Reproduction strategies of the silver birch (Betula pendula Roth) at post-industrial sites.

The study aimed to evaluate the parameters of reproductive traits, specimens' fertility and reproductive efficiency observed in Betula pendula populations growing at different types of sites (zinc-lead heaps, coal mine heaps and unpolluted site). The leaf biomass and the biometric characteristics of inflorescences and fructifications were identified. Moreover, the biometric parameters of B. pendula seedlings were evaluated for examined sites. Seed-originated trees mostly of age 40 were randomly selected and from each tree, a branches from 1.70 m height and orientation N-S, W-E to the cardinal points of the stem were chosen. In the laboratory, selected soil parameters, the viability of pollen and the seeding value of seeds were analysed. According to the multidimensional statistical analysis the populations of B. pendula growing on post-industrial wastelands represent different morphotypes with lower values of almost all the reproductive traits, compared to the unpolluted birch population. Such traits as the male:female catkin number ratio and the non-embryo seed number were positively correlated with the heavy metal content at the zinc-lead heaps; at the same time these traits were negatively correlated with soil fertility. The fully developed seed number and the mature female catkin number were strongly correlated with the available potassium and phosphorus soil content but also with the leaf number on the generative shoots. The specimens of birch growing in these three habitats did not develop a universal reproductive strategy. Some differences in fecundity, the condition of seeds and the patterns of seed germination were found. The resulting seedling survival is determined by the plasticity of biometric traits, sheltered places for germination, etc. Seedlings that originated from heaps (local gene resources) are more suitable for use in the reclamation of large amounts of waste.

Assessment of heavy metal pollution in surface soils and plant material in the post-industrial city of Katowice, Poland.

This investigation was undertaken to assess the level of environment pollution by biological monitoring. The leaves and bark of popular ornamental trees Acer pseudoplatanus L. and Acer platanoides L. and soil from the sampling sites were used to perform heavy metals pollution monitoring in urban areas with different pollution sources, as well to investigate the suitability of the leaves and bark as bioindicators of Pb, Zn, Cd and Cu pollution. Plant samples were collected at nine locations classified into three pollution groups based on metal content in the soils. The chosen pollution indices were used to assess the level of contamination according to background values. Soils in the Katowice area are found to be relatively heavily contaminated with Pb, Zn and Cd. Both of the maple tree species did not statistically differ in terms of the investigated elements' concentration in leaves or bark. Only bark samples reflected the pollution level, showing differences between the sampling points, and therefore are recommended for biomonitoring purposes.

The reproductive potential of the spiders Agelena labyrinthica and Xerolycosa nemoralis from areas contaminated with metals.

Spiders successfully colonize industrially contaminated environments and maintain relatively stable populations. The aim of this study was to explain the reproductive strategies of two spider species, Xerolycosa nemoralis (an actively hunting, sit-and-pursue predator) and Agelena labyrinthica (a web-building, sit-and-wait predator), between contaminated and uncontaminated sites. Spiders were collected from a reference site (Pilica) and two contaminated sites (Olkusz and Welnowiec). The amount of energy allocated to the eggs and the number of eggs and hatchlings as well as the hatching success were compared. Wolf spiders from the contaminated sites produced fewer but relatively energy-rich eggs, whereas web-building spiders invested their energy in the production of a higher number of less energy-rich eggs. The comparisons of the hatching percentages suggested that in the contaminated habitats, X. nemoralis achieve a hatching success similar to or higher than that of the reference population at Pilica. A. labyrinthica in the contaminated sites invested a larger amount of energy in eggs than at the reference site, but the hatching success found for this species in the contaminated areas was lower than that found at the reference site.

Quantitative immunodetection of metallothioneins in relation to metals concentration in spiders from variously polluted areas.

Spiders inhabiting post industrial environments, such as waste heaps or ore-bearing areas, are exposed to high concentrations of metals, accumulated in the body of their prey and transferred along food chains. Therefore spiders are pressed to develop metal-neutralization strategies. Low-molecular, multifunction proteins: metallothioneins (MTs), often postulated as biomarkers of metal exposure, are known to bind metals and thus protect organisms against their toxic effects. Yet the proteins are still not well recognized in spiders. The aim of this study was to assess, by immunodetection method, ELISA, the concentration of metallothioneins in adult females of three web building spider species: Araneus diadematus (Araneidae), Agelena labyrinthica (Agelenidae) and Linyphia triangularis (Linyphiidae) from three variously polluted areas in southern Poland: Olkusz, ore-bearing post industrial site; Katowice-WeLnowiec: post metallurgic waste heap, Pilica: the reference, rural, area. The concentration of metallothioneins has been analyzed in relation to the metal concentration in spiders body. The study gives the evidence that metallothioneins are reliably detectable by means of ELISA technique. The analysis of results obtained shows a strong species-dependence of the MTs level. Positive correlations between MTs concentration and metal body burden (mainly Zn and Pb) were found. This suggests that the proteins play an important role in the neutralization and regulation of metal ions in spiders. The same correlation indicate the possibility to consider MTs in spiders as biomarkers of metal exposure and effects. However, the species specificity as well as metal characteristics should be taken under account.

The seeds quality of Betula pndula Roth and Betula oscura Kotula from semi-natural and anthropogenic habitats.

This research presents the results of the study of seeds quality of two Polish native species of the genus Betula L. (Betula pendula Roth and Betula obscura Kotula), growing on the semi-natural (low human activities) and anthropogenic (high human activities) habitats. In this study the generative phase has been investigated to find differences between studied taxa and try to find out why population of B. obscura is very rare. In this research we have checked the quality of the seeds from B. obscura and B. pendula and test the survival of seedlings sowed into the ground researched in laboratory conditions. Results of germination capacity shown significant difference between trees from the anthropogenic and semi-natural sites; the energy capacity indicated significant difference between trees: B. pendula and B. obscura from all study areas. Mixed-model ANOVA/MANOVA for seedlings growth showed statistically important effects of factors (species, area, months). The results show that B. obscura grows better on the anthropogenic habitats than B. pendula, but the latter had more of the fully developed seeds and higher germination and seeds energy capacity.