Macrofungal sporocarp community in the lichen Scots pine forests.

The lichen-rich pine forests of represent special habitats protected under the Natura 2000 scheme. A rapid decline in their density has been observed in recent years. Macrofungi are an important component of the community and sensitive bioindicators; therefore, observations of the response of their sporocarps can be used to draw conclusions about changes induced in habitats.

Assessing the present levels of Cs in the remote ecosystem of Bjornoya (South Svalbard).

The remoteness and small size of Bjornoya (S Svalbard) make the island one of the most unreachable places in the Arctic. Limited accessibility contributes to still-existing knowledge gap on isotope accumulation in compartments of its ecosystem. Therefore, in this study we aimed to investigate the current concentration of Cs in the terrestrial samples of vascular plants, cryptogams, and soil collected on Bjornoya in 2021.

Distribution of Sr and Cs in biotic and abiotic elements of the coastal zone of the King George Island (South Shetland Archipelago, Antarctic Peninsula).

For many years Antarctic ecosystems have been considered pristine, however recent studies, including our results, contradict this assumption. Our comprehensive study on the activity of anthropogenic radioisotopes (Cs and Sr) in the most common species of green algae, bryophytes, lichens, and vascular plants, as well as soil and guano samples collected over a large area on King George Island (South Shetland Archipelago) in the austral summer 2018/2019 clearly indicate the importance of large-scale transport in shaping the level of pollution in areas very distant from potential sources of contamination. Additionally, radioisotope pollution can be measured even after a very long period (>60 years) since their occurrence.

Are Natural or Anthropogenic Factors Influencing Potentially Toxic Elements' Enrichment in Soils in Proglacial Zones? An Example from Kaffiøyra (Oscar II Land, Spitsbergen).

Arctic soils may hold potentially toxic elements (PTE); PTE can provide evidence of past or recent pollution. In this study, five soil profiles located on Oscar II Land (Kaffiøyra) were studied to (i) evaluate the ecological status of Kaffiøyra's soils based on the determination of the possible accumulation of PTE using pollution indices; and (ii) determine the possible origin of PTE enrichment (local factors vs. long-range sources) depending on the distance from the sea.

Tree height as the main factor causing disappearance of the terricolous lichens in the lichen Scots pine forests.

The lichen Scots pine forests habitats are undergoing rapid disappearance across Europe. Due to the semi-natural character of this habitat and an increase of the nitrification as a result of air pollution, determination of factors responsible for the decrease in lichen field layer cover requires a comprehensive approach. Our study aimed to investigate environmental factors necessary for the determination of active protection measures in order to maintain this vulnerable habitat.

Patterns and drivers of cryptogam and vascular plant diversity in glacier forelands.

Vascular and nonvascular plants are affected by environmental factors determining their distribution and shaping their diversity and cover. Despite the cryptogam commonness in Arctic communities, previous studies have often focused on limited number of factors and their impact on only selected species of vascular plants or cryptogams. Our study aimed to investigate in detail the differences in species diversity and cover of cryptogams and vascular plants in the glacier forelands and mature tundra on Svalbard.

A screening of select toxic and essential elements and persistent organic pollutants in the fur of Svalbard reindeer.

Reindeers play an important role in the polar ecosystem, being long-lived sole vegetarians feeding on local vegetation. They can be used as a valuable bioindicator, helping us to understand contaminants' impact on the polar terrestrial ecosystem. Still, scarce data exist from research in which polar herbivores (especially those from the European parts of the Arctic) were a major study subject for trace elements and persistent organic pollutant determination.

Organic carbon accumulation in the glacier forelands with regard to variability of environmental conditions in different ecogenesis stages of High Arctic ecosystems.

Recently deglaciated surfaces of glacier forelands are subjected to a variety of biotic and abiotic factors that lead to continuous soil formation. Until now, no attempt has been taken to analyse multiple factors that might affect soil development in the Arctic forelands. The main aim of this research was to determine the factors that influence soil development in the eight forelands of Svalbard.

Evaluation of the use of reindeer droppings for monitoring essential and non-essential elements in the polar terrestrial environment.

Excess or toxic metals, non-metals and metalloids can be eliminated from the organism by deposition in inert tissue (e.g. fur) or excretion with body secretions, urine and faeces.

Annual variability of heavy metal content in Svalbard reindeer faeces as a result of dietary preferences.

During both winter and summer, Svalbard reindeer selectively feed on different types of vegetation that are not only a source of nutritional value, but also a place of heavy metal accumulation. In the present study, the content of cadmium, chromium, copper, iron, lead, nickel, manganese, and zinc in reindeer excrement was measured. The main aims were to determine the seasonal content of several heavy metals in Svalbard reindeer faeces, and to compare their values in terms of dietary preferences during the year.