The paper presents an analysis of the structure of pine stands in the Szczecinek Forest District, taking account of their occurrence in 74% on former farmland. This may result in changes in the quantity and quality of the produced wood material. An additional factor that may lower the quality and productivity of pine stands, on situated unusual for forest former farmlands, is devastating effect of parasitic fungi, one of which is Heterobasidion annosus. Thus, it seems necessary to undertake an appropriate approach towards the use of wood coming from non-traditional forest growth conditions. This will enable to conduct sustainable forest management that would ensure the maintenance and development of regenerative potential of forest productivity.

The study comprised an analysis of two tree stability indexes, i.e. slenderness factor (H/D_1.3) and crown inclination index (D_K/H) of thirty six pines coming from twelve mature stands growing at diff erent sites. Apart from stability for each tree tracheid wall thickness was determined at breast height in early and late wood. Results showed that examined trees belong to a group considered to be stable (Figs. 2, 3), while investigated stability indexes are negatively correlated (−0.64). Next tracheid wall thickness was determined in early wood to be 2.11 ±0.21 μm and for late wood at 6.84 ±1.08 μm. No significant differences were found between examined plots in terms of investigated indexes or tracheid wall thickness in late wood. In contrast, statistically significant dependencies were observed between the analysed indexes and tracheid wall thickness in early and late wood. Slenderness factor was most strongly correlated with tracheid wall thickness in late wood. Moreover, a dependence was also found between crown inclination index and tracheid wall thickness in early wood, which most probably may be explained by the relationship between the tree crown, which width was one of the variables in D_K/H and hydraulic functions of anatomical elements. With an increase in the crown inclination index the mean tracheid wall thickness decreased, most probably leading to an increase in their lumen, which has a positive effect on their efficiency in conductivity of water and minerals.

The article describes 91T0 habitat resources in the Natura 2000 network. It is noted that Poland has a special responsibility for the maintenance of the habitat on the European continent, by virtue of its participation in Polish Natura 2000 sites and Poland’s request that it be added to Annex I of the Habitat Directive. It has been shown that the information about lichen Scots pine forest resources and their present condition in many Polish Natura 2000 sites need to be verified and updated. The authors conclude that the proposed methods for the maintenance of existing patches of habitat 91T0 at a favourable conservation status are too conservative and do not guarantee achievement of the conservation objectives. This paper proposes the removal of litter and humus or optionally controlled surface fires, as a method of ensuring a stable presence of lichen forests in the Polish landscape. The rationale for this approach is the accumulated knowledge in the field of development of the lichen forests in Poland and its role in ecological succession.

The study aimed to assess the financial expenditure of forest districts of the Regional Directorate of State Forests in Krakow on nature protection and preservation of biological diversity in forests. Selected categories of direct and indirect additional costs as well as alternative costs, incurred in the years of 2005–2009, were analysed. The greatest percentage share, of as much as 56%, in the structure of nature protection costs, was recorded for alternative costs. In the considered period, expenses incurred on nature protection and preservation of biological diversity amounted to 17.14 PLN/ha on average and 14 871.3 thous. PLN in total.

Budgeting is one of the most widely used management accounting tools supporting decision-making processes in companies. The idea of sustainable development has forced the managerial staff , to take into account the need for simultaneous consideration of economic conditions, ecological (environmental) and social issues. Therefore, the budgeting process also encompassed the eco-friendly activities of enterprises. This article presents some of the results of surveys on the involvement of accounting as a source of information about environmental activities of enterprises (presentation of research results concerning budgeting in the activities of pro-ecological enterprises).

Gnathotrichus materiarius (Fitch, 1858) is an alien species in the European fauna. In Poland, this species has not been recorded thus far, although it was assumed that it may be present. This paper presents the first site of G. materiarius in Poland. A single individual of the beetle was captured during monitoring activities of the Double-spined bark beetle – Ips duplicatus (Sahlb.) in the pheromone traps with ID Ecolure pheromone in the Kamienna Góra Forest District, Krzeszów forest circle. Selected aspects of this species’ ecology in the European conditions were discussed: capturing of Double-spined bark beetles in pheromone traps intended for various coniferous tree bark beetles, species’ low count, possibility of the presence of two generations in one season and vertical distribution at various heights above sea level.