New localities of Chamonixia caespitosa (hypogeous Boletaceae) in Central Europe

Chamonixia caespitosa Rolland, has been recently found in Poland for the first time after 1945. The basidiocarps, partially exposed from the humus layer, were found in two localities: in the spruce forest in the Polish Tatra Mts., at the elevation of 1540 m a.s.l., and in the mixed forest with spruce and fir in the Beskid Niski Mts. at the elevation of app. 400 m a.s.l. The description of the Polish specimens generally agrees with descriptions of the specimens found in other Central European countries. The roundish to tuberculate basidiocarps were characterized by the presence of highly reduced stipe, whitish colour of the peridium changing rapidly to blue after exposure to air, small, complete or incomplete columella and brown, spongy gleba. Typically 4-spored basidia were present which produced ellipsoid, brown spores with the ornamentation in the form of rough, interconnected ridges. Taxonomic position, ecology and chorology of the species, the ontogeny of basidiocarps and description of ectomycorrhizae are summarized in the paper.

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New Records of Rare Hypogeous Fungi from Poland (Central Europe)

Acta Mycologica ◽

10.5586/am.5529 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 55 (2) ◽

Author(s):

Piotr Mleczko ◽

Maciej Kozak ◽

Filip Karpowicz

Keyword(s):

Central Europe ◽

Mixed Forest ◽

Abies Alba ◽

Wide Distribution ◽

Western Carpathians ◽

High Mountain ◽

Hypogeous Fungi ◽

Eastern Carpathians ◽

New Localities ◽

Tatra Mts

Investigations carried out in recent years have provided new data on the localities of some rare hypogeous fungi in Central Europe. In this study, we present new localities of Leucangium carthusianum, Melanogaster luteus, and Rhizopogon melanogastroides, two of which are new for Poland. Sporocarps of L. carthusianum were found in seven new localities in mixed and coniferous forests in the Western Carpathians as well as in Sudetes. In Poland, the species was also recorded in a mixed forest in the Kraków-Częstochowa Upland. Fir, Abies alba, accompanied the fungus in almost all known localities. Three localities of M. luteus were found in the Polish Western and Eastern Carpathians in Alnus incana communities mostly associated with streams. Knowledge of the distribution of this species in Europe is incomplete due to the complicated taxonomic history; nevertheless, it is regarded as rare, despite its wide distribution. One new locality of R. melanogastroides recorded in the Tatra Mts, Western Carpathians, is the fourth known to date. This species is mostly associated with Pinus mugo in high mountain localities (the Alps, the Tatra Mts). In this study, detailed descriptions and illustrations of the macro- and micromorphological features of the species are provided.

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Revisiting the Environmental Kuznets Curve Hypothesis: A Case of Central Europe

Energies ◽

10.3390/en14123415 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 (12) ◽

pp. 3415

Author(s):

Bartosz Jóźwik ◽

Antonina-Victoria Gavryshkiv ◽

Phouphet Kyophilavong ◽

Lech Euzebiusz Gruszecki

Keyword(s):

Economic Growth ◽

Co2 Emissions ◽

Central Europe ◽

Environmental Kuznets Curve ◽

European Countries ◽

Kuznets Curve ◽

The European Union ◽

Ekc Hypothesis ◽

Central European ◽

Long Run

The rapid economic growth observed in Central European countries in the last thirty years has been the result of profound political changes and economic liberalization. This growth is partly connected with reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. However, the problem of CO2 emissions seems to remain unresolved. The aim of this paper is to test whether the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) hypothesis holds true for Central European countries in an annual sample data that covers 1995–2016 in most countries. We examine cointegration by applying the Autoregressive Distributed Lag bound testing. This is the first study examining the relationship between CO2 emissions and economic growth in individual Central European countries from a long-run perspective, which allows the results to be compared. We confirmed the cointegration, but our estimates confirmed the EKC hypothesis only in Poland. It should also be noted that in all nine countries, energy consumption leads to increased CO2 emissions. The long-run elasticity ranges between 1.5 in Bulgaria and 2.0 in Croatia. We observed exceptionally low long-run elasticity in Estonia (0.49). Our findings suggest that to solve the environmental degradation problem in Central Europe, it is necessary to individualize the policies implemented in the European Union.

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Contribution of avoidable causes of death to premature mortality in Poland and selected European countries

Studia Demograficzne ◽

10.33119/sd.2020.2.4 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Bogdan Wojtyniak ◽

Jakub Stokwiszewski

Keyword(s):

Life Expectancy ◽

Central Europe ◽

Causes Of Death ◽

Average Rate ◽

Premature Mortality ◽

European Countries ◽

Annual Percent Change ◽

Death Rates ◽

Central European ◽

The Difference

Our study, availing the new, agreed by the OECD and Eurostat, lists of preventable and treatable causes of death, seeks to quantify the contribution of avoidable causes to premature mortality and its dynamics in Poland and Central European countries – Czechia, Hungary, Lithuania and Slovenia, in comparison with Sweden serving as a benchmark country in 1999–2017. We calculated age standardised death rates for the broad groups of avoidable causes and more specific ones, which comprised preventable and treatable cancer and diseases of the circulatory system (DCS), preventable injuries and alcohol-related diseases. Deaths from not avoidable causes were also analysed. The analysis of time trends in the death rates and calculation of the Average Annual Percent Change (AAPC) for the overall trend were performed with joint-point models. The contribution of changes in mortality from avoidable causes to increase life expectancy during 1999–2017 and contribution of the difference in mortality from these causes to the difference in life expectancy between five countries and Sweden were based on the decomposition of temporary life expectancy between birth and age 75 [e(0-75)]. For the calculation of life expectancy, we used the classic Chiang method and the decomposition of life expectancy by the death causes and age was conducted with the Arriaga method. The AAPC of death rates from avoidable causes in 1999–2017 was similar in all the countries but Lithuania, where the decline started later. The decline in the death rates from not avoidable causes is much slower than the rates from avoidable causes. Mortality from treatable causes was decreasing faster than from preventable causes in most populations. In 1999–2017, the average rate of mortality decline for preventable cancer was greater among men than among women, while for treatable cancer the sex-related differences were much smaller and in favour of women. As for preventable and treatable death from DCS, their decrease was faster among women than men in all the countries but Sweden. Improvements in mortality from causes that could be avoided through prevention or treatment made substantial positive contributions to the overall change in life expectancy in all the countries. The differences in temporary life expectancy e(0-75) between the analysed Central European countries and Sweden were much smaller in 2017 than in 1999, due to the reduction of the gap in mortality from avoidable causes. Our results show that among men, and to a lesser extent among women, mortality from preventable causes contributes more than mortality from causes that can be effectively treated to shorter life expectancy in the countries of Central Europe than in Sweden. This indicates that in reducing the health gap between the inhabitants of Central Europe and Western Europe, the healthcare system should consider disease prevention even to a greater extent than just treating them.

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Prunus serotina (black cherry).

10.1079/fc.44360.20210113967 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

André Terwei

Keyword(s):

Central Europe ◽

Prunus Serotina ◽

European Countries ◽

Black Cherry ◽

Native Range ◽

Central European ◽

Eastern Usa ◽

Temperate Climates

Abstract P. serotina is a deciduous, single-stemmed tree, often medium- to large-sized, up 38 m in height and over 1.2 m or more in dbh in its native range in the eastern USA, though south-western varieties are much smaller. However, where introduced in Central Europe, P. serotina is mostly a shrub, only rarely a tree up to 20 m in height. Black cherry was among the first American trees to be cultivated as an ornamental in European gardens, introduced to England in 1629. In many places it has become naturalized and appears to be highly invasive. The invasive behaviour of this species in several northern and central European countries should be taken into account when considering future introductions to moist, temperate climates.

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Central European defence cooperation will increase

Emerald Expert Briefings ◽

10.1108/oxan-db213573 ◽

2016 ◽

Keyword(s):

Central Europe ◽

European Perspective ◽

Content Type ◽

Central European ◽

Eu Integration ◽

The Us ◽

Angela Merkel ◽

The Creation ◽

Defence Cooperation ◽

First Time

Subject The Central European perspective on greater EU cooperation in defence. Significance The proposal on August 26 by German Chancellor Angela Merkel and the leaders of the Central European 'Visegrad Four' (V4) countries for the creation of a European army was the first time such a clarion call had been made collectively by EU leaders, as opposed to the more modest idea of developing European defence cooperation and capability. It is surprising that Poland was part of the initiative, given its commitment to NATO and trans-Atlantic relations, which are often taken as a reason to oppose further EU integration. Impacts Brexit has brought forth a variety of proposals to strengthen the EU's military arm. However, political and operational challenges mean that neither deeper cooperation nor a full EU army will be achieved easily, if ever. Insecurity about Russia and the US NATO commitment to Central Europe underlie the call, but cannot be meaningfully addressed soon. Poland will remain staunchly pro-NATO but must prepare for defence alternatives that can include EU forces.

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First record of the expansive harvestmen Leiobunum sp. A (Arachnida: Opiliones) in Poland

Fragmenta Faunistica ◽

10.3161/00159301ff2017.60.2.113 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 60 (2) ◽

pp. 113-118

Author(s):

Robert ROZWAŁKA ◽

◽

Przemysław ŻURAWLEW ◽

Tomasz RUTKOWSKI ◽

Keyword(s):

The Netherlands ◽

21St Century ◽

First Record ◽

European Countries ◽

Female Genitalia ◽

Central European ◽

First Report ◽

First Time

The invasive harvestmen Leiobunum sp. A (Arachnida: Opiliones) spread rapidly across Europe. Since the first report from the Netherlands at the beginning of the 21st century its known range covers most of the western and central European countries, reaching Berlin in the East. In this note we report for the first time two new sites from Poland which move its range 230 and 300 km eastward, respectively. It was found in Chocz near Pleszew and Dąbrówka near Poznań (Wielkopolska Lowland). Chocz is now easternmost site of this species in Europe. Morphological measurements and drawings are given. Female genitalia are described for the first time.

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An Annotated And Illustrated Catalogue Of Polypores (Agaricomycetes) Of The Białowieża Forest (NE Poland)

Polish Botanical Journal ◽

10.1515/pbj-2015-0034 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 60 (2) ◽

pp. 217-292 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Dariusz Karasiński ◽

Marek Wołkowycki

Keyword(s):

National Park ◽

Mixed Forest ◽

Field Studies ◽

Białowieża Forest ◽

Ne Poland ◽

New Localities ◽

Białowieża National Park ◽

Voucher Specimens ◽

Annotated Catalogue ◽

First Time

AbstractThe Białowieża Forest (BF) is one of the best-preserved lowland deciduous and mixed forest complexes in Europe, rich in diverse fungi. This paper summarizes what is known about the poroid fungi of the Polish part of the Białowieża Forest, based on literature data, a re-examination of herbarium materials, and the authors’ studies from 1990–2014. An annotated catalogue of polypores recorded in the forest is presented, including 80 genera with 210 species. All literature and herbarium records are enumerated, and 160 species are illustrated with color pictures. Fourteen species previously reported in the literature have uncertain status because they lack voucher specimens and were not confirmed in recent field studies. Antrodiella subradula (Pilát) Niemelä & Miettinen, previously known from Asia, is reported for the first time from Europe. Fourteen species are newly reported from the Białowieża Forest (mainly from Białowieża National Park), including 8 species with first records in Poland (Antrodia hyalina Spirin, Miettinen & Kotir., Antrodia infirma Renvall & Niemelä, Antrodiella subradula, Junghuhnia fimbriatella (Peck) Ryvarden, Postia folliculocystidiata (Kotl. & Vampola) Niemelä & Vampola, Postia minusculoides (Pilát ex Pilát) Boulet, Skeletocutis chrysella Niemelä, Skeletocutis papyracea A. David), and 6 species reported previously from other localities in Poland [Antrodiella faginea Vampola & Pouzar, Dichomitus campestris (Quél.) Domański & Orlicz, Loweomyces fractipes (Berk. & M. A. Curtis) Jülich, Oxyporus latemarginatus (Durieu & Mont.) Donk, Perenniporia narymica (Pilát) Pouzar, Phellinus nigricans (Fr.) P. Karst.]. Several very rare European polypores already reported from the Białowieża Forest in the 20th century, such as Antrodia albobrunnea (Romell) Ryvarden, Antrodiella foliaceodentata (Nikol.) Gilb. & Ryvarden, Buglossoporus pulvinus (Pers.) Donk, Dichomitus albidofuscus (Domański) Domański and Gelatoporia subvermispora (Pilát) Niemelä, were found at new localities, confirming their continuous occurrence in this forest.

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The Environmental Situation in the Visegrad Region: Neglect and Insufficient Cooperation in the Face of Serious Environmental Threats

Politics in Central Europe ◽

10.2478/pce-2018-0009 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 14 (2) ◽

pp. 57-73 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Šárka Waisová

Keyword(s):

Central Europe ◽

Environmental Governance ◽

Environmental Problems ◽

Physical Geography ◽

European Countries ◽

Environmental Cooperation ◽

Central European ◽

Environmental Threats ◽

Environmental Situation ◽

The Face

Abstract Only a few studies have covered environmental problems in Central Europe and analysed environmental governance in Central European countries and no study has considered environmental cooperation in this region. The goal of the article is to map and analyse the environmental situation in Central Europe, paying attention to Central Europeans’ perceptions about the environment, key environmental problems and the policy tools these countries plan to use to face them. For this purpose, I concentrate mainly on the Visegrad Four (V4) countries, which represent the core of Central Europe. My findings suggest that the most active and successful environmental cooperation is taking place in an area that includes the V4 countries, their neighbours and other European countries. The EU offers the most important framework to support and develop this environmental cooperation. My assessment of the environmental situation in the V4 region shows that environmental cooperation among the V4 countries cannot be expected and would only have limited value. Because of their geopolitical situation and physical geography, Poland and Hungary in particular are linked to environmental issues that go beyond Central Europe and call for far wider environmental action. Dealing with environmental threats successfully and protecting the Central European environment efficiently cannot be tasks for the V4 group alone. Clearly we require a cooperative and cross‑border Europe‑wide approach.

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Influencing Factors of the Informal Investment in Central Europe

Economics and Business ◽

10.2478/eb-2020-0006 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 34 (1) ◽

pp. 78-91

Author(s):

Lehel Györfy ◽

Szilárd Madaras

Keyword(s):

Influencing Factors ◽

Central Europe ◽

Household Income ◽

European Countries ◽

Full Time ◽

Global Entrepreneurship Monitor ◽

Central European ◽

Informal Investment ◽

Entrepreneurial Skills ◽

Global Entrepreneurship

AbstractThis paper examines the influencing factors of becoming informal investors in two groups of Central European countries: the innovation-driven (Estonia, Latvia, Slovenia and Slovakia) and efficiency-driven economies (Croatia, Hungary, Lithuania, Poland and Romania), based on the GEM (Global Entrepreneurship Monitor) database from 2014. According to the results, in the studied innovation-driven economies of Central Europe the probability of becoming an informal investor is higher for those, who know other entrepreneurs, who are confident in their own entrepreneurial skills, who are in the higher percentile of the household income, who are older and male. The results also suggest that in the studied efficiency-driven economies of Central Europe the probability of becoming an informal investor is higher for those who are confident in the own entrepreneurial skills, who know other entrepreneurs, who are in the higher percentile of the household income, who are older and male. The probability is decreased, if somebody is employed full-time. The study emphasises similarities instead of differences regarding the analysed aspect between the two groups of countries.

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Trichia sordida (Trichiaceae) – nowy dla Polski i Karpat gatunek śluzowca przyśnieżnego znaleziony w Tatrach

Fragmenta Floristica et Geobotanica Polonica ◽

10.35535/ffgp-2020-0021 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 747-751

Author(s):

Anna Ronikier ◽

Paulina Janik

Keyword(s):

Snow Cover ◽

Northern Hemisphere ◽

Spruce Forest ◽

Mountainous Areas ◽

Winter Snow ◽

Tatra Mts ◽

First Time ◽

Eleven Species

Trichia sordida Johannesen represents the ecological guild of nivicolous myxomycetes, which occurs in mountainous areas at the edge of melting winter snow cover. It is not very common in the Northern Hemisphere and has never been reported from Poland. In the spring of 2020, two specimens of it were found in the Tatra Mts, in spruce forest close to the Polana Upłaz meadow on the Ciemniak massif (49°15′05.0″N, 19°52′46.4″E; Figs 1, 2). Together with the newly reported species the list of nivicolous myxomycetes reported from the Tatra Mts numbers eleven species. Trichia sordida is also reported for the first time for the entire Carpathian range.

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