Cultural ecosystem services (CES) play a key role in the sustainable development of rural areas—yet they remain poorly quantified in planning practice. This study examines the relationship between the supply and demand of CES provided by various types of Ecological Focus Areas (EFAs) in a rural landscape, using the municipality of Sosnowica (eastern Poland) as a case study. Landscapes such as forests, agricultural land, wetlands, and inland waters were evaluated using a set of biophysical and socio-economic indicators that reflect both their potential (supply) and actual use (demand) in terms of services such as recreation, landscape aesthetics, and cultural heritage. The findings reveal significant spatial disparities between CES supply and demand: forests and inland waters exhibit the highest supply potential, while agricultural land shows untapped opportunities in tourism and recreation. Wetlands, in particular, face notable service deficits—highlighting the need for targeted infrastructure and management interventions. Statistical analyses (Pearson correlation, Kruskal–Wallis test, Tukey HSD test) confirmed that the key factors shaping CES are accessibility and environmental attractiveness. The results indicate that CES mapping is a valuable tool for supporting sustainable rural planning, reinforcing local identity, counteracting depopulation, and stimulating socio-economic development.

Progressive urbanization and increasing pressure on urban green areas necessitate the search for innovative, ecological, and efficient solutions for lawn management. The shallow root system of grasses, combined with a long vegetation period, makes these plants particularly sensitive to water and nutrient deficiencies. One research direction involves the use of zeolites, natural aluminosilicate minerals that, due to their porous structure and high sorption capacity, improve water retention and nutrient availability in soil. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of different zeolite doses on the initial growth and development of two turfgrass species (Lolium perenne, Festuca rubra), as well as on selected lawn performance traits, and to determine the persistence of these effects over time. This research was conducted in 2020–2023 under pot and micro-plot experiment conditions, using mixtures containing the above species. Four levels of zeolite addition to the substrate were applied: 0% (control), 1%, 5%, and 10%. The results clearly confirmed the beneficial effects of zeolite. Its addition improved the germination, growth, and biomass yield of aboveground parts and roots, as well as enhancing turf aesthetics, ground cover, and winter hardiness, while reducing the proportion of dicotyledonous species. The best effects were obtained with the 5% dose, which should be considered optimal—it significantly improved lawn utility parameters with lower material input compared to the 10% dose. Species response varied: L. perenne responded more strongly to improved water–air conditions, whereas F. rubra utilized higher zeolite doses more effectively in root system development. The highest overall effectiveness was recorded with the 10% dose. Zeolite effectiveness was greatest in the first year after application, showing a declining trend in subsequent years, although a positive effect was still observed in the third year of use. The findings support the recommendation of zeolite as an ecological soil additive that enhances lawn quality and durability, particularly in low-fertility soils and under water deficit conditions. Its application may represent an important component of modern green space management technologies in line with the principles of sustainable development.

Selenium biofortification of permanent grasslands represents a promising strategy for enhancing the nutritional quality of forage for livestock. This study evaluated the effectiveness of foliar selenium biofortification in multispecies grass–legume mixtures as affected by application rate, timing, and seed mixture. The study was conducted over three consecutive growing seasons (2023–2025), with a total of 648 aboveground herbage samples collected for analysis. Three multispecies mixtures were treated with four rates of a Se-containing formulation (0.0, 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 L ha⁻¹) applied at two different sward heights (10 and 15 cm). Selenium concentration was determined in the plant dry matter, and treatment effects were assessed using non-parametric statistical analyses. The application rate was the only factor that significantly affected Se concentration in the plant material. Se concentration increased progressively as the application rate increased. Mean Se concentrations were 0.035 mg kg⁻¹ at 0.0 L ha⁻¹, 0.077 mg kg⁻¹ at 0.5 L ha⁻¹, 0.086 mg kg⁻¹ at 1.0 L ha⁻¹, and 0.115 mg kg⁻¹ at 1.5 L ha⁻¹, corresponding to increases of 120.0%, 145.7%, and 228.6%, respectively, relative to the control. In contrast, neither the plant growth stage at application nor the species composition of the mixtures significantly affected Se accumulation (p > 0.05). The results demonstrate that foliar application of Se is an effective strategy for increasing Se concentration in multispecies grass–legume mixtures. Among the factors examined, the application rate showed the most pronounced effect on the effectiveness of Se biofortification, whereas no statistically significant effects were detected for application timing or seed mixture under the conditions of the present study. However, the lack of a statistically significant effect of seed mixture should not be interpreted as evidence that mixture composition is irrelevant to Se biofortification. Differences in species composition may influence Se uptake, translocation, assimilation, and accumulation through species-specific physiological responses and interactions among species within the sward. These aspects warrant further investigation, particularly through a detailed assessment of the actual species composition of the sward during the experimental period. Overall, the findings indicate that foliar Se biofortification may represent a flexible and practical approach for producing Se-enriched forage under diverse cultivation conditions.

Biofortification of permanent grasslands with selenium is a promising strategy for improving the nutritional quality of animal feed. This study assessed the effectiveness of foliar selenium biofortification in multi-species grass and legume mixtures as affected by application rate, application timing, and species composition. Three multi-species mixtures were treated with four application rates of a selenium preparation applied at two developmental stages. Selenium content in plant dry matter was determined, and treatment effects were evaluated using nonparametric statistical analyses. Application rate had a significant effect on selenium content. Selenium content increased progressively with increasing application rate, demonstrating a clear dose–response relationship, with the highest application rate resulting in the highest biofortification efficiency. However, neither plant developmental stage nor species composition significantly affected selenium accumulation (p > 0.05). These results demonstrate that foliar selenium biofortification is an effective approach for increasing selenium content in multi-species grass and legume mixtures. Application rate was identified as the primary factor determining biofortification efficiency. The absence of significant effects of application timing and species composition suggests that selenium enrichment can be achieved under a wide range of management conditions, making this approach a practical strategy for producing selenium-enriched forage.