A bstract The aim of this study was to investigate the dynamics of forest fuel accumulation in relation to fire hazard in the green zones forests of Kyiv and Kharkiv cities. The research employed analytical–calculative, monitoring and generalising methods to assess the formation and accumulation of forest fuels and to provide practical recommendations. The results identified key factors influencing the accumulation of surface forest fuels within these urban forests. In Kyiv’s green zone, pine stands growing under the most widespread forest site conditions (B 2–3 : fresh and moist subor types), the total litter load (in absolutely dry condition) ranged from 8.1 to 46.0 t/ha, with litter layer thickness varying between 2.1 and 8.1 cm. In Kharkiv’s green zone forests, significantly higher fuel loads were recorded, ranging from 15.6 t/ha in young pine stands to 60.0 t/ha in mature and overmature forests. A litter stock modelling approach was applied to estimate the accumulation of forest litter and duff in the periurban forests of Kyiv and Kharkiv using the conversion coefficients ( R v ) derived from empirical stand parameters (DBH, density and age). The models demonstrated high accuracy ( R 2 = 0.75–0.98) and confirmed that the highest surface fuel accumulation in pine stands occurs at 60–75 years. It was confirmed that pine stands in Kharkiv’s green zones growing under fresh subor conditions accumulate 22.8% more surface fuels. The difference in normalised mean values was statistically significant ( t st = –1.89, t crit = 1.69; p = 0.03).
A bstract Although the concept of ecosystem services is not new, its importance has increased significantly in recent years, and references to ecosystem services are now included in key strategic and planning documents both in Poland and at the European level. These documents emphasize, among other aspects, the need for spatial mapping of ecosystem service distribution. Ecosystem services have also been incorporated into forest management plans within the State Forests National Forest Holding. At the same time, public interest in forest-related ecosystem services has grown noticeably. This study employed an online questionnaire combined with a Public Participation Geographic Information Systems (PPGIS) module to identify the factors determining the choice of forest areas in the Warsaw metropolitan area for recreational purposes, as well as the factors discouraging forest visits. In addition, the study aimed to assess the importance of ecosystem services provided by forests and to spatially map not only locations preferred for recreation and those avoided by respondents, but also areas considered valuable in terms of cultural ecosystem services (CES). The findings indicate that regulating and CES are considered the most important by residents of the Warsaw metropolitan area. Recreational choices are primarily influenced by accessibility and the opportunity to find peace and quiet, while the most significant factors discouraging forest visits include noise and vandalism. The PPGIS module enabled detailed spatial mapping of recreational areas, avoided locations, and the distribution of ecosystem services valued by respondents. Given the non-representative nature of the sample, this study should be regarded as a pilot investigation. Nevertheless, the applied methodology offers valuable potential for use in public consultation processes and participatory planning in forest and landscape management.
Abstract Effective cultivation of Scots pine ( Pinus sylvestris ) planting material with a closed-root system largely depends on the optimal substrate composition, which provides favourable conditions for seed germination and seedling growth. This study presents the results of analysing the impact of different substrate modifications on seed germination, seedling condition, seedling height growth and root system development. The research covered five substrate variants: 3 two-component substrates (bark:peat in ratios of 2:1, 1:1 and 1:2) and 2 three-component substrates (bark:peat:forest soil 1:1:1; bark:peat:sawdust compost 1:1:1). It was found that the first seedlings emerged 15 days after sowing in all experimental variants, and the average germination rate was 69.75%. The best germination and germination energy were observed in the substrate dominated by peat (1:2). The seedlings grown in substrates with sawdust compost and a balanced component ratio showed the best biometric performance overall. Seedling height growth depended on the substrate composition: the highest values (5.5 cm) were recorded in variants with a higher content of peat and sawdust compost, whereas compacted forest soil slowed down their growth. Spring inventory showed that the average seedling height was observed in substrate 3 (with the highest peat content) and substrate 5 (which included sawdust compost). The study evaluates the effects of plant growth regulators Stimpo, Epin Extra, Humat Ultra and Megafol on plant morphophysiological parameters. The application of these biostimulants enhanced growth processes, increased tolerance to abiotic stress factors and improved adaptive responses. Epin Extra demonstrated a pronounced anti-stress effect, Humat Ultra stimulated root system development and nutrient uptake, Megafol intensified metabolic activity under stress conditions, while Stimpo promoted seed germination and early plant growth. The combined use of these regulators resulted in improved plant productivity and viability. The use of growth regulators significantly increased the biometric parameters of seedlings, particularly root collar diameter and biomass. The highest efficacy was observed for Megafol (p < 0.01), while Stimpo and Humate Ultra also resulted in significant improvements in these parameters. Epin Extra demonstrated a moderate but statistically significant effect (p < 0.05). The results obtained indicate the advisability of using Megafol and Stimpo to intensify the growth processes of seedlings. The most effective growing media for Scots pine seedlings are a two-component bark–peat mixture (1:2) and a three-component bark–peat–sawdust mixture (1:1:1), which yield the highest germination rates and the best biometric indicators. Other options, particularly those incorporating forest soil, proved to be less effective.
A bstract The purpose of this research was to assess the species composition and biodiversity of predatory beetles collected in Gomilshanski lisy National Nature Park, depending on management regimes and anthropogenic loading. Four window traps were placed in each of the five groups of sample plots: clear felling, selective sanitary felling, stationary recreation, regulated recreation, and protected zone. The dominance of each predator species (relative D), frequency of occurrence (F), the Synthetic index (Q), the Shannon Diversity Index (H), and the Sörensen-Czekanowski index (Csc) were evaluated. A total of 36 species of predatory beetles from 24 genera and 10 families were caught. Predatory species richness was the highest in the protected zone and the lowest in the clear felling plot. In the pooled sample of predatory beetles, two species ( Cl. mutillarius and P. flavicornis ) are dominant (5.6%), eight species (22.2%) are subdominant, nine species (25%) are recedents, and 17 species (47.2%) are subrecedents. The greatest dissimilarity by frequency of predatory beetle occurrence (F) was found between the sample plot of clear felling and the rest of the sample plots and zones, while the synthetic index (Q) confirmed the greatest dissimilarity between the protected zone and the rest of the sample plots and zones. The data obtained will help predict possible negative consequences for biodiversity and forest health and take preventive measures.
A bstract The study presents estimates of the dynamics of the urban forest stand ecosystem services in Feofania Park, based on forest live biomass assessment models and data from forest management planning. The study aimed to compare the model approach for forest live biomass assessment with permanent sample plot data and to investigate the possibility of forest ecosystem service assessment based on forest biomass models. The fieldwork was conducted on four permanent sample plots in urban forests, established in 2016 and 2017. The age range of the research stands from 80 to 180 years. Each sample plot determined the species composition of forest stands and the status of trees by measuring and surveying in kind, with a division into live and dead biomass. The peculiarities of the redistribution of trees by vitality status in 2023 changed to some extent due to an increase in the number of dead trees (snags). It has been established that the highest current increment of live biomass is observed on the permanent sample plot with a structurally complex stand, featuring 180–190-year-old oak trees in the first canopy layer. For each permanent sample plot, a comparison of biomass indicators for the tree stand was made using fieldwork and model-based data. The relative deviation in the overall estimate of forest live biomass using the model approach ranged from -39% to -2% when comparing estimates from permanent sample plots collected during fieldwork from 2016 (2017) to 2023. This suggests the potential applicability of using a model to estimate the biomass of each urban forest plot in the park. The assessment of the biomass of the park's forest stands served as the basis for calculating the volumes of carbon storage, produced oxygen, and accumulated energy.
