There is no sign of saturation in accumulation of alien species (AS) introductions worldwide, additionally the rate of spread for some species has also been shown to be increasing. However, the challenges of gathering information on AS are recognized. Recent developments in citizen science (CS) provide an opportunity to improve data flow and knowledge on AS while ensuring effective and high quality societal engagement with the issue of IAS (Invasive Alien Species). Advances in technology, particularly on-line recording and smartphone apps, along with the development of social media, have revolutionized CS and increased connectivity while new and innovative analysis techniques are emerging to ensure appropriate management, visualization, interpretation and use and sharing of the data. In early July 2018 we launched a European CO-operation in Science and Technology (COST) Action to address multidisciplinary research questions in relation to developing and implementing CS, advancing scientific understanding of AS dynamics while informing decision-making specifically implementation of technical requirements of relevant legislation such as the EU Regulation 1143/2014 on IAS. It will also support the EU biodiversity goals and embedding science within society. The Action will explore and document approaches to establishing a European-wide CS AS network. It will embrace relevant innovations for data gathering and reporting to support the implementation of monitoring and surveillance measures, while ensuring benefits for society and citizens, through an AS CS European network. The Action will, therefore, increase levels of participation and quality of engagement with current CS initiatives, ensuring and evaluating educational value, and improve the value outcomes for potential users including citizens, scientists, alien species managers, policy-makers, local authorities, industry and other stakeholders.

The study aims to identify long-term trends in the changes of drought occurrences using the Mann-Kendall (MK) test and the Theil-Sen estimator. Trend research was carried out on the example of the catchment area of the Upper Noteć River, which covers an agricultural area of Poland with some of the lowest water reserves. The meteorological droughts were identified based on the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI), while the hydrological droughts were determined on the basis of the Standardized Runoff Index (SRI) in various time scales (1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months) in the period of 1981–2016. The relationship between SPI and SRI was determined on the basis of the Pearson correlation analysis. The results showed that statistically significant trends (at the significance level of 0.05) were identified at 3 out of 8 meteorological stations (downward trend at Kłodawa station and upward trend for drought at Sompolno and Kołuda Wielka stations). Statistically significant hydrological droughts showed an increase in occurrences at the Łysek station, while a downward trend was noted at the Noć Kalina station. No trend was found at the Pakość station. The analysis of the correlation between meteorological and hydrological droughts showed a strong relationship in dry years. The maximum correlation coefficient was identified in longer accumulation periods i.e., 6 and 9 months. The example of the catchment of the Upper Noteć River points to the necessity of using several indicators in order to assess the actual condition of the water reserves.

Invasive alien species (IAS) is a global problem that largely relates to human activities and human settlements. To prevent the further spread of IAS, we first need to know their pattern of distribution, to determine which constitutes the greatest threat, and understand which habitats and migration pathways they prefer. Our research aimed to identify the main vectors and distribution pattern of IAS of plants in the city environment. We checked the relations between species distribution and such environmental factors as urban soil type and habitat type. We applied data on IAS occurrence (collected in the period 1973–2015) in 515 permanent plots with dimensions of 0.5 × 0.5 km and analyzed by direct ordination methods. In total, we recorded 66 IAS. We found a 27% variance in the IAS distribution pattern, which can be explained by statistically significant soil and habitat types. The most important for species distribution were: river and alluvial soils, forests and related rusty soils, and places of intensive human activities, including areas of urbisols and industriosols. Our results provide details that can inform local efforts for the management and control of invasive species, and they provide evidence of the different associations between natural patterns and human land use.

Inland salt marshes are recognized as habitats of unique and valuable vegetation at the European scale. There is still a lack of generalization regarding its vegetation syntaxonomy and environmental requirements, which is needed for its effective protection. To falsify our hypothesis about vegetation dependence on environmental requirements we aimed at description of the syntaxonomical units present in temperate European inland salt marshes and identification of their main environmental drivers. In our work we focused on the vegetation from the northern part of temperate salt marshes to limit confusion related to the geographical ranges of species. We collected the database of 968 vegetation plots from different European countries and applied the Cocktail method to analyze the data. Based on results, expert knowledge, existing syntaxonomical classifications and information from the literature, we identified diagnostic, constant and dominant species for individual syntaxonomical units. Then, we compiled maps of the vegetation unit distribution, and identified the most important environmental factors for the analyzed vegetation using statistical and multivariate methods, including canonical variate analysis. We classified the analyzed vegetation into nine classes, including two typical for salt-marsh vegetation - the Therosalicornietea and Festuco-Puccinellietea. Within these two classes, we distinguished two alliances and a total of five associations. The classes differ the most in terms of species preferences to salinity, soil moisture, light availability and soil nitrogen content. In addition salt marsh associations differ also by soil reaction and soil organic matter content. This provides direct implications for salt marsh sustainable management.

Zusammenfassung: Im Herbst 2020 entdeckte eine Gruppe von Detektorgängern auf einer bewaldeten Düne in der Nähe des Dorfes Cierpice in Nordzentralpolen 150 Bronzefunde. Der Fund umfasst Backenstücke, Phalerae, Rassel- und Terretringe sowie Zügelmanschetten mit Drahtgliedern, die einst Teil eines Pferdezaumzeugs aus der Endbronzezeit waren. Die Zaumzeugteile wurden zusammen mit einem Tüllenbeil in Pflanzenfasern eingewickelt und dann sorgfältig in einen organischen Beutel gelegt, der verrottet war. In diesem Artikel werden die Ergebnisse der archäologischen, metallographischen und paläobotanischen Untersuchungen des Hortes vorgestellt und diskutiert, unterstützt durch andere archäologisch dokumentierte Daten. Diese werden mit den Mustern der Bewegung und des Verbrauchs von Metallwaren im heutigen Polen während der Lausitzer Periode und dem weiteren Kontext der nordeuropäischen Bronzezeit in Beziehung gesetzt.