Rzeszów 2015
Articles
Kevin R. BUTT, Tim WALMSLEY
Sustainability of earthworm communities in translocated grasslands: the first decade after runway 2 construction at Manchester Airport
DOI: 10.15584/pjsd.2015.19.1
Construction of a second runway at Manchester Airport led to a £17 million environmental mitigation package concerned with habitat restoration, relocation of species and translocation of valuable habitat components. One major concern was for legally protected vertebrate species (Meles meles and Triturus cristatus) affected by these works. To this end, a monitoring programme was established to assess earthworm communities (potential prey for the protected animals) within areas of translocated grassland. Major upheaval of soils can have negative consequences on soil biota, so integration of translocated turf with receptor subsoil was essential. The work reported here relates to continued monitoring of 4 specific translocated grassland areas. Digging and hand sorting of soil from replicated plots of 0.1 m2, followed by vermifuge (mustard) application was used to extract earthworms. Monitoring took place on an annual basis during the same week of October from 1998-2007. Twelve species of earthworm were located, representing three ecological groups. Recorded densities ranged from 4 to 427 earthworms m-2. Similarly, biomasses ranged between 2 and 110 g m-2. Significant differences can be ascribed to type of translocation undertaken (turf transfer or soil alone) and also between grassland sites (low lying, slopes, hillocks) and across years. Meteorological data suggests that the most significant environmental aspect during the decade of monitoring was rainfall, having its greatest negative effect on earthworms in 2003. Earthworm community composition has been dynamic over this time period.
Zbigniew W. CZERNIAKOWSKI
INFLUENCE OF PROGRESS IN NATURAL AND TECHNICAL SCIENCES ON EXOTIC GARDENS EVOLUTION IN EUROPE
DOI: 10.15584/pjsd.2015.19.2
The exotic plants were collected in European gardens from a lot of centuries. But the golden age for this profession was started since Dr. Nathaniel Bagshaw Ward has investigated a special way to intercontinental transport of seedlings. The second vary important event was possibilities to construct quite new orangeries – greenhouses. This technical progress made it possible to acclimatize a lot of exotic plants and a very big progress in botanical science, cultivate of plants, horticulture and finally in landscape architecture.
Mariola GARCZYŃSKA, Joanna KOSTECKA
BEES AS IMPORTANT FACTOR FOR HEALTH OF ECOSYSTEMS AND HUMAN – selected arguments
DOI: 10.15584/pjsd.2015.19.3
Pollinating insects, bees in particular, play a very important role in the environment; thanks to them most plants on our planet bears fruits (and the plants are human’s and many animals’ food). Bees also produce valuable products such as honey, royal jelly and propolis, they all have utility and therapeutic effect. In the recent years mass extinction of bees is observed. There are many reasons for this disturbing phenomenon. We urgently need to begin to counter these threats and protect bees, valuable for ecosystem services and all life on Earth.
Krzysztof KASPRZAK
SPORTS AND TOURISM-RECREATION INVESTMENTS WHICH CAN POTENTIALLY WORSEN THE ENVIRONMENT CONDITION
DOI: 10.15584/pjsd.2015.19.4
To design projects recognised as being with potential influence on the environment, we can distinguish a group of investments connected with sports, recreation and tourism. Their realisation and further exploitation can be, and usually are dangerous to the natural environment as typical industry and transport investments. Execution procedures of Environmental Impact Assessment for sports investments or forecast for the area that will be used for sports-recreation aims after finishing the economic activity is a difficult process. This applies not only to technical infrastructure but also to direct and indirect effects arising from its exploitation which can have very wide territorial coverage and appear in a long term of time. They can also have significant influence on visual resources of the landscape.
Krzysztof KASPRZAK
SIMPLIFY THE CONSTRUCTION PROCESS AND THE PROTECTION OF NATURAL RESOURCES
DOI: 10.15584/pjsd.2015.19.5
Building has a basic meaning not only for economy and its development, but it is also one of the main man’s activities having influence on the changes in space and environment. Legal system of investment is not transparent in our country and for years they have been judged by entrepreneurs, local government units, industry associations and professional organizations as a factor which hinders business activity or public investments. It is characterized by too many extensive procedures and it is time consuming. Construction process adapted to the economic conditions, together with spatial planning, has to protect another important public interest which, among others, is spatial order, protection of cultural and environmental goods and natural resources. Therefore, the basic knowledge of research procedure and legislative procedures has a direct relevance not only for investors but also for those dealing with different aspects of environments and living and non living nature resources protection. Exemption from the requirement to obtain a building permit specified in construction law for many investments does not absolve their investors from the obligation to adopt the construction law, especially building technical regulations, norms, health and safety regulations, and also fire, sanitary, environment and cultural good protection regulations. Construction supervision authorities have the right to control the practical implementation of the provisions. In case of any illegal activities this control can lead to issuing appropriate decisions, if the rules empower to it, or to issue appropriate decisions about the application of the provisions on administrative enforcement proceedings (as it regards the requirements arising directly from legislative provisions). Introduction to simplify and shorten the administrative procedures does not mean that the investor can carry out the investment according to his own imagination. Full control of the project impact on the environment and the objects of the cultural heritage is still provided.
Krzysztof KASPRZAK, Joanna KOSTECKA
ENCYCLICAL OF CRISIS AND HOPE
DOI: 10.15584/pjsd.2015.19.6
Whether we like it or not, whether we are aware or stubbornly reject this belief, we are part of nature. Using her services, especially during the last fifty years of consumerism we approached and exceeded the planet’s capacity to regenerate its resources. Now scientists collected a lot of data on the connection between man and nature and above all, on dependency on the diversity of the biosphere. These reports and deliberations of numerous conferences dedicated to problems of sustainable development of civilization enter into awareness and effect the lives of the average citizen of our Planet Earth very slowly. On Care for Our Common Home (Laudato Si’) is the new appeal from Pope Francis (2015) addressed to “every person living on this planet” for an inclusive dialogue about how we are shaping the future of our planet. Pope Francis calls the Church and the world to acknowledge the urgency of our environmental challenges and to join him in embarking on a new path. This encyclical is written with both hope and resolve, looking to our common future with candor and humility. The encyclical has a chance to reach out to Christians all over the Earth, to raise their conscience and to liberate pro-environment and pro-social activities in everyday life. The Pope spoke up in defense of nature, which is the common home of all living beings, but also noted that ecology makes sense only when we see the greatness of man and his uniqueness, while protecting nature, we do not forget about human nature and its laws. The authors of the article recall elements of the history of thought forming the concept of sustainable development, assessed commonly as the basis for the survival of human civilization. They highlight the groundbreaking importance of the inclusion of the Church in shaping the ecological conscience. Authors also express the hope that that conscience is a force of modern Homo sapiens to radical, giving hope for the survival of the species, changes of life organization at socio-economic and natural level.
Justyna KOC-JURCZYK, Łukasz JURCZYK
ANALYSIS OF WASTEWATER TREATMENT IN THE WOLA DALSZA WWTP
DOI: 10.15584/pjsd.2015.19.7
The aim of this study was an evaluation of functioning municipal wastewater treatment plant for Lancut town (Poland, subcarpathian province). The assessment of operational efficiency has been based on the reduction of chosen pollution indexes, such as: the BOD5, COD, total suspended solids, total nitrogen and phosphorus in outflow. Studies carried out between 2004 and 2011 have revealed excellent treatment performance, which complies to local law regulations.
Joanna KOSTECKA, Agnieszka PIERSIAK, Renata PAWLAK
EDUCATION FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT – THE KOS PROJECT („KNOW OLD SPECIALS”)
DOI: 10.15584/pjsd.2015.19.8
Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) requires knowledge and engaging in natural, social and economic plane. Each idea and well thought activating projects in a broad range of social foundations of sustainable development seem to be particularly valuable and very important here. Building a holistic view of environmental issues (with emphasis on social issues) will simplify finding solutions to problems under the new rules of the global population Human development. KOS programme activates to act younger and older people over 50 years of age. It combines youth and senior citizens as a source of knowledge and experience. The publication presents the program KOS: its purpose, beneficiaries, stages of implementation with the priorities and programme evaluation methods.
Joanna KOSTECKA, Anna MAZUR-PĄCZKA
EXAMPLE OF ACTIVE EDUCATION – “PHILOSOPHY OF NATURE” COURSE – PASO PROJECT (“ASK – SEARCH FOR THE ANSWER”)
DOI: 10.15584/pjsd.2015.19.9
The paper presents PASO, an original project introduced to the course of “Philosophy of Nature” for students of Renewable Energy and Waste Management at the University of Rzeszów. The project is to activate students to ask tough questions and seek answers regarding directions of the development of civilization and the relationship of man – man and man – nature. The paper presents its goal, strategies of implementation and evaluation methods.
Janusz R. MROCZEK
PORK IN SUSTAINABLE FOOD ECONOMICS
DOI: 10.15584/pjsd.2015.19.10
Pork ranks among the most frequently consumed types of meat in Poland. For several years pork consumption rates have remained at a level of approx. 40 kilos per person. Because of its chemical composition, dietary value and the contents of complete protein with amino acids at proportions beneficial for human organism, pork holds an important place in food economics. Yet, industrial technologies employed in pig farming, contribute to serious water, soil and air pollution, adversely impacting the natural environment and sustainable development, both domestically and globally. Hence, it is necessary to look for pro-ecological solutions related to pig stock handling and feeding, in compliance with the principles of sustainable development.
Mateusz OKRUTNIAK, Irena M. GRZEŚ, Zbigniew BONCZAR
FAUNA OF EARTHWORMS OF ZINC-LEAD WASTE DUMPS
DOI: 10.15584/pjsd.2015.19.11
The present study was conducted in the area of post flotation dumps contaminated with zinc and lead. The aim of the study was to test if the dumps being at different stage of reclamation are inhabited by earthworms and to asses their species diversity and biomass. Invertebrates were collected using Satchel’s method during the seasons 2010 and 2011. In the area of “Trzebionka” and “Bolesław” waste dumps 2 and 6 species of earthworms were found, respectively. Significantly higher biomass was found for “Trzebionka”, that can be explained by positive effect of Lumbricus terrestris.
Marta PISAREK, Marta GARGAŁA-POLAR
THE STUDY OF FUNCTIONALITY OF THE CITY GARDEN NAMED SOLIDARNOŚĆ IN RZESZÓW
DOI: 10.15584/pjsd.2015.19.12
The aim of the study was to identify the spatial factors, affecting on the functionality of the City Garden named Solidarność. Own field observations and a survey among visitors in the park were conducted. It was noted that the City Garden was used by people sitting on benches or strolling along the paths, coming with the children to the playground and treating the garden as a communication way. More people rested in weekdays than off from work, and a maximum of visits were in the afternoon hours. People most often rested in a slightly sheltered from the sun and not exposed to the birds. Respondents, the current state of the Garden assessed as appropriate, but they postulated the change the surface of the Garden, the solve the problem of nesting birds, to bring more decorative small architecture and flowerbeds, as well as the construction of a dog toilet. Respondents negatively referred to the construction of the fence and closing the park from dusk till dawn.