Abstract: Forests provide a variety of ecosystem services that play different roles for people depending on their lifestyles, views or places of residence. The purpose of this study was to determine the preferences of residents of the Warsaw metropolitan area for ecosystem services provided by forests, particularly cultural ecosystem services related to recreation and leisure in forested areas. The study area was forests around the city of Warsaw, the capital of Poland, located in the central part of the country. The study used an online based survey (CAWI) which was conducted in November 2021 on a representative sample of 1,000 adult residents of the Warsaw metropolitan area. The survey consisted of five demographic questions and 12 closed−ended questions with different category choices and one open−ended question on preferences for accessibility to forest areas, recreation in the forest, and evaluation of activities carried out by the State Forests. The results of the survey indicate that, regardless of the season, most respondents enjoy forest areas around Warsaw. The fewest amount of respondents show a preference for recreation in forests in winter. Respondents most often visit forest areas between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. For respondents, it is important to have contact with nature in forest areas near or not far from where they live where they can relax and contemplate nature. Most of the indicated ecosystem services were highly rated by respondents. The results of the study shows that in highly urbanized areas regulating and cultural services are more important for the inhabitants than provisioning. This suggests that the ability to provide these services must be taken into account when planning forest management.
Key words: city, forest, recreation, rest, survey

Abstract: In this study, a total of 23 geophyte plant species from 8 families were collected and identified in the Karabük – Yenice Forests as well as Kavakli and Citdere Nature Reserve areas between 2014−2016. The floral region of 56.5% of the plant species was not defined, 39.3% were from the European−Siberian region and 4.34% were from the Mediterranean floral region which had the lowest rate among them. The slope, soil moisture, temperature and solar radiation amount in the areas where geophyte species settled were measured. It was observed that the temperature decreased and the amount of solar radiation increased in the Yenice Forest until the end of the spring season. Examining life forms in natural old growth forest types can reveal aspects to ecosystem management connections. This suggests that geophytes’ preference for different forests is also related to changes in the angle of light incidence. While the increase in slope, especially in Quercus−Fagus and pure Fagus forest areas, negatively affects the species, in Fagus-Abies mixed areas geophytes show that they are strong in competition in more sloping areas. Identification of the demands of the geophyte species found in these areas is helpful in understanding and developing solutions for the ecological problems faced in natural forest lands. Depending on whether the forests are deciduous or evergreen, it allows for the appropriate timing for certain strategies such as flowering, seed formation or nutrient storage of geophyte flora, resulting in the ‘cycle timing’ of shrubs. The maximum effects on the settlement of geophytes on the forest floor are provided by slope, soil moisture and aspect, respectively. Northern slopes differ from southern slopes as a result of the change in radiation intensity. For this reason, the vegetative period depends on factors such as temperature, soil moisture and soil accumulation. This also causes changes in soil moisture, microbial activity and nitrogen mineralization. Slope, soil moisture and aspect were found to be the most significant factors by CCA analysis. In this context, control of human interventions in forest ecosystems, protection, monitoring, detection of rare and endemic species and various management planning policies should be carried out in a manner that primarily aims to protect species.
Key words: geophyte, hysterantous type, life form, solar radiation time

Abstract: This article is part of the search for alternatives to the use of pesticides (especially elicitors of resistance) within the context of integrated pest management (IPM). For this reason, resistance triggers based on potassium phosphite were used in the form of oak stem spraying. The aim of the study was to assess the influence of phosphites applied as a commercial product called Kalex. The changes in the immediate environment and the development of root systems and tree crowns (based on defoliation and health indicators) were assessed. The treatment of oak stems with potassium phosphite had no negative effects on the forest environment. The acidity (pH) of the soil did not change nor did the content of Mg and Ca. Phosphorus and potassium from the treatments were taken up by the living part of the bark and transported to the fine roots. However, some of the treatments certainly entered the soil via the logs when it rained. Thus, these elements also reached the vicinity of the roots, where they were present in larger quantities. As a result of leaf loss (defoliation), the crowns of the control trees were more thinned out than those of the trees treated with the phosphite preparation. Over several years, this led to a decrease in the health of the control trees, i.e. a change in the crown architecture (deformation due to the formation of short shoots) expressed in vitality grades. The calculated synthetic damage index (Syn), which takes into account the degree of defoliation and health, was also higher in the control trees than in the treated trees indicating the effectiveness of the treatment with the commercial product Kalex. The fine roots of the treated oaks had more favourable development parameters than the corresponding roots of the control trees especially in terms of length, number and surface area. This increased the ability of the treated oaks to take up the water needed to increase photosynthetic efficiency in order to feed the roots. However, in a situation of extreme drought in 2015 resulted in the death of the fine roots of the oaks (independent of the treatment) and continued the following year. Only in the 2017 season, when soil moisture improved significantly, did the oaks return to the state of root development before the severe drought. As a result, the percentage of dying trees in the treated tree group was statistically lower than in the control group. The treated oaks (especially those that were up to 30% defoliated) survived better during the five−year observation period (2013−2017) and were able to effectively absorb nutrients and water from the soil due to the better condition of their fine roots which was reflected in better shoot development in the crowns (assessed by defoliation, vigour and Syn−index).
Key words: defoliation, integrated pest management, root systems, Syn−index, vitality

Abstract: This study provides an analysis of the importance of non−monetary incentives for the staff of the Antonin Forest District and compares them with monetary factors. The analysis was based on a survey conducted among the staff of the Antonin Forest District. The results were analysed according to the employees’ sex, age, education and place of work. The general assumptions of the survey methodology were applied and adapted to the working conditions in the forest district. The respondents’ responses were rated with an ordinal, bipolar scale. The respondents deter− mined the motivational importance of selected factors on a six−point Likert scale. Two research areas were distinguished in the analysis of the effect of motivational factors on employees: material non−monetary incentives and non−material non−monetary incentives. Apart from the non−material non−monetary incentives, salary−related factors were also taken into account to make a comparison. The analysis of the groups of non−material non−monetary incentives showed that the employees were mostly motivated by employment security and safety (IMI=4.38), relations with co−workers (IMI=4.26), conditions and specificity of the workplace (IMI=4.10), the staff management method (IMI=4.07), and working time (IMI=4.05). The forest district employees were motivated to a medium extent by professional development opportunities and prestige (3.13
IMI
3.62). Non−business relations were the least important factors affecting the motivation of the employees of the Antonin Forest District (IMI=1.99). The groups of material non−monetary incentives had medium or small influence on the motivation of the employees (2.49
IMI
3.29). The analysis showed that men were more influenced by non−monetary incentives than women (except for promotion, supervisor’s recognition, better working conditions and good relations with co−workers). Salaries were equally important for both men and women. The analysis of the effect of the non−monetary incentives on the employees of the forest district according to their age showed diversification. This group of incentives affected young people employed for a short time to a greater extent. The workplace did not cause significant differences in the intensity of the influence of factors related to occupational safety, conditions and specificity of the workplace, the method of managing employees and relations with co−workers (difference in IMI=±0.3). The research analysis revealed high diversity in the importance of incentives motivating employees. A considerable part of the incentives under analysis significantly influenced the employees’ motivation. The intensity of their influence depended on the employees’ sex, age, education and workplace.
Key words: incentives, Likert scale, motivation, non−monetary motivation, staff management, survey research, work behaviour

Abstract: Forest fires are a widespread occurrence in ecosystems worldwide, impacting both vegetation and soil. The effects of forest fires, as well as prescribed fires, on forest soil are complex, influencing soil organic matter, macro and micro−nutrients, and physical properties such as texture, colour, pH, and bulk density, along with soil biota. The magnitude of the impact on forest soil depends on factors such as fire intensity, fuel load, and soil moisture. The severity and frequency of fire determine whether it is beneficial or harmful to the soil. Low−intensity fires can enhance plant available nutrients through the combustion of litter and soil organic matter, promoting rapid growth of herbaceous plants and increased nutrient storage. Conversely, high intensity fires can lead to complete loss of soil organic matter, volatilization of vital elements (N, P, S, K), and microbial death. Additionally, intense forest fires generate hydrophobic organic compounds that result in water−repellent soils. Forest fires also have long−term effects on forest soil. This paper aims to review the impacts of forest fires on various soil properties crucial for maintaining a healthy ecosystem.
Key words: abiotic components, biotic, forest fires, soil exploring

Abstract: The work detailed here relates to a concept for a new forest model of the ‘Desired Forest’; as well as its use in the development of model age structures for Forest Management Unit (FMUs) in relation to the six main forest−forming tree species of Poland, i.e. pine, spruce, birch, oak, beech and alder; with account taken of management method (‘clear−cutting’ v ‘shelterwood’), as well as cutting ages and adopted regeneration periods. Model age structures offer a basis upon which to determine desired sizes of initial cuts whose consistent application will lead to achievement of the desired (model) age structure of FMUs in the long run. The model of the ‘Desired Forest’ is based on a holistic approach by which to investigate the impacts on a forest of all environmental factors that can have determinations made for them. Data on the probability of survival of stands within different age classes were utilized to develop model structures representing stand age−class distributions, and to determine the area of initial cuts necessary for the ‘desired’ model structure to be maintained. A holistic approach was adopted, which encompassed both survival related to natural disturbance factors and human−induced survival, considering forest harvesting or decisions not to harvest. Furthermore, the probability of a stand transitioning from group A after regeneration to the corresponding group B age class was used to characterize the age classes in the shelterwood FMUs. Transitions and survival rates offered a basis for the development of model age structures for different shelterwood practices (uniform, group, and stepwise), as well as two scenarios regarding the length of regeneration periods: 10 years or more than 10 years. Stands in the regeneration class were described in two ways: by the age (age class) of the mature tree layer and the age of the regeneration layer. In the clear−cutting FMUs, the share of the area of stands of younger age classes was the largest, albeit decreasing gradually; while age classes older than the cutting age were represented to the most limited extent. Irrespective of the dominant species in the FMU, there was a group of stands that exceeded the assumed cutting age. In the shelterwood FMUs, the structure by area for age classes depended on the adopted cutting age and on the assumed regeneration period. The longer the regeneration period, the smaller the fraction of stands accounted for by trees in the youngest age classes.
Key words: optimisation, planning, pine, sustainability, yield