The aim of the study was enhancing the efficiency and accuracy of the method developed by Dyrness [1965] for the visual assessment of soil damage caused by wood extraction. The results achieved with the computer-aided and traditional version of the method were compared and used as a basis of the optimal wood extraction method. The computer processing of digital photographs involved the use of CorelDRAW 11, Auto-CAD R14 and Solid Edge V17 computer programmes. The proposed procedure providing support to the visual assessment of soil damage produces more reliable results. According to the performed assessment, the double horse skidding, resulting in the smallest disturb-ance area and causing the smallest soil compaction, proved to be most environmentfriendly wood extraction method.

A list of mites of several families found in the Zoological Collection in Munich is presented in this study. Following the analysis of the type material new synonyms have been suggested for several species. Moreover, all holotypes and paratypes have been specified.

The inventory carried out in the 19^th century historic park in Swadzim near Poznań recorded the total of 1886 trees, bushes and climbers deriving from 64 species. At the present time, the park is neglected and a plan for its revalorization is badly needed. Tree composition is dominated by Quercus robur, Robinia pseudoacacia, Acer pseudoplatanus, Carpinus betulus, Q. rubra and Fagus sylvatica, while that of bushes – by Sambucus nigra. The height of trees ranges from 16 to 20 m and their circumferences – from 45 to 114 cm; the health condition of the majority of trees is good or even very good. Single specimens of rare and threatened species were found to occur. The total of 101 splendid trees from 26 taxon were inventoried among which A. pseudoplatanus, A. platanoides, Aesculus hippocastanum, R. pseudoacacia and C. betulus dominated. In comparison with the Rataj’s inventory from 1976, transformations are apparent in the dendroflora of the park towards its naturalisation. The tree stand requires cutting and tending intervention.

The species composition of mesostigmatid mites in the red-backed shrike Lanius collurio and great grey shrike Lanius excubitor nests was studied in the Wielkopolska Region (Central Poland). Totally 15 samples (bird nests) were collected in May 1999. As a result of that study 81 mites were identified and classified to 13 species. The most numerous species was Alliphis halleri.

The aim of the study was to determine physico-mechanical properties of OSB subjected to the boiling test. The tests were conducted on OSB/3 and OSB/4 of 12, 15 and 22 mm in thickness, produced in the years 2002 and 2009. All tested boards were resinated in the core layers with PMDI, while in the face layers MUPF was applied. It results from the tests that OSB/3 of 15 mm in thickness and OSB/4 exhibit very high resistance to the boiling test and their high initial physico-mechanical parameters make it possible to satisfy the respective standards also after the test.