Winter Bird Assemblages in Rural and Urban Environments: A National Survey.

Urban development has a marked effect on the ecological and behavioural traits of many living organisms, including birds. In this paper, we analysed differences in the numbers of wintering birds between rural and urban areas in Poland. We also analysed species richness and abundance in relation to longitude, latitude, human population size, and landscape structure. All these parameters were analysed using modern statistical techniques incorporating species detectability. We counted birds in 156 squares (0.25 km2 each) in December 2012 and again in January 2013 in locations in and around 26 urban areas across Poland (in each urban area we surveyed 3 squares and 3 squares in nearby rural areas). The influence of twelve potential environmental variables on species abundance and richness was assessed with Generalized Linear Mixed Models, Principal Components and Detrended Correspondence Analyses. Totals of 72 bird species and 89,710 individual birds were recorded in this study. On average (± SE) 13.3 ± 0.3 species and 288 ± 14 individuals were recorded in each square in each survey. A formal comparison of rural and urban areas revealed that 27 species had a significant preference; 17 to rural areas and 10 to urban areas. Moreover, overall abundance in urban areas was more than double that of rural areas. There was almost a complete separation of rural and urban bird communities. Significantly more birds and more bird species were recorded in January compared to December. We conclude that differences between rural and urban areas in terms of winter conditions and the availability of resources are reflected in different bird communities in the two environments.

Urban and rural habitats differ in number and type of bird feeders and in bird species consuming supplementary food.

Bird feeding is one of the most widespread direct interactions between man and nature, and this has important social and environmental consequences. However, this activity can differ between rural and urban habitats, due to inter alia habitat structure, human behaviour and the composition of wintering bird communities. We counted birds in 156 squares (0.25 km(2) each) in December 2012 and again in January 2013 in locations in and around 26 towns and cities across Poland (in each urban area, we surveyed 3 squares and also 3 squares in nearby rural areas). At each count, we noted the number of bird feeders, the number of bird feeders with food, the type of feeders, additional food supplies potentially available for birds (bread offered by people, bins) and finally the birds themselves. In winter, urban and rural areas differ in the availability of food offered intentionally and unintentionally to birds by humans. Both types of food availability are higher in urban areas. Our findings suggest that different types of bird feeder support only those species specialized for that particular food type and this relationship is similar in urban and rural areas.

[Effect of mydriasis and accommodation on intraocular pressure and pigment release in patients with the pigment dispersion syndrome]. / Wplyw akomodacji i mydriazy na cisnienie wewnatrzgalkowe i uwalnianie barwnika u chorych z zespolem rozproszonego barwnika.

PURPOSE: To determine if mydriasis and accommodation affect intraocular pressure (IOP) and pigment release in patients with the pigment dispersion syndrome (PDS). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Seventeen patients (34 eyes) diagnosed with PDS were included in the study (10 men and 7 women). Tonometry was performed on all patients before, and at 1 and 2 hours after mydriasis and before, and at 1 and 2 hours after sustained reading. The statistical analysis was performed using the paired T-test. RESULTS: In both tests the differences in intraocular pressure values were not statistically significant. Pigment liberation occurred in 11.8% of patients after mydriasis but was not associated with an increase in IOP. CONCLUSION: Accommodation during sustained reading did not cause significant pigment release or an IOP rise.

[Application of frequency doubling technology perimetry in the diagnosis of glaucoma]. / Zastosowanie perymetrii zdwojonej czestotliwosci w diagnostyce jaskry.

PURPOSE: Evaluation of the frequency doubling technology perimetry in the detection of an early glaucomatous field loss. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty-two patients (40 eyes), who were diagnosed with ocular hypertension were enrolled in the study. The diagnosis was made based on slit lamp examination, 3 measurements of intraocular pressure (IOP) over 21 mmHg. Standard perimetry was performed with Humphrey perimeter and SITA program (30-2 threshold). Then, all patients underwent FDT perimetry with 30-2 threshold program. Patients, who had any changes in FDT visual field had to repeat the test, to confirm the results. RESULTS: Out of 40 eyes with the normal white on white perimetry 5 eyes (5 patients) presented defects in FDT perimetry. They had optic disc c/d asymmetry > 0.1 and the nerve fiber layer defects corresponding to the visual field defects in FDT perimetry. CONCLUSION: Frequency Doubling Technology perimetry may be useful as a supplemental method of the visual field evaluation, particularly in patients where standard perimetry does not show any functional damage.