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Factors shaping teenagers and young adults’ approach to hunting - a review of the literature
Hunting is an important element in the protection of the natural environment and biodiversity. Demographic changes and people’s distance from nature are causing society to polarize their perception of hunting. Some have ‘’Bambi Syndrome’’ and others so-called ‘’Nature Deficit disorder’’. Factors shaping attitude toward hunting are: sex, age and place of residence: girls and city based children are generally against hunting. Future of wildlife management models largely depends on the attitudes of people towards it in the coming decades. This attitudes are shaping by many different factors but it is lack of knowledge about it. For this purpose, the attitude of young people to hunting should be thoroughly and multidimensionally examined.
Dependence of Lyme disease incidence in children on environmental factors in Wielkopolska Province (West-Central Poland)
Complex population genetic structure of the bark beetle predator Thanasimus formicarius (L.) (Coleoptera: Cleridae) across its European range
Abstract Thanasimus formicarius (L.) (Coleoptera: Cleridae) is an important bark beetle predator and can reduce bark beetle population densities of some of the most severe forest pests in Europe. We analysed the population genetics and phylogeography of T. formicarius across its European range, using mitochondrial COI data from 187 individuals sampled from 23 locations. Our extensive sampling from the Fennoscandian to the Mediterranean region and from Iberia to the Middle East provides insights into the genetic structure of T. formicarius. We found a high genetic diversity, revealing 119 haplotypes across the sampling range. Two main clades, an Atlantic and a Continental, were identified, suggesting the presence of at least two glacial refugia during the last ice ages. An isolated population was discovered on the island of Corsica, suggesting that a limited number of individuals, probably from mainland France, may have colonized Corsica and a founder effect occurred. These findings increase our understanding of the recent evolutionary history of T. formicarius, which was shaped by Pleistocene events and certain species‐specific life‐history traits.
Involvement of local and non-local hunters in the tasks of the hunting club as exemplified by WKŁ 294 Hubertus in Bydgoszcz in the period of time before and during the COVID-19 pandemic
Climate warming, ecological dynamics and nature conservation drive tree diversity in Wigierski National Park, Poland
In response to ongoing climate warming, tree species adapted to colder climates are expected to shift their geographic ranges northward. Within the framework of long-term ecological monitoring in Wigry National Park (northeastern Poland), observed changes in forest biocenoses reflect the combined influence of climate change and natural ecological dynamics. This study compares dendroflora composition and diversity between two monitoring periods, 2011 and 2024, as part of an ongoing effort to track climate-related ecological shifts. Tree observations and measurements were carried out using concentric circular plots. In the largest plots, all trees with a diameter at breast height (d.b.h.) ≥ 12 cm were recorded by species, and their d.b.h. was measured. In the smaller plots, all trees with a d.b.h. ≥ 2 cm and < 2 cm but taller than 30 cm were similarly identified and measured. Data were recorded with Field-Map software integrated with an electronic calliper. The species-level taxonomic data, individual counts and basal area per species and plot were used to calculate biodiversity indices. Over the 13-year interval, a marked increase in overall dendroflora diversity was observed. Notably, the dominance of canopy-forming conifers – Pinus sylvestris and, to a lesser extent, Picea abies – measured as the proportion of individuals or stem density, has declined. This decline of coniferous species has been accompanied by an increase in the abundance and diversity of broadleaved deciduous species, including Tilia cordata, Quercus robur, Betula pendula, and Acer platanoides. Other thermophilous deciduous taxa also exhibited upward trends in both presence and abundance. Furthermore, the exponential of Shannon entropy, reached the highest value when evergreen conifers comprised 35% of the stand composition in 2011 and 18% in 2024. This finding suggests that maximum dendroflora diversity reaches its highest level at an intermediate proportion of conifers presence, rather than under conifers dominance or absence. Collectively, the processes occurring in Wigierski National Park illustrate the gradual shift in ecotonal forest ecosystems from cold-adapted coniferous species to broadleaved deciduous taxa due to ongoing climate change.
Metale ciężkie a zbiorowiska roztoczy glebowych pod drzewostanami sosnowymi na terenach skażonych
Influence of Heat Treatment and Lactic Acid Fermentation on the Physical and Chemical Properties of Pumpkin Juice
Pumpkin is a highly nutritious plant, rich in valuable nutrients that benefit human health. Due to the high perishability of this fruit, the production of pumpkin juice is a practical way to use it effectively. Recently, fermented vegetable juices have been used as a dairy alternative due to their nutritional and potential probiotic properties. This study investigated the fermentation of pumpkin juice using different strains of lactic acid bacteria (LAB), with and without heat treatment. The effects of fermentation on microbial growth, pH, acidity, extract, sugars, carotenoids, polyphenols, and antioxidant properties were analyzed. The heat-treatment process did not greatly impact the dry matter content, pH, acidity, extract, or sugar content. However, it led to a reduction in carotenoid and polyphenol levels. During fermentation, there was a consistent decrease in pH and an increase in total acidity, with no noticeable differences between bacterial strains regarding their influence on these parameters. The study revealed that there were no distinctions between LAB strains in their effects on pH, acidity, and carotenoid content in fermented pumpkin juice. Nonetheless, both L. sakei and L. plantarum proved to be effective in the fermentation process, with L. sakei demonstrating greater adaptability. The expected pH, acidity, and sugar content changes were consistently observed throughout the fermentation process. Overall, results confirm the efficacy of the used Lactobacillus strains in fermenting pumpkin juice and highlight the potential impact of heat treatment on the nutritional composition of the juice. The purpose of thermal processing of pumpkin juice, which is conducted with lactic acid fermentation, is crucial for the food industry. It extends the product’s shelf life, improves its nutritional and taste profiles, and guarantees its microbiological safety.