in impeded renewal of young trees. Our study aims to investigate whether T. areolata or C. pirolata presence on the Norway spruce cones was responsible for cherry spruce rust in three sites within the Wigry National Park (one site) and the Suwałki Forest District (two sites) in North-Eastern Poland. We harvested randomly five infested Norway spruce cones from each location and analysed them to verify specific pathogen occurrence. We analysed rDNA fragments such as ITS regions and 28S to precisely identify the disease causal agent on the cones and estimate the potential of genetic diversity of the analysed fungus species. Thekopsora areolata was identified as the main fungus promoting cherry spruce rust, suggesting that host species regeneration is constrained by this pathogen’s distribution. We assumed that the apparent cherry spruce rust presence and lack of Norway spruce natural regeneration likely result from cone infection and the availability of healthy, high-quality seeds. Moreover, the occurrence of cherry spruce rust may explain the challenges associated with the deficit of seeds used for the artificial regeneration of spruce stands.
Predicting parasitic plants Loranthus Europaeus range shifts in response to climate change
Abstract Climate change significantly influences the distribution of parasitic species, posing threats to ecosystems and economies. This study examines the potential range expansion of Loranthus europaeus, a parasitic plant impacting European forestry. We assessed the impact of predicted climate change for 2041–2060 and 2061–2080 using MaxEnt modeling based on current occurrence data of L. europaeus, and the main host plant genus oak Quercus, as well as bioclimatic variables. Our model demonstrated high predictive accuracy (AUC = 0.92). The most important variables for Europe range were range of Quercus genus. Key environmental factors included isothermality (bio3) and mean temperature of wettest quarter (bio8). Under SSP126 and SSP245 scenarios, our results predict significant range expansions into northern and eastern Europe, with increases of 43.5% and 53.9% by 2041–2060. Conversely, southern Europe may see contractions of 16.4–20.6%. Projections for 2061–2080 indicate further expansions up to 65.8% in northern Europe, alongside contractions up to 29.8% in southern regions, including Turkey and Greece.These shifts highlight the influence of climate change on L. europaeus distribution and underscore the need for adaptive management strategies to mitigate potential ecological and economic impacts.
Assessment of sodium chloride application for controlling invasive black cherry Prunus serotina Ehrh.
Prospects for Oak Cultivation in Europe Under Changing Environmental Conditions and Increasing Pressure from Harmful Organisms
It is assumed that climate change (global warming) worsens the living conditions for conifers and at the same time favours the cultivation of deciduous trees, including oaks. In fact, in Poland, for example, many more oaks are now being planted as forest-forming tree species than in the 1980s and 1990s. However, the monitoring of the health status of European forests (according to the International Co-operation Project) does not confirm these optimistic assumptions, and oak has been cited as one of the most damaged tree species in terms of defoliation in recent decades. The prospects for oak cultivation in European forestry are therefore a combination of abiotic conditions and biotic damage factors. This review article focuses in particular on the new threats posed by pathogenic organisms causing emerging diseases. These include newly identified bacteria responsible for the so-called Acute Oak Decline (AOD), oomycetes (especially those specialised in damaging fine roots, such as Phytophthora quercina T.Jung) and semi-parasites of the genus Loranthus. At the same time, the pressure from commonly observed insects and fungi described in connection with the complex syndrome of oak decline, which is divided into predisposing, inciting, and contributing factors (according to Manion’s disease spiral), has not abated. Therefore, international, interdisciplinary research (such as that proposed in Oakland) is needed, using modern technologies (RS remote sensing) based on the comparison of satellite images (from different years), not only to inventory the most valuable oak stands in Europe (microrefugia) but also to identify trends in changes in their condition and biodiversity. As RS has its limitations (e.g., resolution), aerial monitoring should be complemented by quantitative and qualitative inventory from the ground, e.g., monitoring of the presence of soil microorganisms using effective molecular biological methods (e.g., Next-Generation Sequencing NGS).