The team of the University of Agriculture in Krakow conducts comprehensive research on the functioning of wetland ecosystems, focusing on the assessment of active conservation effectiveness, biodiversity conservation, and processes determining the stability of peatland environments. Particular attention is devoted to the analysis of physical, chemical and biological soil and wetland water properties, as well as the assessment of the impact of habitat water content on biological diversity.
The research also includes the assessment of processes related to the carbon cycle, including carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions, the carbon sequestration capacity of peatlands, and changes occurring in biogeochemical cycles. An important element of the work is the determination of soil enzymatic activity as an indicator of environmental quality and the intensity of biological processes. Parallel studies are conducted on the contamination of peatlands with heavy metals, their accumulation in soils, waters and plants, and the impact of these pollutants on the functioning of wetland ecosystems.
The research results published by the URK team provide scientific foundations for the protection, restoration and sustainable management of wetlands, highlighting their importance for biodiversity conservation, environmental quality improvement, and climate change mitigation.
A study conducted on 255 peatlands in Poland analyzed the relationships between the properties of peat soils and the chemical composition of plants. Stoichiometric ratios of biogenic elements (C:N) and relationships between nutrients in different types of organic soils were assessed. The results indicate that the degree of peat decomposition significantly affects nutrient cycling and the functioning of wetland ecosystems.
Piaszczyk W., Szlachta A., Łyszczarz S., Szymański N., Jasik M., Żelazny M., Małek S., Lasota J., Błońska E. (2026). Stoichiometry of peatlands and plants: Mutual interactions in biogeochemical cycles. Geoderma, 466, 117687.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0016706126000157The study covered 233 peatlands distributed across Poland, focusing on the assessment of heavy metal content in surface waters of different peatland types. It was demonstrated that hydrochemical properties, especially water pH, electrolytic conductance and organic carbon content, significantly affect the mobility and concentration of heavy metals. Raised bogs showed greater variability in cadmium, copper, lead and zinc concentrations, while groundwater-fed peatlands more frequently showed elevated iron and manganese concentrations.
Łyszczarz S., Szymański N., Jasik M., Piaszczyk W., Szlachta A., Żelazny M., Błońska E., Lasota J., Małek S. (2026). How the Physical and Chemical Properties Affect the Heavy Metal Content in Surface Water in Different Types of Peatlands. Land Degradation & Development.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ldr.70633The study covered 277 peatlands in Poland and aimed to assess the degree of contamination of peat soils with heavy metals and to identify factors affecting their accumulation. It was shown that heavy metal content is strongly related to soil chemical properties, especially pH, organic carbon content and basic cation concentration. The highest contamination levels were recorded in highly decomposed peatlands, particularly in southern Poland subjected to greater anthropogenic pressure.
Piaszczyk W., Szlachta A., Łyszczarz S., Szymański N., Jasik M., Żelazny M., Małek S., Lasota J., Błońska E. (2025). The effect of soil chemical properties and ecological implications on the distribution of heavy metals in different types of peatland. Ecological Indicators, 178, 113922.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1470160X25008520A study conducted on 262 peatlands assessed the content of heavy metals and biogenic elements in the needles of Norway spruce and Scots pine. Analyses showed that the accumulation of heavy metals in plant tissues is more related to atmospheric deposition than to the properties of peat soils. The results confirm the usefulness of spruce and pine as indicator organisms in environmental monitoring.
Szymański N., Łyszczarz S., Jasik M., Piaszczyk W., Szlachta A., Żelazny M., Błońska E., Lasota J., Małek S. (2026). Concentrations of heavy metals and biogenic elements in needles of Norway spruce and Scots pine from Polish peatlands. Scientific Reports.
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-026-51610-yThe study uses Landsat satellite imagery and climate data to assess changes occurring in the Bagna Izbickie reserve from 1984 to 2024. Over four decades, the area of open peatland habitats decreased from 37% to 10%, while forest cover increased from 52% to nearly 84%, indicating intensive tree succession. The results confirm the high usefulness of remote sensing methods in long-term wetland monitoring.
Cichosz R., Łyszczarz S., Jasik M., Szymański N., Małek S. (2026). Four decades of hydroclimate-driven change and ecological condition in a Baltic raised bog assessed with Landsat and RSEI. Scientific Reports, 16, 14912.
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-026-44890-x
Do you want to better understand ecosystem functioning and more effectively protect valuable natural habitats? The postgraduate programme "Siedliskoznawstwo" (Habitat Science) is directed at specialists involved in the protection of ecosystems, natural habitats and wetlands, environmental monitoring, and activities in the field of nature conservation and restoration.
The study programme was developed by experts involved in the WETLANDS project and responds to current challenges related to biodiversity conservation, climate change and ecosystem restoration. It combines knowledge from ecology, botany, soil science, hydrology, forestry and nature conservation, offering participants a comprehensive view of the functioning of natural habitats.
Classes are conducted by an interdisciplinary team of academic and expert staff representing leading research centres and nature conservation institutions in Poland. The programme includes both lectures and field classes and practical workshops, during which participants acquire skills necessary to identify, classify, monitor and assess the condition of natural habitats, as well as to plan conservation and restoration activities.
An additional value of the studies is the opportunity to exchange experiences and build cooperation networks between specialists from different sectors and regions of Poland. This creates a space for establishing new professional contacts, implementing joint initiatives, and applying best practices in environmental protection.
We invite you to participate in subsequent editions of the postgraduate studies "Siedliskoznawstwo" and to jointly develop the competencies needed for effective nature conservation and sustainable management of environmental resources.