@article{2-s2.0-85210576612,

title = {Railway Infrastructure as a Substitute Habitat for Valuable Medicinal Plant Species Using the Example of Bearberry Arctostaphylos uva-ursi},

author = { B. Bacler-Zbikowska and A. Hutniczak and W.M. Bierza and J. Bakr and A. Błońska and A. Piekarska-Stachowiak and P. Olszewski and A. Pieprzyca and P. Kucharski and A. Stebel and G. Woźniak},

url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85210576612&doi=10.3390%2fagronomy14112739&partnerID=40&md5=6b999f83d951bb6c2d60cf282c22d5ad},

doi = {10.3390/agronomy14112739},

year  = {2024},

date = {2024-01-01},

journal = {Agronomy},

volume = {14},

number = {11},

publisher = {Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI)},

abstract = {The secondary, substitute habitats are becoming more important for the survival of many valuable plant species, including medicinal plants—for example, bearberry Arctostaphylos uva-ursi. The aim of the conducted research is to compare the ability of A. uva-ursi to accumulate heavy metals in leaves from railways (anthropogenic substitute habitat) and the natural habitats (pine forests). We measured the concentration of five heavy metals (Cd; Hg; Ni; Pb; and Zn) in plant material and in the soil. The bioaccumulation factor was also calculated. Moreover, we measured biotic factors including A. uva-ursi height and abundance, along with the plant diversity indices, in the investigated plots. The presented results reveal that (1) none of the parameters concerning the content of the selected heavy metals described in the currently applicable legal acts were exceeded, (2) A. uva-ursi does not show the potential for heavy metal accumulation, except for zinc and partially mercury, (3) its individuals in the natural habitats are lower, (4) the abundance (percentage cover) of A. uva-ursi is the lowest in the natural habitat, and (5) the value of the Shannon–Wiener diversity index is the highest in the vegetation patches with A. uva-ursi developed in natural habitats. © 2024 by the authors.},

note = {0},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{2-s2.0-85213542216,

title = {Photosynthetic response of Solidago gigantea Aition and Calamagrostis epigejos L. (Roth) to complex environmental stress on heavy metal contaminated sites},

author = { W. Bąba and A. Kompała-Bąba and E.M. Sierka and W.M. Bierza},

url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85213542216&doi=10.1038%2fs41598-024-82952-0&partnerID=40&md5=8130e02394df786392c78f2ea00d7eb1},

doi = {10.1038/s41598-024-82952-0},

year  = {2024},

date = {2024-01-01},

journal = {Scientific Reports},

volume = {14},

number = {1},

publisher = {Nature Research},

abstract = {Studies of in situ plant response and adaptation to complex environmental stresses, are crucial for understanding the mechanisms of formation and functioning of ecosystems of anthropogenically transformed habitats. We study short- and long-term responses of photosynthetic apparatus (PSA) and anti-oxidant capacity to complex abiotic stresses of common plants Calamagrostis epigejos and Solidago gigantea in semi-natural (C) and heavy metal contaminated habitats (LZ). We found significant differences in leaf pigment content between both plant species growing on LZ plots and their respective C populations. The average values of leaf chlorophyll indexes were 27% lower in the LZ populations of both species and significantly lower in Sg plants in comparison to Ce ones. The average values of the anthocyanin index in CeLZ and SgLZ populations were significantly higher (by 18%) than in their respective controls. In both Ce and Sg plants occurring on LZ plots, the average leaf flavonol indexes were higher than on their controls by 31% and 15% and this index was significantly higher in SgLZ population than CeLZ and CeC plants (by 34% and 54%; respectively). Both Ce and Sg populations growing on LZ plots showed significantly lower photosynthetic rate (A), transpiration rate (E) and stomatal conductance (gs) in comparison to controls. On the other hand, a significantly higher photosynthetic rate was detected in SgLZ than in CeLZ populations. The catalase activities were significantly higher than recorded in Sg than in Ce tissues, irrespective of the plot type. They were also higher in LZ populations than those in controls for both species. Moreover, the H2O2 content in Sg tissues was significantly higher than those in Ce. Hydrogen peroxide content in CeLZ and SgLZ were respectively 39% (non-significant) and 57% higher, compared to their controls. The reverse pattern was found in the case of MDA, whose concentration was significantly higher in the leaves of Ce population compared to the control population. The average MDA concentration in CeLZ populations was 17% higher than in the CeC. In the case of Sg no significant differences were found. Mechanisms of plant species adaptation to industrial areas are crucial for species selection and planning effective reclamation of them. The analysis of chlorophyll fluorescence induction curves as well as well as the results of JIP test revealed the decreased of Fj value despite positive ΔK–band in SgLZ and CeLZ plants suggesting the increased rate of electron transfer from QA to QB at the acceptor side of PSII, thus a high quantity of P680+ and/or effective quenching by exogenous molecules. The increase in the I–P part of the induction curve typically attributed to the reduction of electron transporters (ferredoxin; intermediary acceptors; and NADP) of the PSI acceptor side was observed in both SgC and SgLZ but not in CeLZ populations. These changes demonstrate species-specific effects on electron transport during the light phase of photosynthesis under complex environmental stress. Our results show that Sg and Ce individuals developed a range of structural and functional adaptations to protect PSA against complex environmental stresses (possible combination of heavy metals; water deficiency; temperature; nutrient deficiency and salinity). Both species from LZ plots could tolerate high levels of Cd, Zn and Pb in leaf tissues. Therefore they can be potential candidates for use in phytoremediation of HM contaminated areas. However, further long-term field and experimental research on plant traits response and adaptation to complex environmental stresses on industrial habitats are needed. © The Author(s) 2024.},

note = {0},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{2-s2.0-85195866716,

title = {Biodiversity Characteristics and Carbon Sequestration Potential of Successional Woody Plants versus Tree Plantation under Different Reclamation Treatments on Hard-Coal Mine Heaps––A Case Study from Upper Silesia},

author = { B. WoŚ and A.M. Misebo and W. Ochał and A. Klamerus-Iwan and M. Paja̧k and E.M. Sierka and A. Kompała-Bąba and M. Bujok and W.M. Bierza and A. Józefowska and J. Bujak and M. Pietrzykowski},

url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85195866716&doi=10.3390%2fsu16114793&partnerID=40&md5=c3461e3f3e0e145d9ca5e59595715d65},

doi = {10.3390/su16114793},

year  = {2024},

date = {2024-01-01},

journal = {Sustainability (Switzerland)},

volume = {16},

number = {11},

publisher = {Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI)},

abstract = {In the discussion about sustainable forestry, a key role is played by the development of ecosystem services, including ecological, social, and economic ones, in which biodiversity and carbon (C) sequestration are among the most important. Afforestation of disturbed and post-mining sites is one of the ways to minimize the negative impact of civilization on the environment. Optimizing C sequestration strategies at post-mining sites plays a crucial role in promoting ecosystem recovery, supporting climate change mitigation, and enabling C offsetting. In this study, we compared the C storage in the soil and plant biomass of forest ecosystems developed on coal-mine heaps for different scenarios of reclamation and succession. We tested combinations of sites (i.e.; non-reclaimed sites on bare carboniferous rock [BR] and sites reclaimed by applying topsoil [TS]) and successional woodland and tree plantation. The estimated potential for total C storage (in the soil + biomass) for TS sites ranged from 68.13 to 121.08 Mg ha−1, of which 52.20–102.89 Mg ha−1 was stored in the soil and 12.09–20.15 Mg ha−1 in the biomass. In the non-reclaimed sites on BR, the total C storage was much higher, amounting to 523.14 Mg ha−1 (507.66 Mg ha−1 being in the soil), which was due to the geogenic coal content in the BR. However, the C storage in the biomass (15.48 Mg ha−1) and litter (5.91 Mg ha−1) was similar to the amounts obtained from the reclaimed sites. The number of species did not differ statistically significantly between the analyzed variants. On average, 14 species were recorded in the plots. The average Shannon–Wiener index (H’) value was higher for sites with BR (1.99) than TS variants on reclaimed plots (1.71). The lowest H’ value was for those plots with Robinia pseudacacia in the stand. One of the main implications of the obtained results for sustainable forestry is the perspective of using succession in the recovery of a disturbed ecosystem. We noted that woodlands from succession on BR are highly biodiverse, have high C sequestration potential, and do not require time-consuming reclamation treatments. © 2024 by the authors.},

note = {0},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{2-s2.0-85202674292,

title = {Borrow Pit Disposal of Coal Mining Byproducts Improves Soil Physicochemical Properties and Vegetation Succession},

author = { J. Bakr and A. Kompała-Bąba and W.M. Bierza and D. Chmura and A. Hutniczak and J. Kasztowski and B. Jendrzejek and A. Zarychta and G. Woźniak},

url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85202674292&doi=10.3390%2fagronomy14081638&partnerID=40&md5=cf5066b22450defbd8fdddeb52293e8f},

doi = {10.3390/agronomy14081638},

year  = {2024},

date = {2024-01-01},

journal = {Agronomy},

volume = {14},

number = {8},

publisher = {Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI)},

abstract = {The way of disposing of rock mineral material has a significant impact on subsequent spontaneous vegetation succession, soil properties, and respiration. We compared seven spontaneously vegetated samples from a large (2 km2) borrow pit used to dispose of the byproducts of a hard coal mine with seven plots from four coal mine spoil heap piles. We used BIOLOG EcoPlates to assess the microbial catabolic activity of the substrate. The substrate in the borrow pit was characterized by higher water content and lower temperature compared to the heap pile substrate. The borrow pit had a more diverse plant community structure. Higher Rao’s quadratic entropy, functional richness, and functional divergence were also calculated from plant functional traits in borrow pit samples. Although borrow pit samples showed higher total microbial biomass, bacteria/fungi ratio, and gram+/gram− ratio, and heap pile samples showed higher soil enzymatic activity, microbial functional diversity, and catabolic activity, these differences were not significant. Soil respiration from the borrow pit substrate was two folds higher. The borrow pit method of disposing of rock mineral material can be suggested to speed up spontaneous vegetation succession. This research provides new insights into the effects of burying hard coal byproducts in borrow pits and offers guidance for the management of hard coal mining. © 2024 by the authors.},

note = {0},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{2-s2.0-85204688671,

title = {The effect of industrial and urban dust pollution on the ecophysiology and leaf element concentration of Tilia cordata Mill.},

author = { K. Bierza and W.M. Bierza},

url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85204688671&doi=10.1007%2fs11356-024-34999-9&partnerID=40&md5=d347d50d6c46429662cc8b02a622d04b},

doi = {10.1007/s11356-024-34999-9},

year  = {2024},

date = {2024-01-01},

journal = {Environmental Science and Pollution Research},

volume = {31},

number = {48},

pages = {58413-58429},

publisher = {Springer},

abstract = {The influences of airborne trace elements in urban dust on element concentrations and functional traits of Tilia cordata were examined. For the present study, the unwashed and washed leaves of T. cordata were collected to assess the concentration of metals in Katowice City, Poland, from sites of different traffic intensity and industry activity. The content of Al, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb, Zn, C, and N was measured. Additionally, a number of functional traits such as photosynthetic pigment content, specific leaf area (SLA), leaf dry matter content (LDMC), and diseased areas of the leaves were determined to assess the impact of the polluters on the physiology of the trees and their resources acquisition strategy. We hypothesized that the photosynthetic pigments of T. cordata will decrease with the traffic and industry intensity, and the traits related to the resources acquisition and stress resistance will shift into a more conservative strategy. The Principal Component Analysis and the Inverse Distance Weighting (IDW) interpolation method helped to identify that the Fe, Zn, Al, and Cr were related mainly to traffic intensification and Pb to industrial activities. The results indicate that Katowice is considerably polluted by Zn (up to 189.6 and 260.2 mg kg−1 in washed and unwashed leaves; respectively), Pb (up to 51.7 and 133.6 mg kg−1), and Cd (up to 2.27 and 2.43 mg kg−1) compared to other cities worldwide. Also, a reduction of approximately 27% in the photosynthetic pigments was observed at the high-traffic and industrial sites. The trees from the mainly affected areas with heavy traffic and industry tend to apply a conservative resources strategy with a decrement in SLA and an increment in LDMC. In contrast, the opposite trend was observed at the less affected sites (high SLA; low LDMC). The study showed that unfavourable urban conditions can trigger a plastic response on multiple levels. Knowledge of the possible paths of adaptation to urban conditions of different plant species is nowadays crucial to appropriate urban greenery planning. © The Author(s) 2024.},

note = {0},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{2-s2.0-85187542129,

title = {Nutrient uptake efficiency and stoichiometry for different plant functional groups on spoil heap after hard coal mining in Upper Silesia, Poland},

author = { B. WoŚ and E.M. Sierka and A. Kompała-Bąba and W.M. Bierza and M. Chodak and M. Pietrzykowski},

url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85187542129&doi=10.1016%2fj.scitotenv.2024.171612&partnerID=40&md5=2a56441e7c5c375ff419e650cb163f7b},

doi = {10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171612},

year  = {2024},

date = {2024-01-01},

journal = {Science of the Total Environment},

volume = {924},

publisher = {Elsevier B.V.},

abstract = {Various plant functional groups (PFGs) used in the reclamation of post-mining heaps may differ in their nutrient uptake efficiency and thus in their effect on the ecosystem development. The effect of PFGs may be additionally modified by the applied reclamation measures such as e.g. topsoiling. In this study we compared the nutrient uptake efficiencies and plant stoichiometry for two PFGs (grasses and forbs) growing on the sites reclaimed by applying topsoil (TS) and unreclaimed sites on carboniferous bare rock (BR) in hard coal spoil heap in Upper Silesia (southern Poland). Basic soil parameters, including pH, texture, soil organic carbon, and nutrients (N; P; K; Ca; and Mg), were measured, and the aboveground plant biomass and nutrient content in plant tissue were determined. Forbs were characterized by a larger biomass and higher nutrient concentrations (except for P) than grasses. The TS treatment supported higher concentrations of N and P in plant tissues but not to the level ensuring more significant primary biomass production. The nutrient concentration and elemental stoichiometry in plant tissue indicated that N was the primary limiting element. However, the major growth limitation for N-fixing forbs was from P. Forbs were much more efficient in nutrient uptake than grasses, independent of the reclamation treatment. Therefore, they stimulate nutrient cycling in the restored ecosystems more than grasses. © 2024},

note = {2},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{2-s2.0-85191387406,

title = {Plant Species and Functional Diversity of Novel Forests Growing on Coal Mine Heaps Compared with Managed Coniferous and Deciduous Mixed Forests},

author = { J. Bakr and A. Kompała-Bąba and W.M. Bierza and A. Hutniczak and A. Błońska and D. Chmura and F. Magurno and A.M. Jagodziński and L. Besenyei and B. Bacler-Zbikowska and G. Woźniak},

url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85191387406&doi=10.3390%2ff15040730&partnerID=40&md5=c3932140ff6b7768f10bfc0261b8815b},

doi = {10.3390/f15040730},

year  = {2024},

date = {2024-01-01},

journal = {Forests},

volume = {15},

number = {4},

publisher = {Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI)},

abstract = {(1): The Upper Silesia region of Poland is one of the most extensively altered regions of Europe due to human activity, especially coal mining. (2): We used cluster analysis to examine the floristic composition of three classified forest communities: forests developed on post-coal mine mineral heaps (HF), mixed deciduous forests (DECI), and managed secondary coniferous forests (CON). Vegetation data were collected from 44 randomly selected plots, and plant traits connected with persistence, dispersal, and regeneration were taken from commonly used plant trait databases. (3): Higher species richness, species diversity, and evenness (36; 2.7; and 0.76; respectively) were calculated for HF plots compared with those plots from DECI (22; 1.9; and 0.62) and CON (18; 2.0; and 0.71) plots. Higher functional richness (0.173; 0.76) and functional divergence were determined for HF compared with those calculated for DECI (FRic 0.090; FDiv 0.71) and CON (FRic 0.026; FDiv 0.69). In contrast, the substrate from HF forests had significantly lower soil respiration (0.76 mg-CO2 h/m2) compared with substrates from both CON and DECI forests (0.90 and 0.96 mg-CO2 h/m2; respectively); (4): A set of complex abiotic stresses which plants suffer from on coal mine spoil heaps shaped different patterns of taxonomic and functional diversity. These findings demonstrate the importance of investigating successional aspects and carbon dynamics of de novo forests which have developed on post-coal mine spoil heaps in urban industrial areas. © 2024 by the authors.},

note = {2},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{2-s2.0-85184448307,

title = {Functional diversity of microbial communities in herbaceous vegetation patches in coal mine heaps},

author = { M. Malicka and W.M. Bierza and M. Szalbot and A. Kompała-Bąba and A. Błońska and F. Magurno and Z. Piotrowska-Seget and G. Woźniak},

url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85184448307&doi=10.1002%2fldr.5055&partnerID=40&md5=514fdcf0817d751b97b60e09a6312d13},

doi = {10.1002/ldr.5055},

year  = {2024},

date = {2024-01-01},

journal = {Land Degradation and Development},

volume = {35},

number = {6},

pages = {2214-2225},

publisher = {John Wiley and Sons Ltd},

abstract = {Coal mine heaps represent unique novel environments, suitable for studying plant succession and its influence on the activity of microbes inhabiting the rhizosphere. Our aim was to verify if the functional diversity and catabolic activity of soil microorganisms would increase along with the plant succession from non-vegetated and forbs-dominated to grass-dominated communities. The study was conducted on coal mine heaps located in Upper Silesia (Southern Poland), focusing on non-vegetated patches, patches dominated by forbs–Tussilago farfara and Daucus carota (in the early stages of succession), and by grasses–Poa compressa and Calamagrostis epigejos (in later stages of primary succession). The catabolic activity and functional diversity of soil microbial communities were analyzed based on community-level physiological profiles using BIOLOG EcoPlatesTM and the activity of dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase, acid phosphatase, and urease. Our results showed that spontaneous vegetation on coal mine heaps strongly affects the physicochemistry of the substrate and the functional diversity of soil microbial communities. Grasses' rhizosphere was hosting more active and functional diversified microbial communities, while non-vegetated and T. farfara-vegetated patches were accompanied by a reduced development of soil microbiota. Furthermore, grasses were mainly associated with a substantial delivery of plant litter to the substrate, providing a source of carbon for microorganisms. © 2024 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.},

note = {1},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{2-s2.0-85199042038,

title = {Taxonomic and functional diversity along successional stages on post-coalmine spoil heaps},

author = { J. Bakr and A. Kompała-Bąba and W.M. Bierza and D. Chmura and A. Hutniczak and A. Błońska and T. Nowak and F. Magurno and A.M. Jagodziński and G. Woźniak},

url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85199042038&doi=10.3389%2ffenvs.2024.1412631&partnerID=40&md5=71c84c6da726e1ccb81cc6fbb5e1e183},

doi = {10.3389/fenvs.2024.1412631},

year  = {2024},

date = {2024-01-01},

journal = {Frontiers in Environmental Science},

volume = {12},

publisher = {Frontiers Media SA},

abstract = {Coal is the most abundant fossil fuel in Europe, but the excavation of hard coal has covered large areas with disposed rock waste, and turned the natural habitats into disturbed novel ecosystems with harsh conditions differ in time and space. To examine the spontaneous complex successional gradient, we studied a large number of post coalmine heaps in Upper Silesia, which differ in vegetation type and age. Cluster analysis based on plant community composition (367 species in total) separated all surveyed plots on coal mining spoil heaps with herbaceous vegetation from Late Stage (LS) forests aged 14–56 years. Furthermore, the herbaceous vegetation was sub-grouped to three stages: Initial Stage (IS) aged 2–5 years, Early Stage (ES) aged 3–8 years and Mid-Stage (MS) aged 5–12 years. MS vegetation was characterised by the highest species richness and diversity (47 and 2.79) compared to ES (30 and 2.18) and IS (9 and 1.6), but higher species number and a similar diversity index occurred in LS (37 and 2.81). Functional diversity (FD) and community weighted mean (CWM) of nine functional traits showed higher (23.1) functional richness, higher (0.72) functional divergence, higher (4.5) functional dispersion, and higher value (24.4) of Rao’s quadratic entropy in LS compared to those calculated from the first three stages. Species at the initial successional stage (IS) were characterised by lower canopy height, seed mass, higher lateral spread, and specific leaf area (SLA). Additionally, the lowest (0.22 mg CO2 per hour per square metre) soil respiration (Sr) rate was recorded from IS compared to (0.53; 0.82 and 1.00) from ES, LS and MS, respectively. The soil water content (SWC) was the most important factor affecting the soil respiration, while the soil temperature (St) did not follow the well-studied relationship between soil respiration and soil temperature. Our spatial and temporal analyses illustrated changes in plant community assembly processes in the course of spontaneous vegetation succession on post coalmine spoil heaps. The importance of trait mediated abiotic filtration in community assembly in initial-, early-, and mid-stages of succession with an increase in competitive exclusion at the late successional stage was emphasized. Copyright © 2024 Bakr, Kompała-Bąba, Bierza, Chmura, Hutniczak, Błońska, Nowak, Magurno, Jagodziński and Woźniak.},

note = {1},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{2-s2.0-85176617749,

title = {How applied reclamation treatments and vegetation type affect on soil fauna in a novel ecosystem developed on a spoil heap of carboniferous rocks},

author = { A. Józefowska and B. WoŚ and E.M. Sierka and A. Kompała-Bąba and W.M. Bierza and A. Klamerus-Iwan and M. Chodak and M. Pietrzykowski},

url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85176617749&doi=10.1016%2fj.ejsobi.2023.103571&partnerID=40&md5=26a6eb92a8edd972bad40ce9dc154225},

doi = {10.1016/j.ejsobi.2023.103571},

issn = {11645563},

year  = {2023},

date = {2023-01-01},

journal = {European Journal of Soil Biology},

volume = {119},

publisher = {Elsevier Masson s.r.l.},

abstract = {The restoration of soil fauna on a spoil heap is a strong indicator of successful reclamation. The studies were conducted on two types of materials: bare rock (BR) and BR with topsoil (TS) which were applied during coal spoil reclamation and three vegetation types. Four variants investigated included natural forest succession on BR (Succession_BR) and TS (Succession_TS), afforestation (Reclamation_TS) and afforestation with Robinia pseudoacacia (Robinia_TS). Soil pH, soil organic carbon (SOC) and total nitrogen (TN) content, and soil texture were measured in 0–10 cm layers. Earthworms were collected using hand sorting method, and enchytraeids were collected using wet extraction with the heating method. The investigated soil had varying pH values from 5.3 in a BR to 7.2 in Robinia_TS. The highest content of SOC and TN were in Successinon_BR, and the lowest was in Succession_TS. Enchytraeids density was in the following increasing order: 275, 2982, 3001 and 4548 ind m−2 for Succession_BR, Robinia_TS, Succession_TS and Reclamation_TS, respectively. Earthworm density ranged from 0 ind. m−2 in the Succession_BR through 116 ind m−2 and 120 ind m−2 in Reclamation_TS and Succession_TS, respectively up to 162 ind m−2 in the Robinia_TS. The reclamation treatment was a major driver for soil fauna development while vegetation type was of secondary importance. Investigated soil fauna was positively related to pH value and clay content. The most stimulating variant for the development of earthworms and enchytraeids was the application of reclamation with various tree species and the planting of Robinia pseudoacacia on the topsoil. © 2023 Elsevier Masson SAS},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{2-s2.0-85159353620,

title = {Plant Diversity and Species Composition in Relation to Soil Enzymatic Activity in the Novel Ecosystems of Urban–Industrial Landscapes},

author = { W.M. Bierza and J. Czarnecka and A. Błońska and A. Kompała-Bąba and A. Hutniczak and B. Jendrzejek and J. Bakr and A.M. Jagodziński and D. Prostański and G. Woźniak},

url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85159353620&doi=10.3390%2fsu15097284&partnerID=40&md5=e984f38d3215ef9e73a072a8a3437272},

doi = {10.3390/su15097284},

issn = {20711050},

year  = {2023},

date = {2023-01-01},

journal = {Sustainability (Switzerland)},

volume = {15},

number = {9},

publisher = {MDPI},

abstract = {The primary producers and processes of matter and energy flow, reflected by the soil enzyme activity, are the basics of all ecosystem functioning processes. This paper reviews the relationships between the plant diversity, the physicochemical substrate parameters, and the soil enzymatic activity in novel ecosystems of the urban–industrial landscape, where the factors driving soil enzyme activity are not fully understood and still need to be studied. The relationship between the biotic and abiotic factors in the development of novel ecosystems on de novo established habitats, e.g., sites of post-mineral excavation, are shaped in ways unknown from the natural and the semi-natural habitats. The main criteria of de novo established ecosystems are the vegetation patches of the non-analogous species composition created as a result of human impact. The non-analogous species assemblages are associated with different microorganism communities because the biomass and the biochemistry of soil organic matter influence the enzyme activity of soil substrates. Moreover, the soil enzyme activity is an indicator that can dynamically reflect the changes in the microbial community structure dependent on the best-adapted plant species, thanks to the particular traits and individual adaptive adjustments of all the plant species present. This way, soil enzyme activity reflects the sum and the interactions of the elements of the ecosystem structure, irrespective of the vegetation history and the habitat origin. © 2023 by the authors.},

note = {2},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{2-s2.0-85156137329,

title = {The Effect of Plant Diversity and Soil Properties on Soil Microbial Biomass and Activity in a Novel Ecosystem},

author = { W.M. Bierza and G. Woźniak and A. Kompała-Bąba and F. Magurno and M. Malicka and D. Chmura and A. Błońska and A.M. Jagodziński and Z. Piotrowska-Seget},

url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85156137329&doi=10.3390%2fsu15064880&partnerID=40&md5=a9e44f6c8cd6ece6521cdc2e09110f47},

doi = {10.3390/su15064880},

issn = {20711050},

year  = {2023},

date = {2023-01-01},

journal = {Sustainability (Switzerland)},

volume = {15},

number = {6},

publisher = {MDPI},

abstract = {Plant–microbial relations have not yet been fully disclosed in natural or seminatural ecosys-tems, nor in novel ecosystems developing spontaneously on post-coal mine heaps. The aim of this study was to determine which factor, biotic (plant taxonomic diversity vs. plant functional diversity) or abiotic (physicochemical substrate parameters), affects the biomass of soil microbial communities the most, as well as soil in situ respiration in novel ecosystems. The study was carried out on unreclaimed plots selected according to four different combinations of taxonomic and functional plant diversity. Additionally, plots on a reclaimed heap served as a comparison between the two management types. The biomass of several soil microbial groups was analysed using phospholipid fatty acids profiles. We detected that soil microbial biomass was more impacted by abiotic parameters (explaining 23% of variance) than plant diversity (explaining 12% of variance). Particularly, we observed that substrate pH was the most important factor shaping microbial community biomass, as shown in the RDA analysis. The highest microbial biomass was found in plots with low taxonomic and functional diversity. This finding can be explained by the fact that these plots represented a more advanced phase of vegetation development in the early stages of plant succession. © 2023 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.},

note = {1},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{2-s2.0-85143272156,

title = {A new order, Entrophosporales, and three new Entrophospora species in Glomeromycota},

author = { J. Błaszkowski and M. Sánchez-García and P. Niezgoda and S. Zubek and F. Fernández and A. Vila and M.N. Al-Yahya’ei and S. Symanczik and P. Milczarski and R. Malinowski and M.N. Cabello and B.T. Goto and L. Casieri and M. Malicka and W.M. Bierza and F. Magurno},

url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85143272156&doi=10.3389%2ffmicb.2022.962856&partnerID=40&md5=0c9295f2315fb10c426c1bb0b965cd29},

doi = {10.3389/fmicb.2022.962856},

issn = {1664302X},

year  = {2022},

date = {2022-01-01},

journal = {Frontiers in Microbiology},

volume = {13},

publisher = {Frontiers Media S.A.},

abstract = {As a result of phylogenomic, phylogenetic, and morphological analyses of members of the genus Claroideoglomus, four potential new glomoid spore-producing species and Entrophospora infrequens, a new order, Entrophosporales, with one family, Entrophosporaceae (=Claroideoglomeraceae), was erected in the phylum Glomeromycota. The phylogenomic analyses recovered the Entrophosporales as sister to a clade formed by Diversisporales and Glomeraceae. The strongly conserved entrophosporoid morph of E. infrequens, provided with a newly designated epitype, was shown to represent a group of cryptic species with the potential to produce different glomoid morphs. Of the four potential new species, three enriched the Entrophosporales as new Entrophospora species, E. argentinensis, E. glacialis, and E. furrazolae, which originated from Argentina, Sweden, Oman, and Poland. The fourth fungus appeared to be a glomoid morph of the E. infrequens epitype. The physical association of the E. infrequens entrophosporoid and glomoid morphs was reported and illustrated here for the first time. The phylogenetic analyses, using nuc rDNA and rpb1 concatenated sequences, confirmed the previous conclusion that the genus Albahypha in the family Entrophosporaceae sensu Oehl et al. is an unsupported taxon. Finally, the descriptions of the Glomerales, Entrophosporaceae, and Entrophospora were emended and new nomenclatural combinations were introduced. Copyright © 2022 Błaszkowski, Sánchez-García, Niezgoda, Zubek, Fernández, Vila, Al-Yahya’ei, Symanczik, Milczarski, Malinowski, Cabello, Goto, Casieri, Malicka, Bierza and Magurno.},

note = {8},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{2-s2.0-85131213769,

title = {Functional ecosystem parameters: Soil respiration and diversity of mite (Acari, Mesostigmata) communities after disturbance in a Late Cambrian bedrock environment},

author = { G. Woźniak and J. Kamczyc and W.M. Bierza and A. Błońska and A. Kompała-Bąba and E.M. Sierka and A.M. Jagodziński},

url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85131213769&doi=10.1002%2fldr.4224&partnerID=40&md5=1f584ea811ad0124e582ab7955ff79ec},

doi = {10.1002/ldr.4224},

issn = {10853278},

year  = {2022},

date = {2022-01-01},

journal = {Land Degradation and Development},

volume = {33},

number = {17},

pages = {3343-3357},

publisher = {John Wiley and Sons Ltd},

abstract = {We analyzed the changes in ecosystem functions (soil respiration and Mesostigmata mite abundance; species richness and diversity) on various habitats after flooding by highly mineralized and acidic drainage water with fine As-rich pyrite sediments, on a fragment of a natural ecosystem. In total, 177 plots that represented six types of habitats (undisturbed: pine mixed forests; Salix spp. thickets; Juncus effusus communities; wet meadows; and disturbed: bare ground and dead Salix spp. thickets) were sampled twice, in June 2019 and September 2020. Our study revealed that flooding affected essential ecosystem parameters, such as soil Mesostigmata mite abundance, species richness and diversity, and soil respiration, via an extreme decrease of soil pH. In total, 968 mites were collected from pooled data from the two samplings. Mite abundance, species richness and diversity were mainly shaped by habitat type and soil pH, and partially by soil respiration. These parameters were lower in disturbed habitats (bare ground and dead Salix spp. thickets) as compared with undisturbed ones. The highest mean mite density was recorded from mixed forests (4750 ± 600 ind. m−2) and wet meadows (2678 ± 361 ind. m−2), whereas the lowest in bare ground (449 ± 113 ind. m−2) and dead Salix spp. thickets (537 ± 146 ind. m−2). We noticed that mite diversity may be helpful to predict future changes in the physicochemical parameters of soils in disturbed areas. The vegetation patches built up by species adapted to grow in habitats characterized by relatively high metal and metalloid content (J. effusus and Salix spp.) represent an intermediate state of function of ecosystems in the study area. © 2022 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.},

note = {4},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{2-s2.0-85128178690,

title = {Three new species of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi of the genus Diversispora from maritime dunes of Poland},

author = { J. Błaszkowski and P. Niezgoda and S. Zubek and E. Meller and P. Milczarski and R. Malinowski and M. Malicka and S. Uszok and B.T. Goto and W.M. Bierza and L. Casieri and F. Magurno},

url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85128178690&doi=10.1080%2f00275514.2022.2030081&partnerID=40&md5=9edb431bdcbe4cc2584a3054c3577f26},

doi = {10.1080/00275514.2022.2030081},

issn = {00275514},

year  = {2022},

date = {2022-01-01},

journal = {Mycologia},

volume = {114},

number = {2},

pages = {453-466},

publisher = {Taylor and Francis Ltd.},

abstract = {Three new species of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi of the genus Diversispora (phylum Glomeromycota) were described based on their morphology and molecular phylogeny. The phylogeny was inferred from the analyses of the partial 45S rDNA sequences (18S-ITS-28S) and the largest subunit of RNA polymerase II (rpb1) gene. These species were associated in the field with plants colonizing maritime sand dunes of the Baltic Sea in Poland and formed mycorrhiza in single-species cultures. © 2022 The Mycological Society of America.},

note = {4},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{2-s2.0-85117454929,

title = {Eco-physiological responses of Calamagrostis epigejos L (Roth) and Solidago gigantea Aition to complex environmental stresses in coal-mine spoil heaps},

author = { A. Kompała-Bąba and E.M. Sierka and W.M. Bierza and W. Bąba and A. Błońska and G. Woźniak},

url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85117454929&doi=10.1002%2fldr.4119&partnerID=40&md5=2ba248fc0db9639c0b2e133891d65b9d},

doi = {10.1002/ldr.4119},

issn = {10853278},

year  = {2021},

date = {2021-01-01},

journal = {Land Degradation and Development},

volume = {32},

number = {18},

pages = {5427-5442},

publisher = {John Wiley and Sons Ltd},

abstract = {We present a study of short and long-term responses of photosynthetic apparatus and anti-oxidant capacity to complex abiotic stresses of Calamagrostis epigejos and Solidago gigantea commonly occurring in seminatural habitats and novel ecosystems of coal-mine spoil heaps. Drought/salinity and elevated temperature were dominant abiotic stressors triggering both species- and habitat-specific responses, confirmed by ChlF induction curves analysis. Although in both species a decrease in net photosynthetic rate (A) and transpiration rate (E) in spoil heap were observed, Ce showed higher (A) on both habitats in comparison to Sg. Moreover, we found higher H2O2 concentration in Sg leaves as compared to Ce leaves, large differences in catalase (CAT) activity and the reverse pattern of lipid peroxidation in Sg and Ce populations, suggesting species-specific differences in antioxidative mechanisms. The Sg individuals developed structural and functional adaptations to protect PSA against drought/salinity stresses (lower leaf chlorophyll; higher flavonoids content; ChlF parameters: Vi; Vj; dVG/dto). The Ce populations have higher values of JIP parameters related to the electron transfer site within PSI. Mechanisms of plant species adaptation to industrial areas are crucial for species selection and planning effective reclamation of them. In novel ecosystems of spoil heaps both species responded differently to complex abiotic stresses in comparison to seminatural ones that enable them to gain success on both sites. They can spontaneously colonize such areas, create permanent plant cover, and produce large amounts of biomass. Further research on plant traits response and adaptation to complex environmental stresses on industrial habitats are needed. © 2021 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{2-s2.0-85102073693,

title = {The role of plants and soil properties in the enzyme activities of substrates on hard coal mine spoil heaps},

author = { A. Kompała-Bąba and W.M. Bierza and E.M. Sierka and A. Błońska and L. Besenyei and G. Woźniak},

url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85102073693&doi=10.1038%2fs41598-021-84673-0&partnerID=40&md5=b63037ff6049c575134c9a85ee630100},

doi = {10.1038/s41598-021-84673-0},

issn = {20452322},

year  = {2021},

date = {2021-01-01},

journal = {Scientific Reports},

volume = {11},

number = {1},

publisher = {Nature Research},

abstract = {Knowledge about biotic (plant species diversity; biomass) and/or abiotic (physicochemical substrate parameters) factors that determine enzyme activity and functional diversity of the substrate on hard coal spoil heaps is limited. Spontaneously developed vegetation patches dominated by herbaceous species commonly occurring on these spoil heaps: grasses (Poa compressa; Calamagrostis epigejos) and forbs (Daucus carota; Tussilago farfara), were examined. The activity of dehydrogenase and alkaline phosphatase was twice as high in plots dominated by grass species compared with those dominated by forbs. Significant positive correlations were found between the activity of dehydrogenase and alkaline phosphatase with pH, available P, soil moisture, and water holding capacity and negative correlations between the activity of urease and soil organic carbon. Strong positive correlations were found between values for Shannon–Wiener diversity index, evenness, species richness and soil functional diversity in plots dominated by grasses. We found that the soil physicochemical parameters had a greater impact on enzyme activity of the substrate than plant biomass and species diversity. However, grasses, through their extensive root system, more effectively increased enzyme activity and health of the substrate than other herbaceous species, and as they stabilize the substrate and form dense plant cover, they can be recommended for reclamation purposes. © 2021, The Author(s).},

note = {17},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{2-s2.0-85105426340,

title = {New Glomeromycotan Taxa, Dominikia glomerocarpica sp. nov. and Epigeocarpum crypticum gen. nov. et sp. nov. From Brazil, and Silvaspora gen. nov. From New Caledonia},

author = { J. Błaszkowski and K. Jobim and P. Niezgoda and E. Meller and R. Malinowski and P. Milczarski and S. Zubek and F. Magurno and L. Casieri and W.M. Bierza and T. Błaszkowski and T. Crossay and B.T. Goto},

url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85105426340&doi=10.3389%2ffmicb.2021.655910&partnerID=40&md5=e8b95df7f402a3ccab26ea817aa8769e},

doi = {10.3389/fmicb.2021.655910},

issn = {1664302X},

year  = {2021},

date = {2021-01-01},

journal = {Frontiers in Microbiology},

volume = {12},

publisher = {Frontiers Media S.A.},

abstract = {Examination of fungal specimens collected in the Atlantic rain forest ecosystems of Northeast Brazil revealed many potentially new epigeous and semihypogeous glomerocarp-producing species of the phylum Glomeromycota. Among them were two fungi that formed unorganized epigeous glomerocarps with glomoid spores of almost identical morphology. The sole structure that distinguished the two fungi was the laminate layer 2 of their three-layered spore wall, which in spores of the second fungus crushed in PVLG-based mountants contracted and, consequently, transferred into a crown-like structure. Surprisingly, phylogenetic analyses of sequences of the 18S-ITS-28S nuc rDNA and the rpb1 gene indicated that these glomerocarps represent two strongly divergent undescribed species in the family Glomeraceae. The analyses placed the first in the genus Dominikia, and the second in a sister clade to the monospecific generic clade Kamienskia with Kamienskia bistrata. The first species was described here as Dominikia glomerocarpica sp. nov. Because D. glomerocarpica is the first glomerocarp-forming species in Dominikia, the generic description of this genus was emended. The very large phylogenetic distance and the fundamental morphological differences between the second species and K. bistrata suggested us to introduce a new genus, here named as Epigeocarpum gen. nov., and name the new species Epigeocarpum crypticum sp. nov. In addition, our analyses also focused on an arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus originally described as Rhizophagus neocaledonicus, later transferred to the genus Rhizoglomus. The analyses indicated that this species does not belong to any of these two genera but represents a new clade at the rank of genus in the Glomeraceae, here described as Silvaspora gen. nov. © Copyright © 2021 Błaszkowski, Jobim, Niezgoda, Meller, Malinowski, Milczarski, Zubek, Magurno, Casieri, Bierza, Błaszkowski, Crossay and Goto.},

note = {8},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{2-s2.0-85096806191,

title = {Use of remote sensing to track postindustrial vegetation development},

author = { G. Woźniak and M.K. Dyderski and A. Kompała-Bąba and A.M. Jagodziński and A. Pasierbiński and A. Błońska and W.M. Bierza and F. Magurno and E.M. Sierka},

url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85096806191&doi=10.1002%2fldr.3789&partnerID=40&md5=168e88b52508be1da4bf7c59c3d591f7},

doi = {10.1002/ldr.3789},

issn = {10853278},

year  = {2021},

date = {2021-01-01},

journal = {Land Degradation and Development},

volume = {32},

number = {3},

pages = {1426-1439},

publisher = {John Wiley and Sons Ltd},

abstract = {The effects of natural processes on deposited mineral material of postindustrial sites is underestimated. Natural vegetation development on mineral material substratum is an unappreciated way of site management. Due to the classification-based approach to assembly of plant community diversity, remote sensing methods have limited application. We aimed to assess whether remotely sensed data allow for building predictive models, able to recognise vegetation variability along the main gradients of species composition. We assessed vegetation in 321 study plots on four coal-mine spoil heaps in Silesia (S Poland). We determined the main gradients of species composition using detrended correspondence analysis (DCA), and we identified how DCA scores describe vegetation variability. DCA axes explained 38.5%, 35.4%, 31.4%, and 20.1% of species composition variability. We built machine learning models of DCA scores using multispectral satellite images and airborne laser scanning data as predictors. We obtained good predictive power of models for the first two DCA axes (R2 = 0.393 and 0.443; root mean square errors; RMSE = 0.571 and 0.526) and low power for the third and fourth DCA axes (R2 = 0.216 and 0.064; RMSE = 0.513 and 0.361). These scores allowed us to prepare a vegetation map based on DCA scores, and distinguish meadow-like from forest-edge-like vegetation, and to identify thermophilous and highly productive vegetation patches. Our approach allowed us to account for species composition gradients, which improved remote sensing-based vegetation surveys. This method may be used for planning future management. © 2020 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.},

note = {7},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{2-s2.0-85092763346,

title = {The communities of ectomycorrhizal fungal species associated with Betula pendula Roth and Pinus sylvestris L. growing in heavy-metal contaminated soils},

author = { W.M. Bierza and K.A. Bierza and A. Trzebny and I. Greń and M. Dabert and R. Ciepał and L.K. Trocha},

url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85092763346&doi=10.1007%2fs11104-020-04737-4&partnerID=40&md5=f5ac89886482da3a5b02385c802a8ee6},

doi = {10.1007/s11104-020-04737-4},

issn = {0032079X},

year  = {2020},

date = {2020-01-01},

journal = {Plant and Soil},

volume = {457},

number = {1-2},

pages = {321-338},

publisher = {Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH},

abstract = {Aims: Pioneer tree species such as Betula pendula and Pinus sylvestris encroach soils contaminated with heavy metals (HMs). This is facilitated by ectomycorrhizal fungi colonizing tree roots. Thus, we evaluated the ectomycorrhizal fungal (EMF) communities of B. pendula and P. sylvestris growing in HM-contaminated soils compared to non-contaminated soils. We also studied the effect of HMs and soil properties on EMF communities and soil fungal biomass. Methods: Roots of B. pendula and P. sylvestris were collected from three HM-contaminated sites and from two non-contaminated sites located in Poland. EMF species were identified using DNA barcoding. Soil fungal biomass was determined by soil ergosterol. Results: B. pendula and P. sylvestris growing in HM-contaminated soils had similar EMF communities, where Scleroderma, Rhizopogon and Russula as well as ectomycorrhizae of the long-distance exploration type dominated. Among all of the examined soil factors studied, toxicity index (TITotal) was the most significant factor shaping the composition of EMF communities. Despite significant differences in the structure of the EMF communities of trees growing in HM-contaminated sites compared to control sites, no differences in overall diversity were observed. Conclusions: Only well-adapted EMF species can survive toxic conditions and form ectomycorrhizal symbiosis with encroaching trees facilitating the forest succession on contaminated soils. © 2020, The Author(s).},

note = {2},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{2-s2.0-85086678590,

title = {Methyl jasmonate affects photosynthesis efficiency, expression of HvTIP genes and nitrogen homeostasis in Barley},

author = { M.M. Kurowska and A. Daszkowska-Golec and M. Gajecka and P. Kościelniak and W.M. Bierza and I. Szarejko},

url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85086678590&doi=10.3390%2fijms21124335&partnerID=40&md5=388ee2567db937bac0ac87ab71487383},

doi = {10.3390/ijms21124335},

issn = {16616596},

year  = {2020},

date = {2020-01-01},

journal = {International Journal of Molecular Sciences},

volume = {21},

number = {12},

pages = {1-23},

publisher = {MDPI AG},

abstract = {Jasmonates modulate many growth and developmental processes and act as stress hormones that play an important role in plant tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses. Therefore, there is a need to identify the genes that are regulated through the jasmonate signalling pathway. Aquaporins, and among them the Tonoplast Intrinsic Proteins (TIPs), form the channels in cell membranes that are responsible for the precise regulation of the movement of water and other substrates between cell compartments. We identified the cis-regulatory motifs for the methyl jasmonate (MeJA)-induced genes in the promoter regions of all the HvTIP genes, which are active in barley seedlings, and thus we hypothesised that the HvTIP expression could be a response to jasmonate signalling. In the presented study, we determined the effect of methyl jasmonate on the growth parameters and photosynthesis efficiency of barley seedlings that had been exposed to different doses of MeJA (15–1000 µM × 120 h) in a hydroponic solution. All of the applied MeJA concentrations caused a significant reduction of barley seedling growth, which was most evident in the length of the first leaf sheath and dry leaf weight. The observed decrease of the PSII parameters after the exposure to high doses of MeJA (500 µM or higher) was associated with the downregulation of HvPsbR gene encoding one of the extrinsic proteins of the Oxygen Evolving Complex. The reduced expression of HvPsbR might lead to the impairment of the OEC action, manifested by the occurrence of the K-band in an analysis of fluorescence kinetics after MeJA treatment as well as reduced photosynthesis efficiency. Furthermore, methyl jasmonate treatment caused a decrease in the nitrogen content in barley leaves, which was associated with an increased expression the four tonoplast aquaporin genes (HvTIP1;2; HvTIP2;2; HvTIP4;1 and HvTIP4;2) predicted to transport the nitrogen compounds from the vacuole to the cytosol. The upregulation of the nitrogen-transporting HvTIPs might suggest their involvement in the vacuolar unloading of ammonia and urea, which both could be remobilised when the nitrogen content in the leaves decreases. Our research provides tips on physiological role of the individual TIP subfamily members of aquaporins under methyl jasmonate action. © 2020 by the authors.Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.},

note = {10},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{2-s2.0-85075780323,

title = {Do the dominant plant species impact the substrate and vegetation composition of post-coal mining spoil heaps?},

author = { A. Kompała-Bąba and E.M. Sierka and M.K. Dyderski and W.M. Bierza and F. Magurno and L. Besenyei and A. Błońska and K. Ryś and A.M. Jagodziński and G. Woźniak},

url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85075780323&doi=10.1016%2fj.ecoleng.2019.105685&partnerID=40&md5=15d317e8b64a797f849978cd1d229f94},

doi = {10.1016/j.ecoleng.2019.105685},

issn = {09258574},

year  = {2020},

date = {2020-01-01},

journal = {Ecological Engineering},

volume = {143},

publisher = {Elsevier B.V.},

abstract = {Dominant species influence both species and functional composition of the vegetation as well as soil properties of the substrate. However, knowledge about the role played by dominant species in the process of shaping their habitat within post-industrial ecosystems is still limited. We aimed to assess the impact of four dominant species (Calamagrostis epigejos; Daucus carota; Poa compressa and Tussilago farfara) on soil abiotic and biotic properties, and to detect differences in species and functional composition of the vegetation types studied. We hypothesized that (1) dominant species of higher mean biomass cause lower aboveground biodiversity and (2) dominant species of higher mean biomass have a higher impact than the others on soil properties. We measured soil chemistry (TOC; N; P; K; Na; Mg content; EC; pH and enzyme activities) as well as biomass, species diversity and functional diversity of vegetation on 15 study plots (28.3 m2) for each species studied. The DCA analysis revealed a clear distinction between the patches dominated by studied species. Vegetation patches dominated by Calamagrostis epigejos were correlated with amount of biomass, canopy height CWM and specific leaf CWM. Patches dominated by Daucus carota were related to the light requirements (EIV-L), Total Organic Carbon (TOC) and K content. The vegetation patches dominated by Poa compressa were related to dehydrogenase activity, higher Mg content and species richness of the vegetation patches. The highest TOC content was recorded for T. farfara substrates, and the lowest for C. epigejos substrates. The content of potassium does not differ statistically significantly in the substrates from sites dominated by D. carota and P. compressa. The highest values of Mg content were recorded for D. carota and were statistically different from Poa compressa sites, while the higher phosphorus content (statistically significantly different) was recorded for patches dominated by T. farfara and P. compressa. Despite our assumptions, the species with the highest mean biomass (Calamagrostis epigejos) did not cause lower species or functional diversity. In contrast, Tussilago farfara has the highest impact on postindustrial site habitats on coal mine heaps, as extreme values of four soil substratum parameters were recorded on these plots. This species also decreased both species and functional diversity of vegetation. The knowledge about relationship existing between plants (aboveground vegetation) and soil organisms seems important in order to undertake suitable reclamation measures and to restore variety of functions as well as to create diverse vegetation based on native species. © 2019},

note = {14},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{2-s2.0-85062639985,

title = {Vegetation diversity on coal mine spoil heaps – how important is the texture of the soil substrate?},

author = { A. Kompała-Bąba and W.M. Bierza and A. Błońska and E.M. Sierka and F. Magurno and D. Chmura and L. Besenyei and Ł. Radosz and G. Woźniak},

url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85062639985&doi=10.2478%2fs11756-019-00218-x&partnerID=40&md5=9f576e90a452816424f3e8a94412e957},

doi = {10.2478/s11756-019-00218-x},

issn = {00063088},

year  = {2019},

date = {2019-01-01},

journal = {Biologia},

volume = {74},

number = {4},

pages = {419-436},

publisher = {De Gruyter},

abstract = {The relationship between the size of the particle fractions of the soil substrate and the diversity of the spontaneously developing vegetation was investigated on coal mine spoil heaps in Upper Silesia (Southern Poland). The analyses were based on 2567 research plots of developed spontaneous vegetation and their associated soil substrate samples collected from 112 coal mine spoil heaps. For each research plot the prevailing particle size fraction was determined (stones; gravel; sand; silt), the species composition and abundance was recorded and the species richness (S), Shannon-Wiener diversity index (H′), Simpson (C) and Evenness (E) indices were used to determine species diversity. From a total of 119 research plots (in all particle size fraction categories), the values of 15 physicochemical properties (pH; electrical conductivity; water holding capacity; moisture; carbon content; total N; available P; Mg and exchange cations Ca; Mg; K; Na; fine particles (%); gravel (%); stone (%)) were obtained to asses their impact on the floristic composition of vegetation patches using Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA). Additionally, functional traits of the dominant species of each vegetation patch (life forms; life strategies and socio-ecological groups), were selected to analyse their relation to substrate texture. It was shown that the highest species richness and the highest values for Shannon-Wiener diversity index, as well as Simpson and Evenness indices, were obtained in plots formed on stones. Moreover, the greatest variation in the participation of species representing different habitats, life forms, and life strategies was found on gravelly substrates. Contrary to our expectations, the vegetation diversity (in terms of both species and their functional traits) was not highest in habitats with a high composition of fine size particles. © 2019, The Author(s).},

note = {29},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{2-s2.0-85058434046,

title = {Impact of selected plant species on enzymatic activity of soil substratum on post-mining heaps},

author = { A. Błońska and A. Kompała-Bąba and E.M. Sierka and L. Besenyei and F. Magurno and K. Frydecka and W.M. Bierza and G. Woźniak},

url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85058434046&doi=10.12911%2f22998993%2f93867&partnerID=40&md5=15197b63b0b8bf6eda34096f93d93909},

doi = {10.12911/22998993/93867},

issn = {2081139X},

year  = {2019},

date = {2019-01-01},

journal = {Journal of Ecological Engineering},

volume = {20},

number = {1},

pages = {138-144},

publisher = {Polish Society of Ecological Engineering (PTIE)},

abstract = {The natural mineral resources (hard coal; sands; dolomites; lead and zinc ores) found in the Silesia and the excavation of them led to significant transformation or even degradation of the environment. The landscape of Upper Silesia was dominated by heaps created as a result of the accumulation of post-mining coal waste. These post-industrial sites are characterised by difficult conditions for the development of plant communities. Nevertheless, the heaps are spontaneously overgrowing and over time, a separate ecosystem can be observed (for heaps). The article analyzes the enzymatic activity of the substrate in relation to the selected dominant grass (Monocots) and herbaceous (Dicots) plant species. The aim of this study was to compare the activity of particular enzymes in soil substratum of the vegetation patches dominated by grass and herbaceous plants. © 2019 Polish Society of Ecological Engineering (PTIE).},

note = {3},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{2-s2.0-85058239805,

title = {Diversity of vegetation dominated by selected grass species on coal-mine spoil heaps in terms of reclamation of post-industrial areas},

author = { A. Błońska and A. Kompała-Bąba and E.M. Sierka and W.M. Bierza and F. Magurno and L. Besenyei and K. Ryś and G. Woźniak},

url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85058239805&doi=10.12911%2f22998993%2f93870&partnerID=40&md5=03aee24aad7cc818b78174320f6620da},

doi = {10.12911/22998993/93870},

issn = {2081139X},

year  = {2019},

date = {2019-01-01},

journal = {Journal of Ecological Engineering},

volume = {20},

number = {2},

pages = {209-217},

publisher = {Polish Society of Ecological Engineering (PTIE)},

abstract = {Grasses have a considerable potential for the adaptation to various, often extreme, habitat conditions. The aim of the work was to present the vegetation diversity of the coal-mine spoil heaps with the dominant share of grasses and to identify the main factors responsible for this diversity in the aspect of post-industrial land reclamation. The communities differ in reference to the species preferences to light, moisture, soil fertility and reaction, which is reflected in the wide variety of microhabitats in the area. It was shown that the increase in the abundance of certain grass species, including Calamagrostis epigejos, Festuca rubra, Festuca arundinacea, Phragmites australis, has a significant negative impact on the species richness, species diversity and the uniformity of distribution of species of the plant community. Preliminary analyses revealed that on post-mining waste, the biomass production of the dominant species is negatively correlated with biodiversity. The knowledge about the biology and ecology of grass species, as well as on the assembly rules may be used in the reclamation of degraded areas. Gaining the knowledge about the vegetation diversity of the coal-mine spoil heaps with the dominant share of grasses can be useful in planning the reclamation works, taking into account natural processes, which leads to the creation of a permanent vegetation cover at a given site, protecting it against water or wind erosion. In the future these areas may provide a number of important ecosystem services. © 2018, Polish Society of Ecological Engineering (PTIE).},

note = {11},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{2-s2.0-84959479003,

title = {Assessment of heavy metal pollution in surface soils and plant material in the post-industrial city of Katowice, Poland},

author = { K.A. Bierza and I. Franiel and W.M. Bierza and B. Pawlak and B.F. Palowski},

url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84959479003&doi=10.1080%2f10934529.2015.1120509&partnerID=40&md5=423bf13837043d7c8dfa7ad1f379bea5},

doi = {10.1080/10934529.2015.1120509},

issn = {10934529},

year  = {2016},

date = {2016-01-01},

journal = {Journal of Environmental Science and Health - Part A Toxic/Hazardous Substances and Environmental Engineering},

volume = {51},

number = {5},

pages = {371-379},

publisher = {Taylor and Francis Inc.},

abstract = {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. © 2016 Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.},

note = {11},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}