Robinia pseudoacacia L. is an interesting example of how one plant species can be considered invasive or useful depending on its environment. In the past this tree species was planted for decorative purposes and for wood in Poland. For many years it was recommended in poor and degraded habitats because it facilitated late-successional plant species. The aim of this study was to verify if black locust can still be regarded as a resistant tree species in urban greenery. The health condition of old tree specimens growing along streets and in parks was compared. The occurrence of pests and pathogens on R. pseudoacacia trees was assessed and the content of mineral elements in leaves was examined. The research results showed that the health of black locust trees growing in the urban environment in Polish cities, especially along streets (in comparison to park sites), deteriorated significantly due to the interaction of harmful biotic and abiotic factors. Increased level of toxic metals (Fe, Zn, Pb, Mn and Cd) in plant tissues and the accumulation of pests and pathogens negatively influenced the health of R. pseudoacacia.

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The phenomenon of outdoor advertising is particularly worrying in protected areas due to the limitation and depreciation of natural and landscape assets. The paper aims to identify and compare legal provisions concerning the advertising policy in relation to naturally and visually precious areas in Poland and Slovakia. Moreover, it determines the scale of visual pollution in a protected area – trends in the location, size, form and influence on the surroundings and perception. In both analysed countries there are regulations that would not bring the desired effects regarding the advertising policy. Advertisement devices are present in settlements and at significant road points, entrances to facilities connected with tourism. A point of concern is that they are frequently placed in the most precious landscape areas.

The aim of the article was to identify changes in the structure of land use and land cover in the context of spatial planning problems. The research was conducted on valley areas protected under the Natura 2000 programme and that are located within the zone of influence of a big city. The researchers analysed local planning documents to see whether they were in agreement with the aims of the protection programme. The Natura 2000 areas located in the Commune of Stęszew, Poznań County were chosen for a case study. The article describes recurrent problems and phenomena that are typical of the protected areas and that are simultaneously affected by the pressure of urbanisation. GIS tools were used to make a comparative analysis of six categories of land use forms in three research periods and to calculate the indicator of land cover variance. Since the 1980s, the areas under study have been affected by changes in land use. They have been manifested by a higher forestation rate, increasing numbers of developed areas, and a decrease in farmland area. The percentage of other components of the land cover structure has not changed much. In view of environmental protection, the changes proposed in spatial plans are a matter of special concern. The territory under analysis is characterised by a very high land cover variance indicator referring to the developed area, whereas the indicators referring to farmland and wetland areas are negative. It is particularly difficult to apply the rule of sustainable development in the areas. The protection of natural values and the developmental needs of the commune stand in opposition to each other and cause spatial planning conflicts.

Refuge habitats have a stabilising effect on the entomofauna in the agricultural landscape. The objective of this research was to follow the migrant activity of aphids in two types of refuge habitats: shrubs and roadsides of rural areas. Moericke traps method were used for testing the seasonal activity of aphids. The dynamics of species numbers were assessed, and the phenology of the dominating taxa was examined. From 2008 to 2010, more than 5,000 winged aphids from 94 species were caught in shrub habitats, and 83 species were caught in rural roadside habitats. The characteristics of aphid groups were defined on the basis of selected indicators.Annually, in both locations, flight activity was shown by a group of several taxa. The rank position of the species was varied in the particular sites and years of the research. Species participation differed when analysing aphid flights, so the seasons were divided into three separate periods: spring, summer, and autumn.