EVALUATION OF SPATIAL DIFFERENTIATION OF SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF RURAL AREAS IN MAZOWIECKIE PROVINCE IN YEARS 2004-2016

Mazowieckie Province is a unique area of Poland. It is characterised by social and economic diversification. Located in this province, Warsaw strongly influences the development of neighbouring rural areas. On the other hand, rural municipalities whose socio-economic parameters are among the lowest in the country are located within several dozen kilometres from the centre of the capital. Such disparities show that Mazowieckie is characterised by large interregional differences in its internal structure. This is an interesting research area that requires the analysis of socio-economic development in this region to be conducted in a multidimensional way. The aim of this study is to evaluate the spatial differentiation of the level of socio-economic development of rural areas in Mazowieckie Province. Linear ordering was used to determine the level of socio-economic development. The results of the study are consistent with core-periphery theory. The large urban centres that function as the centres for the surrounding rural areas have the greatest impact on the level of rural development. The impact of smaller towns can also be noticed. They often are the local development centres for surrounding villages.

ASSESSMENT OF HISTORICAL BIO-INDEX CHANGES IN RURAL AREAS IN SOUTHERN POLAND – CASE STUDY

Intensity of land use could be considered as an indicator of rate of anthropogenic impact on landscape (CAI) and the coefficient of ecological stability (CES). These two bio-indexes are based on the land use categories. The CAI coefficient is the ratio of the sum of percentile areas of land characterized by considerable human impact in relation to the sum of percentile areas of lands with low or none anthropogenic pressure. The CES index describes the structure of land use in one unit according to land use categories weighted by given coefficients. The calculation of the complex integral index enables to know the potential of the environment, i.e. a natural resource reserve with a structure that allows self-regulation of ecosystems and expresses the environment's resistance to bearing anthropogenic loads. The aim of the study is to analyze the historical land use changes (in the period of 1845-2016) in rural areas of Southern Poland using bio-indexes such as the anthropogenic impact on landscape (CAI) and the coefficient of ecological stability (CES). The analysis led to the conclusion about the strong dynamics of changes during this period which is largely due to the growth of the percentile areas of lands with considerable human impact especially after the historical transformation in 1989 in Poland. At the same time, the attention should be paid to the land use changes as an effect of growing suburbanization. The results of the study can be used by public authorities, citizens and governing bodies to form a system of measures to calculate environmental potential and modelling changes which ensure the environmental protection and sustainable development of rural areas.

INFLUENCES OF BIOLOGICAL PREPARATIONS ON SOIL PROPERTIES IN THE SPRING WHEAT CROP

The natural biochemical, biophysical and biological processes in the soil is changing due to the intensive use of pesticides. At present, it is actual fertilization technologies, which are based on non-fertilizer rates increase bat on their rational use because in the fertilizer is unnecessary chemical compounds that promote mineral nutritional elements leaching. Have been studied the effect of biological preparations BactoMix, AgroMik and Rizobakterin on soil physical properties. Experiments were carried out in 2015–2016 at the Experimental Station of Aleksandras Stulginskis University on Calcari-Endohypogleyic Luvisol. The mean annual temperature of the study site is 6.0–6.5 °C, mean annual precipitation is 600–650 mm and mean annual length of sun shine is 1750–1800 hour (Lithuanian Hydrometeorological Service). Biological preparations sprayed on the soil surface and incorporated in the soil by sowing spring wheat. The use of biological preparations had a tendency to reduce soil density (from 2.3 to 5.3 %), to increase soil porosity (from 0.6 to 2.1 %). Biological preparations had no significant influence on quantity couples filled with moisture and air. The hardness of the soil after spring wheat harvest was the smallest in the fields sprayed by Rizobakterin preparation. The use of biological preparations BaktoMix and Rizobakterin significantly increased soil moisture. The following preparations significantly decreased soil pulverized fractions (micro structure) and significantly increased amount of particles larger than 10 mm.

THE INFLUENCE OF NATURA 2000 SITES ON THE INVESTMENT ATTRACTIVENESS OF POLISH REGIONS

This article evaluates the influence of the Natura 2000 network (N2K) of protected areas on the investment attractiveness of Polish regions. Natura 2000 sites were analyzed with the use of the Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS), a linear ordering method with a common pattern and anti-pattern of development, and correlation analysis (Pearson’s correlation coefficient). The basic unit of analysis was the county (Polish: powiat, the second-level unit of local government and administration in Poland). Poland is divided into 16 regions (known as voivodeships) with a total of 380 counties. The results of the analysis were used to determine synthetic values describing the level and potential of investment attractiveness in Polish counties, and the strength of correlations between the evaluated phenomena. Indicators of investment attractiveness of Polish counties were selected based on published data and analyzed in view of several criteria: labor resources, technical infrastructure, social infrastructure, market support and administrative support. The correlations between the investment attractiveness of Polish counties and the presence of N2K sites in those counties were analyzed statistically. Data for analysis were acquired from the Local Data Bank of the Central Statistical Office. The analysis revealed that the presence of N2K sites in the examined territorial units does not significantly influence their investment attractiveness.

AN INDIVIDUAL LEVEL OF SOCIAL INNOVATIONS FOR RURAL DEVELOPMENT: AGGRESSION AMONG RURAL ADOLESCENTS

Social innovation is very important for rural development. It is a lack of researchers about an individual level of social innovations in Lithuania. Adolescents’ aggression is an important social problem that can affect society and social innovations. It needs to find the differences in aggression between rural and urban adolescents because it could help to plan effective interventions for reducing aggressive behavior. The present study aimed to assess the aggression among rural and urban adolescents. It was hypothesized that rural and urban adolescents differ significantly on aggression. In order to verify the above hypothesis a sample of 479 (207 boys; 272 girls) students were selected from Lithuanian schools. The sample includes the similar size of rural (N=242) and urban (N=237) students. The age of participants was from 12 to 17. It was used Aggression Questionnaire developed by Buss and Perry (1992) in this research. The questionnaire involves four subscales: physical aggression, verbal aggression, anger, and hostility. The results showed that urban girls had more physical aggression than rural girls. However, it was not found statistically significant differences in physical aggression among urban and rural boys. Also, it was not found any statistically significant differences in verbal aggression, anger, hostility among urban and rural adolescents.

ANALYSIS OF ALTERNATIVE ENERGY SOURCES AND THEIR USE IN THE PIG BREEDING FARM DURING THE WINTER PERIOD

Investigations were carried out at the pig breeding farm located in Šalčininkai district. There are 9 hulls in the pig farm, two of which are dedicated to pig breeding. One barn was reconstructed: installed heated-cooled floor with the heat pump and a manure-slurry cooling system. The second barn was installed more than 50 years ago and has not been modernized yet. This hull doesn’t have mechanical cooling system, is heated by a gas heater, infrared rays are installed in the pig holders. Both barns have a mechanical air exhaust system. The research data were collected during the winter season. Also was collected statistical data on the birth rate, weight gain, morbidity and piglets’ death. The parameters of the old barn microclimate depended directly on outdoor air parameters. The average temperature in the old housing was 21 ° C, in the modernized 27 °C; humidity was 79% and 54% respectively. In the winter period, in the old barn, due to low air temperatures and high humidity, the piglets’ death was 7.8% upper and the weight gain of 35% lower than in the reconstructed barn. It has been determined that the microclimate parameters influence the growth of the weight of piglets, their fall, and morbidity. The installed heated-cooled floor and manure-slurry cooling systems allow the farm to not use other types of fuel, facilitate the maintenance of the microclimate parameters of the barn (maintenance of the design temperature all the year), reduce emissions of CO2 and NH3 into the environment, and receive higher revenues from growing and selling products.

INTEGRATED EFFECT OF CLIMATE AND AIR POLLUTANTS ON DIURNAL TREE RING FORMATION OF SCOTS PINE, NORWAY SPRUCE AND SILVER AND DOWNY BIRCH TREES STEM CIRCUMFERENCE

The integrated effect of climatic and other abiotic stress factors including surface ozone on diurnal tree ring width formation of the prevailing in Lithuania tree species as the main response parameter of tree capacity to adapt to and mitigate the recent global changes was investigated. The obtained data revealed that Norway spruce is better adapted to recent climatic conditions in temperate forest than birch trees. Even during the drought episode spruce stem increment exceeded increment of the rest of considered tree species. Silver and Downy birch tree reactions revealed the lowest sensitivity of these tree species not only to unfavorable environmental factors but also to favorable factors which should stimulate tree growth intensity. This is why the growth intensity of this tree species recently has been gradually decreasing. The hypothesis that the coniferous species are more adaptive to recent climate changes was confirmed. The study is based on the results obtained conducting national project supported by Lithuanian Council of Research “FOREstRESS” (SIT- 3/2015).

MODELING OF THE OPTIMAL DISTRIBUTION OF MOTORWAY OVERPASSES ON THE EXAMPLE OF THE A4 MOTORWAY SECTION

The developed, innovative method of estimating the impact of motorway on agricultural land allows determination of all the losses associated with the directions of this impact. The basis for the determination of losses is the analysis of variability in land use and the quality classes and location of access roads to the land along the axis of the planned motorway. The approved measure of the multidirectional impact of the motorway on agricultural land is a change in the value of land, which is designated taking into account the differentiation of their suitability for agricultural production. The developed method of determining the impact of motorway on agricultural land was presented on the example of A4 motorway section between Bratkowice and Mrowla. The existing section of motorway was assessed and then for the same section the calculations were made again, but with an alternative location of the motorway overpasses. In the case of the existing section, the construction of one kilometer of the section of motorway under consideration will result in a reduction in the value of agricultural land of 1725 cereal units. Acquisition of land for the construction of the motorway and its negative impact cover about 69% of the total reduction in value of agricultural land. The remaining 31% of the land value reduction is related to the increase in transport and the deterioration of the parcels layout. On the other hand, in the case of the section with alternative arrangement of viaducts, the value of agricultural land is reduced of 1538 cereal units. Acquisition of land under construction and its toxic impact will be equal 75%, while the combined effect of transport growth and deterioration of the layout makes 25%.

ESTIMATION OF PRODUCTIVITY AND PRIME COST OF LOGSET 5HP GT HARVESTER IN THINNING

Productivity of a harvester significantly affects costs of mechanized felling, which in turn determines, if commercial thinning will be profitable. The objective of this study is to estimate productivity and prime cost of Logset 5HP GT harvester with increased boom length (11 m), equipped with the TH45 felling head, in thinning. Trials are conducted in Latvia, eastern Vidzeme, in coniferous stands. To evaluate productivity of Logset 5HP GT, a time study was carried out. Influence of small trees (diameter at breast height < 8 cm) on productivity and harvesting cost was also determined. During the trials 2379 trees are harvested with the total stem volume of 400 m3. The diameter at breast height of an average harvested tree is 14 cm and volume of a stem – 0.171 m3. Duration of time study is 33.5 h. Obtained productivity rates of Logset 5HP GT are compared with those of John Deere 1070 D harvester. According to the study results average productivity of Logset 5HP GT harvester in thinning of coniferous stands is 13.85 m3 per productive work hour. Prime cost of harvesting of the Logset 5HP GT in thinning is 8.02 € m-3. Increased boom length allows to decrease the total time spent for driving in a stand by 71%. Harvesting of small trees reduces productivity by 6.9% and increase production cost by 2.1% in the experimental stands. Difference between productivity of Logset 5HP GT and John Deere 1070 D in similar conditions is statistically insignificant.

PRODUCTION AND USE OF BIOENERGY IN POLAND IN THE CONTEXT OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF BIOECONOMY

Growing demand for energy, along with the depletion of traditional fossil fuels and the development of civilization, raises interest in the use of bioenergy in all sectors of the economy, including electricity, transport, heating, cooling, and industry. In developed countries bioenergy is an alternative to traditional non-renewable energy from fossil fuels, as its resources renew in natural processes, making it practically inexhaustible. Due to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, bioenergy is also more environmentally friendly than fossil energy. Thus bioenergy sector is a key segment of bio-economy and determines its competitiveness and development. Increase in bioenergy production, resulting from both market and energy policies, leads to greater interdependence between energy and agricultural markets, affects food and feed prices and change in land use. The aim of this study was to identify changes in the bioenergy market in Poland in 2010-2015, present the role of bioenergy sector production in the structure of bio-economy, the changes in production and directions of biomass-based energy use and determine the importance of the major bioenergy markets in the structure of the energy market in Poland. The study was based on the aggregated statistical data on the acquisition and consumption of bioenergy in Poland, including energy from municipal waste, solid biofuels, biogas and liquid biofuels. Findings prove that bioenergy is the most important renewable energy source in Poland. It is also a diversified source of energy, as it can be converted into solid, liquid and gaseous fuels. Although solid biofuels and liquid biofuels dominate in Poland, the share of biogas and energy produced from municipal waste is small. Concluding, bioenergy in Poland changes its character from traditional and local energy source into modern, international commodity.