• Energy Research

Kryzys środowiskowy jest jednym z najbardziej aktualnych i ważnych problemów, z jakimi obecnie zmaga się ludzkość. Organizacje międzynarodowe, rządy, samorządy, religie, społeczności lokalne, organizacje pozarządowe, a nawet poszczególne osoby szukają odpowiedzi na wyzwania, przed jakimi przyszło stanąć ludzkiej cywilizacji. Chodzi bowiem o to, by zgodnie z ideą zrównoważonego rozwoju wypracować takie rozwiązania, które zaspakajając aspiracje człowieka respektowałyby możliwości przyrody, zarówno w perspektywie obecnego, jak i przyszłych pokoleń. Szczegółowym problemem podjętym w niniejszym opracowaniu jest stosunek społeczności lokalnych do obszarów chronionych. Rola tych obszarów jest bowiem nie do przecenienia zarówno dla podtrzymania dobrostanu człowieka, jak i kondycji ziemskiej biosfery. Tematyka ta została podjęta w ramach wspólnego projektu Instytutu Ekologii i Bioetyki (obecnie Centrum Ekologii i Ekofilozofii) na Uniwersytecie Kardynała Stefana Wyszyńskiego w Warszawie (UKSW), Instytutu Badawczego Leśnictwa (IBL) oraz Kampinoskiego Parku Narodowego (KPN). Projekt ten obejmował organizację XIII ogólnopolskiej konferencji z cyklu „Ekologia humanistyczna" pt. ,,Przyroda wyzwaniem dla kultury. Społeczności lokalne wobec obszarów chronionych". Konferencja ta stanowiła swoistą platformę wymiany myśli i doświadczeń przedstawicieli różnych dziedzin wiedzy, przedstawicieli administracji rządowej i samorządowej, przedstawicieli parków narodowych i rezerwatów przyrody oraz organizacji ekologicznych...

Plant growth promoting bacteria (PGPB) have been the target of intensive research studies toward their efficient use in the field as biofertilizers, biocontrol, and bioremediation agents among numerous other applications. Recent trends in the field of PGPB research led to the development of versatile multifaceted PGPB that can be used in different field conditions such as biocontrol of plant pathogens in metal contaminated soils. Unfortunately, all these research efforts lead to the development of PGPB that failed to perform in salty environments. Therefore, it is urgently needed to address this drawback of these PGPB toward their efficient performance in salinity context. In this paper we provide a review of state-of-the-art research in the field of PGPB and propose a road map for the development of next generation versatile and multifaceted PGPB that can perform in salinity. Beyond soil desalinization, our study paves the way towards the development of PGPB able to provide services in diverse salty environments such as heavy metal contaminated, or pathogen threatened. Smart development of salinity adapted next generation biofertilizers will inevitably allow for mitigation and alleviation of biotic and abiotic threats to plant productivity in salty environments.

Climate change and food security: challenges for plant health, plant breeding and genetic resources

AbstractThe complex phenomenon of decline in European oak is currently triggered by changing climatic conditions and their consequences like heavy rains, local floods and pest development. Especially, pathogens fromPhytophthoragenus profit from soil saturation with water. They are alien invasive species, which attack and severely damage fine roots. In drought conditions occurring in the subsequent year, many oaks die as they encounter problem with water uptake. Additionally, insect defoliators followed by oak mildew infections accelerate the level of tree mortality. Secondary insects, butt and root pathogens are usually the final cause of death of many oaks. More research is needed in the direction to determine (i) measurable factors (e.g. chlorophyll florescence) that can indicate that the process of tree decline has already started, (ii) the correlation between the root decay and the crown symptoms (scanners, software), (iii) which combination of stressors stimulate the best development of pathogens that lead to the high plant mortality and (iv) the difference between the mortality caused by the native and the invasivePhytophthoraspecies.

Fusarium circinatum, the causal agent of pine pitch canker (PPC), is currently one of the most important threats of Pinus spp. globally. This pathogen is known in many pine-growing regions, including natural and planted forests, and can affect all life stages of trees, from emerging seedlings to mature trees. Despite the importance of PPC, the global distribution of F. circinatum is poorly documented, and this problem is also true of the hosts within countries that are affected. The aim of this study was to review the global distribution of F. circinatum, with a particular focus on Europe. We considered (1) the current and historical pathogen records, both positive and negative, based on confirmed reports from Europe and globally; (2) the genetic diversity and population structure of the pathogen; (3) the current distribution of PPC in Europe, comparing published models of predicted disease distribution; and (4) host susceptibility by reviewing literature and generating a comprehensive list of known hosts for the fungus. These data were collated from 41 countries and used to compile a specially constructed geo-database. A review of 6297 observation records showed that F. circinatum and the symptoms it causes on conifers occurred in 14 countries, including four in Europe, and is absent in 28 countries. Field observations and experimental data from 138 host species revealed 106 susceptible host species including 85 Pinus species, 6 non-pine tree species and 15 grass and herb species. Our data confirm that susceptibility to F. circinatum varies between different host species, tree ages and environmental characteristics. Knowledge on the geographic distribution, host range and the relative susceptibility of different hosts is essential for disease management, mitigation and containment strategies. The findings reported in this review will support countries that are currently free of F. circinatum in implementing effective procedures and restrictions and prevent further spread of the pathogen.