We examined the effects of different intensities of forest management on bird communities in the Bialowieza Forest, eastern Poland. Stands that had been managed for more than 100 years (cutting, planting, removal of dead wood) and stands that were partially protected in nature reserves (sporadic sanitary cutting, removal of dead wood until 2008) were compared with unmanaged stands in the Bialowieza National Park by surveying the bird community during three breeding seasons (2010-2012). Surveys were conducted within three forest habitats: spruce-pine (Pino-Quercetum), lime-hornbeam (Tilio-Carpinetum) and ash-alder (Fraxino-Alnetum). Results showed that habitat structure significantly affected the avian community. The basal area of live trees had a positive effect on abundance of birds, while the density of live trees had negative significant effect on bird abundance and species diversity. We also found significantly lower abundance of insectivorous birds and cavity-nesters in managed compared to unmanaged stands. Birds’ assembly in the spruce-pine and ash-alder stands were most sensitive to management. These results show both that management can be used to sustain bird communities, including species of conservation concern, and that inappropriate management may harm them.

Summary: Many woodpecker species are known to be sensitive to the removal of dead wood. In 1999–2001 and 2007–2009 woodpeckers and dead wood abundance were studied in coniferous stands of the Białowieża Forest, Poland. Transects (3.9–6 km long) were established in three zones of different types of management: 1) primeval, unmanaged stands (BNP); 2) partially managed nature reserve (RES); 3) heavily managed stands (MAN). Woodpeckers were counted along transects three times per season, and tree stand measurements (number of standing and fallen trees, diameter at breast height, volume of fallen logs) were made once every three years. Woodpecker indices were highest in BNP and lowest in RES in both three-year study periods. The highest number of species (seven) was recorded in RES. Indices of four woodpeckers including two focal species (Three-toed WoodpeckerPicoides tridactylusand White-backed WoodpeckerDendrocopos leucotos) were dependent on the basal area of dead standing trees. The same relation was found for the whole woodpecker assemblage. The highest indices were recorded in BNP, where the highest density of dead standing trees was recorded, and the lowest in the MAN transect with the lowest density of dead trees. However in the RES plot the amount of dead wood was much lower than in the national park. We recommend that the management regulations in Polish nature reserves be changed. In coniferous reserves, it would be best to leave at least 2 m²ha^-1(basal area) of freshly killed sprucePiceasp. after each bark beetle outbreak.

The Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos major in spite of its broad food niche may prefer some trees or places on them during foraging. Different preferences for foraging sites can also be found in males and females, which may minimize competition for food between them. The main goal of our study was to define sex-specific use of foraging sites of the Great Spotted Woodpecker, in the primeval oak-hornbeam-lime forest of the Białowieża National Park, E Poland. This forest has never been logged and is distinguished by the structure of great vertical and horizontal diversity, high amount of dead wood and trees which reach large dimensions. Therefore, there are a large number of potential foraging sites, and some trees, due to their species or condition, may be particularly preferred in this respect. Our study revealed that the foraging sessions of woodpeckers were longer on the dead parts of trees than on alive ones which were especially noticeable in the case of females. The longest foraging sessions were found on dead parts of Norway Spruce Picea abies for both sexes. The males foraged the longest at high altitudes (> 20 m above the ground) on thin parts of trees (diameter 5–10 cm) whereas females on sites above 15 m and on thicker parts of tree (diameter 10–20 cm). Moreover, the duration of foraging session of females increased with increasing of trunk diameter at breast height, which was not revealed in males.

Carp ponds are inhabited mainly by aquaculture fishes but also harbor alien unwanted species that may threaten native fish assemblages when escape from the ponds. In the current study fish communities of inflow and outflow watercourses (canals) of the fish ponds in two typical common carp fish farms were studied. The results revealed that outflow canals contained cultured fish that escaped from the ponds. Invasive alien species (IAS) were also observed e.g. stone moroko (Pseudorasbora parva) and Prussian carp (Carasus gibelio). On the other hand, the canals harbored valuable endangered fish e.g. common nase (Chondrostoma nasus) or brown trout (Salmo trutta) and protected species stone loach (Barbatula barbatula). We have shown that fish ponds affect neighboring watercourses, and that the canals themselves can contribute to the species richness of ichthyofauna. Therefore, monitoring of these ecosystems should be carried out on a regular basis.

We studied the species richness, diversity, abundance and guild composition of spider assemblages on the hummocks and in the hollows of the alder carr in the Białowieża National Park. We also assessed the effect of vegetation structure and soil humidity on spiders settled in these two microhabitats. The spiders were collected from 10 May until 27 October 2001 by pitfall trapping. The main factor which differed between the hummocks and the hollows was soil humidity. In the case of vegetation cover we found some differences between the microhabitats but it was particularly evident in the case of litter, which was higher on the hummocks. Spider species diversity was significantly higher on the hummocks than in the hollows, but the number of individuals captured in both microhabitats was similar. The collected spiders belonged to six guilds and the proportion of spider individuals in particular guilds was significantly different between the hummocks and the hollows. The most abundant guild in both mi...