Socio-Economic and Spatial Characteristics of Wielkopolski National Park: Application of the Hedonic Pricing Method

The study aimed to determine the influence of the proximity of Wielkopolski National Park (WNP) on the value of dwelling units in Mosina municipality. The research was conducted based on 1182 residential property transactions in the period from 2014 to 2018. The input data were subjected to spatial and statistical analysis. The main part of the analysis was performed with the use of the hedonic price method (HPM)—WLS (weighted least squares). The use of statistical tools made it possible to find undeniable evidence that the housing prices are positively related to the presence of Wielkopolski National Park, which has also been confirmed by previous research works conducted in other parts of the world.

Contribution to Knowledge of Mycobiota of the Wielkopolski National Park (W Poland), Part 2

Wielkopolski National Park is a protected area located in central Wielkopolska, near Poznań City, and is an important refuge to numerous valuable species of plants, fungi, and animals. Through 2019, the project to recognize and catalog the macromycetes of this Park was continued. The current paper presents the results of these studies in the form of an annotated list of the recorded species. One hundred and eighty-nine taxa new for Wielkopolski National Park have been identified. Among these, nine are new to Poland (<em>Acanthophysellum </em><em>lividocoeruleum</em>, <em>Agaricus moellerianus</em>, <em>Callistosporium luteo-olivaceum</em>, <em>Entoloma terreum</em>, <em>Flammulina populicola</em>, <em>Leucoagaricus sublittoralis</em>, <em>Marasmius anomalus </em>var. <em>microsporus</em>, <em>Phaeohelotium rufescens</em>, and <em>Tulasnella danica</em>). The current number of fungal taxa found in this park is 1,122.

Valuing Protected Areas: Socioeconomic Determinants of the Willingness to Pay for the National Park

The study aimed at estimating the variability of perception of the Wielkopolski National Park (WNP) value among different groups of society. The study was based on questionnaires conducted in 2018. Analyses were carried out on the basis of 1350 records. The results of the survey were subjected to statistical analysis using the canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) and the analysis of variance. The study revealed that the relation with the natural environment significantly differs among various groups of society. The application of diverse analytical tools in relation to the survey data allowed for the quantification of that diversity. The relationship between the economic situation of respondents and their willingness to pay for nature conservation is non-linear.

Local distribution pattern of Virga pilosa (L.) Hill. (Dipsacaceae) as an effect of its life and dispersal strategy

A new locality of regionally alien and rare Virga pilosa was recorded outside the compact range of the species in the Wielkopolski National Park, midwestern Poland. It probably appeared as a result of unintentional anthropochory. Local distribution pattern of V. pilosa in micro- and mesoscale was described and interpreted in the light of life and dispersal strategy and habitat conditions of the species. Accidental epizoochory and unintentional anthropochory could have been responsible for the mesoscale distribution pattern with population units scattered along human and animal communication routes. Close dense autochory together with the species CR life strategy with a strong competitive component were responsible for microscale distribution pattern alternating in space and time, but always mosaic, including vegetative, generative and mixed patches. The distribution pattern was also influenced by the occurrence of the required combination of the moderately light, moderately moist and nitrogen-rich habitat conditions with favourable human-induced disturbance. Some data on the form of growth, reproductive potential and dispersal mode of the species, as well as on plant-animal interactions were also included.

Contribution to the Knowledge of Mycobiota of the Wielkopolski National Park (W Poland)

The Wielkopolski National Park is located in western Poland, near Poznań City. Its unique postglacial landforms are covered with various (semi)natural and anthropogenic ecosystems. The mycobiota of this Park has been studied for 90 years; however, current state knowledge is still insufficient. In 2018, a few-year- long project on the chorology, richness, and diversity of fungal biota of this area was started. In the first year, 312 taxa of macromycetes were found. Among them, 140 taxa were new for the biota of the Wielkopolski National Park. Five species (<em>Botryobasidium robustius</em>, <em>Hebeloma subtortum</em>, <em>Leccinum brunneogriseolum</em>, <em>Pachyella violaceonigra</em>, and <em>Sistotrema athelioides</em>) were new for Poland, and 26 taxa were new for the Wielkopolska region.

Roosting Colony of Cormorants (Phalacrocorax Carbo Sinensis L.) as a Source of Nutrients for the Lake

Since 2005, great cormorants have been observed on the Lake Góreckie (Wielkopolski National Park) shoreline. The population of these birds occurring within the lake has gradually increased. In autumn 2008, more than 100 individuals were observed. In the period 2009-2012 the number of birds occupying the island periodically exceeded 250 individuals. So far, there is no breeding colony of great cormorants, but the birds have established a roosting colony on the island. In the period 2009-2012 we conducted research on the impact of the colony of great cormorants on the accumulation of nitrogen, phosphorus and other elements in soils beneath the colony and transfer of chemical elements from the colony to a nearby freshwater ecosystem. Our results show that a relatively small and recent colony of great cormorants can significantly affect the chemistry of soil. Compared to a control, the soil beneath the colony was characterized by statistically higher concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus. A significant accumulation of nutrients was observed in the topsoil zone (to a depth of about 20 cm). Enrichment of soil in chemical elements has resulted in their further transport to a nearby lake. Compared to the control, the groundwater and surface runoff from the colony area revealed several-fold higher concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus. The maximum abundance of cormorants in the roosting colony was reflected in the elevated concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus in the littoral water near the colony. Our study demonstrates that the roosting colony of great cormorants can play a significant role in accelerating the eutrophication of surface waters.

Epichloë clarkii - a new graminicolous species for Poland

<i>Epichloë clarkii</i> White, described in 1993 from England has been noted from Wielkopolski National Park in Poland. The eggs and feed marks of hyperparasitic fly, <i>Botanophila</i> sp. have been found on teleomorph stromata of <i>E. clarkii</i>.

Some zygomycetous fungi new to Poland

In the years 1996-1997 the authors studied soil and coprophilic fungi. During thc study the following species of zygomycetous fungi were recorded the first time from Poland: <i>Absidia parricida, Dimargaris cristalligena, Mortierella gamsii, Mortierella sclerotiella</i> and <i>Spinalia radians</i>. The present data are based on material collected by the authors from many regions of Poland, among others: in Słowiński National Park, Tatrzański National Park, Wielkopolski National Park, Wigierski National Park and Woliński National Park.

Serpula himantioides (Fr.) Bond. ex Parm. in Poland

<i>Serpula himantioides</i> recognized as an extinct species in Poland, has been recently found in the Wielkopolski National Park. Synonyms and iconogarphy are given and the present distribution and ecology is discussed.