Long-term changes and variability in the seasonality of river discharge for selected Polish rivers

The aim of the paper is to carry out a multi-faceted analysis of the changes and the multiannual variability of the seasonal structure of river runoff in Poland. The research study is focused on river catchments situated in various regions of Poland. The seasonality index (Markham 1970) is employed to provide an assessment of river discharge seasonality for a multi-year period using data obtained from 40 water gauges. The collected data include the daily discharge of the analyzed rivers in the period 1951–2010. Average seasonality indices of the discharge of the investigated rivers were computed. On the basis of average seasonality indices (8%–37%) and their variability levels in the studied multiannual period, it is possible to compute small differences in the magnitude and dynamics of the changes in the seasonal structure of river discharge and precipitation in the studied multiannual period (Kożuchowski, Wibig 1988) and the total outflow from river catchments in the central Poland (Bartnik, Jokiel 2001), respectively. At the same time, the seasonal structure of river runoff, it is conjectured, continually constitutes a stable part of the river regime in Poland over the years as well as across geographic space. However, statistically significant trends (α=0.05) for the obtained seasonality indices of river discharge in the multiannual period was identified only for seven rivers. On the one hand, the data indicate that the smallest seasonality of river discharge is a characteristic of lake district rivers in northern Poland. On the other hand, by contrast, the best seasonal structure of river discharge is typical of Carpathian rivers distinguished by apluvial–nival river regime as well as a nival–pluvial river regime, respectively. At the same time, the data suggest that lowland rivers characterized by a nival well-developedriver regime also feature a better seasonal structure of river discharge. Correlation coefficients (r) between the seasonality indices of river discharge of the studied  rivers and the seasonality indices of river discharge of other rivers account for the fact that the seasonal structure of river discharge has changed almost simultaneously with rivers, which are situated close to one another. At the same time, the seasonal structure of river discharge has changed similarly to that of rivers, which drain the same regions of Poland.

The organisation and performance of research on geomorphological processes should be based on the methodological and methodical grounds of the empirical sciences. A well-organised observation in the form of geomorphological monitoring forms the grounds for the collection of observational data. Actually, it is not an option to consider the geoecological approach in the study of present-day geomorphological processes. This is a methodological must. Adopting a certain concept of the geoecosystem seems to be a good option in research on present-day geomorphological processes (Kostrzewski 1993). A geoecosystem is a unit of geographic space with varying size and structure. This geomorphological monitoring stands for the organisation and conduct of research on geomorphological processes (considered to be dominant) and relevant conditions (weather-related, hydrological) based on a standardised measurement system in order to obtain reliable data aimed to assess current research studies and plan future studies. Currently in Poland, geomorphological monitoring is conducted at scientific research sites; for example, at selected high schools and as part of the Integrated Environmental Monitoring Network in Poland, which is a subsystem of Poland’s National Environmental Monitoring Network. The data obtained from geomorphological monitoring sites, verified on the grounds of accepted statistical tests, forms the basis for the analysis and assessment of a given geoecosystem and its operation, taking into account observed climate changes and increasing human impact.

The paper discusses the spatial variability of the physical and chemical properties of river water in the upper Parsęta catchment (West Pomerania, Poland) during rising spring flows. Making use of data generated by 6 hydrochemical surveys, the studied waters were classified based on so-called fuzzy clustering methodology and attempts were made to interpret their spatial distribution. The obtained results show that during spring rising flows meteorological and hydrological conditions present in the period prior to sampling have a major impact on the water chemistry of the upper Parsęta catchment. These prior conditions significantly weaken the spatial variability of lithological and hydrogeological characteristics which is clearly perceptible in the case of low outflows.

Anthropogenic landforms in Magura National Park (Outer Flysch Carpathians, Beskid Niski Mountains)

Anthropogenic landforms are an important part of the landscape of Magura National Park. Human impact in this region for centuries has led to significant transformations of the local landscape and the local water cycle. The Lemko population, who had lived in the Beskid Niski Mountains until 1945 practiced animal husbandry, agriculture, forestry, rock material processing (stonemasonry), and extracted so-called wood oil. A rapid increase in population density led to intensive residential construction in the 19^th and 20^th centuries and increased human impact in the area. After the end of the Second World War in 1945, most Beskid Niski residents were moved to other parts of the country by the new communist government of Poland. Changes in land use then ensued. Mountain slopes that were previously used for agriculture as pastures and farmland were subjected to afforestation or gradually subjected to secondary plant succession. Despite a presently low population density and dispersed built-up sites in Magura National Park, anthropogenic forms are still very distinct as a result of several centuries of human activity across these lands. Due to their initial purpose, anthropogenic landforms can be distinguished as old residential and farm buildings (mainly stone foundation), remnants of agro-forestry industries, rock material extraction sites, religious sites, and military sites from the first and second world wars. These serve as the background for the effects of economic activity undertaken in this area after the Second World War. The most valuable and interesting anthropogenic landforms and areas were inventoried in this study. Especially important in this regard are concentrations of agricultural terraces in Nieznajowa, Ciechania, Żydowskie, and Rostajne. In the course of field research, evident effects of re-naturalization were observed, and consequently also the disappearance of many anthropogenic landforms in the study area. A full inventory of these sites could leads to the protection of selected sites associated with  anthropogenic geodiversity.

Spatial diversity of potential accessibility to main road network nodes in Łódź province

This paper presents an analysis of spatial differentiation of access to the road network in the Lodz region in Poland. The basic research unit here is the municipality. The population of each of the municipalities studied was established based on Poland’s Local Data Bank, run by the Central Statistical Office of Poland, for the end of 2014. The second part of the research consisted of road junctions and street intersections located in the study area. The study was conducted in two variants. Assuming the current layout of nodal transport network elements and future layout that will be produced via new investment, which is currently under GDDKiA development or at the planning stage. The entire research procedure was divided into three main stages. The first two consisted of the use of a two-step method of analysis of market areas. The first part of the two-step method is based on the definition of the impact of each node/intersection, assuming certain boundary values of automobile travel time. Each studied node/intersection was also assigned a weight corresponding to its importance in the regional road network. The second part of the study focused on municipalities and indicated the level of road access for each of them to the regional road network. The third and last stage of the study served to indicate, based on earlier results obtained, areas of the Lodz region that are moving distinctively upward or downward in terms of road accessibility. The significance of the spatial relationships within a certain radius was calculated using local spatial data on autocorrelation as proposed by Getis and Ord (1995).

Research has shown significant differences in the level of accessibility of citizens in individual municipalities to point elements of the road transport network. Despite ongoing and planned investments in this area, they highlight specific areas lagging behind in terms of user accessibility to the road network. At the same time, it is important to pay close attention to the potential of the four different areas of the province. An above-average level of availability of the municipalities constituting these geographic areas can serve as a competitive advantage in the area of potential locations for investment activity.

The concept of sustainable transportation. Tram transport in selected cities in Central and Western Europe

The purpose of the paper is to attempt to show that tram transportation fulfills the postulates of sustainable transportation to a greater extent than other means of municipal transportation. Its potential is connected with its small impact on the natural environment, high accessibility also for passengers with limited mobility and – last but not least – the opportunity to create urban space.

The paper analyzes tram investment completed after the year 2000 in two cities that already had this means of municipal transportation – the Polish city of Kraków and the Aystrian city of Linz – as well as two tram networks constructed from scratch, located in the Italian city of Florence and the French city of Nice. The first two cities have built several new tram lines, mainly connecting housing estates with city centers. In both cases, tunnel sections under a main railway station had to be opened. The latter two cities, by contrast, are examples of a return of trams to the streets from which they were removed in the 1950s.

These major investments show that the advantages of trams – especially in the context of their considerably smaller negative environmental impact and overall greater effectiveness compared with buses – are quite well known today to decision makers in different parts of Europe. However, knowledge on the opportunities that trams provide in order to help create urban space seems to be less widespread. What is more, the potential of trams to help create a sustainable municipal transportation system is not fully realized either. This fact applies in particular to Kraków where investment in the tram system is realized together with a large scale extension of the city’s road network. However, even the new tram systems of Florence and Nice do not seem to utilize all the opportunities that municipal tram transportation yields to help create a really sustainable transportation system in a so-called sustainable city.

Aging populations – a challenge for sustainable development

Demographic aging has become a global issue. In 2011 people aged 60 and over accounted for 11% of the world population. Moreover, it is estimated that by 2050 older persons will make up one fifth of the global population. However, until recently, the aging of the population was perceived mainly as a problem of the most developed countries. Today, a large share of the elderly population lives in the countries of the Global South. What is more, the pace of aging in this part of the world is supposed to be higher than elsewhere.

The increasing share of the elderly in the global population creates a number of challenges, which are even more important considering the fact, that older people are both beneficiaries of, and contributors to, what is frequently called sustainable development. The consequences of demographic aging are still perceived mainly as a threat to the development of countries and economies. However, it is being increasingly emphasized that the elderly should be treated as a resource rather than a burden. In addition, proper policy is more often being perceived as an opportunity to convert the barriers posed by the aging of the population into opportunities for further development. On the other hand, countries of the Global South, where demographic aging is a relatively recent issue, which remains largely unrecognized, but is a rapidly growing problem, are facing the problem of demographic changes outpacing local economic growth.

Activity of business environment institutions and regional authorities as determinants of regional development of the region of Navarra

The article describes the specifics of the socio-economic autonomous region of Navarra (Spain), and characterizes functioning of business environment institutions that influence region’s development. Location of the region and its rich history affects modern high economic position of the region against the background of the country. The article presentsexisting model of interaction between various regional institutions and presents implemented plans to modernize the regional economy. It was found that cooperation of business sector, academic and business institutions, together with local authorities may be a determinant which stimulates regional development.The article refers to particular activities of the regional administration resulting from the implementation of technological plans and development strategy until 2030. There are also references to economic sectors considered fundamental for the region as well as there is a presentation of the region’s contemporary position against Spain using a few selected economic indicators.