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This study concerns the design of a geocultural site in Huta Różaniecka. It is one of 166 sites prepared for the Kamienny Las na Roztoczu (Roztocze Stone Forest) Geopark project. The site is distinguished, on the one hand, by its interesting geology and geomorphology (exposures of Miocene sea shore with numerous fossils) and, on the other hand, by its quarries, stonemasonry traditions, and buildings (ruins of the Greek Catholic church). The aim of this paper is to present a model for building specialized documentation using a wide range of source materials, methods (field inventory, queries, interviews, high-precision Light Detection and Ranging-LiDAR measurements), tools (Leica ScanStation C10 laser scanner), and techniques (photography, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle-UAV, Terrestrial Laser Scanning-TLS). The applied research procedure model led to the construction of specialized documentation relating to the spatial dimension, natural features, and cultural context of the site. Taking into account the collected data, it should be concluded that the projected geocultural site at Huta Różaniecka, irrespective of the creation of a geopark, has great potential to build a tourist product that is attractive to a wide range of visitors.

Detailed research on the content of heavy metals in ground and surface waters in the upper Sanna River catchment was initiated in 2013. The investigations were conducted in one of the most promising areas of potential shale gas extraction, in which the Frampol 1 test wellbore was drilled in 2012 (SE Poland, Roztocze Region). In the area of the wellbore, hydrochemical analyses of the waters of the river drainage zone were performed. Water was sampled from six objects representing soil water, porous groundwater, fissure-layer groundwater, and river water. The hydrological regime of groundwater and surface water was analysed based on data obtained from automatic recorders of water levels and results of periodic measurements of water flow. In 2013, water was sampled on a monthly basis for determination of the levels of Ba, Sr, Al, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Cd, Co, Cr, Ni, As, V, Rb, Pb, Th, and U. The analysis results showed that the concentration of Sr was usually in the range of 100–400 µg/L, Fe 10–100 µg/L, Ba 10–40 µg/L, and Mn, Al, and Zn 1–10 µg/L. The concentration of the other metals generally did not exceed 1 µg/L. The concentrations of the elements analysed in the zone of drinking water intake were within the range specified by Polish and WHO standards. Significant differences were found in the metal content in the analysed waters; they were related to the water intake site, form of land management, and hydrometeorological conditions. The highest metal content was recorded in soil and river waters and the lowest in the spring waters of the main water-bearing horizon. At the current stage of the research, no impact of the Frampol 1 shale gas exploration wellbore on the metal content in the upper Sanna River catchment was found.

In the upland geosystems of the moderate climate zone, any change in the conditions of functioning of a catchment causes a response of the system involving variable dynamics of fluvial processes (Gregory, Walling 1973; Schumm 1977, 1981; Kostrzewski, Szpikowski 2003; Świeca, Kociuba 2007). In the conditions of low anthropopressure, the direction and intensity of the processes modelling the valley bottom are determined by environmental factors, i.e. the geology and lithology of sediments, and land relief, and climate-driven factors, i.e. precipitation and groundwater supply determining water and sediment discharge rate (Froehlich 1982; Kostrzewski et al. 1994; Krzemień 1999; Dearing, Jones 2003, Meybeck et al. 2003; Kociuba et al. 2003; Świeca, Kociuba 2007; Rodzik et al. 2008). In the conditions of strong anthropopressure, the processes of transformation of the valley bottom can be largely accelerated due to disturbances in the stability of the catchment’s environmental conditions. Their geomorphological ef fects are manifested in changes in the channel shape (in the plan and cross profile), and in the modelling of the zone outside the channel, as a result of both flood and delluvial sediment deposition, particularly in the mouth zones of dry valleys and erosional dissections (Bork 1989; Rodzik et al. 2008; Brown 2009). Transformations of valley landforms resulting from changes in natural conditions and anthropopressure on the valley system can be traced based on the example of the meridional part of the Roztocze section of the Wieprz River valley (Fig. 1) - a typical medium-sized upland river of the moderate climate zone (Rodzik et al. 2008). The modern relief of the alluvial plain of the Roztocze fragment of the Wieprz River valley results from complex morphogenetic processes (Kociuba, Brzezińska-Wójcik 2002; Kociuba, Superson 2004). The primary morphostructural features developed with the contribution of tectonic movements in the Neogene and Early Pleistocene. In the Middle Pleistocene, fluvioglacial accumulation was of particular importance. The current course of the valley along the analysed section developed in the conditions of periglacial climate in the Upper Pleistocene. The lithological conditions and location in the zone of loess deposition (in the Late Glacial) determined the alternate occurrence of natural narrowings and bottom widenings with a shape of a basin. In the Holocene, the flat flood bottom developed, with numerous traces of lateral migration of the channel (Kociuba, Superson 2004) W artykule przedstawiono transformacje dna roztoczańskiego odcinka doliny Wieprza, determinowane czynnikami naturalnymi oraz antropogenicznymi, które miały miejsce w ciągu kilku ostatnich tysiącleci. W rekonstrukcji rozwoju wykorzystano metody fotointerpretacyjne i kartowanie geomorfologiczno-geologiczne. Datowanie wieku pobranych prób osadów organogenicznych (torfy, namuły torfiaste) pozwoliło na odniesienie rejestrowanych zdarzeń do okresów zróżnicowanej antropopresji na obszarze zlewni i jej skutków. Okresy zróżnicowanej antropopresji skutkowały intensywnymi przekształcaniami form dna i zboczy doliny, odzwierciedlonymi zróżnicowaniem osadów powodziowych w profilu pionowym. Ich miąższość i litologia stanowi czytelny zapis transformacji pod wpływem czynników naturalnych - np. okresowego uwilgotnienia klimatu oraz antropogenicznych - np. intensywności oraz sposobu zagospodarowania dna i zboczy doliny. Starsze poziomy stożków napływowych odpowiadają okresom intensywnej deforestacji obszaru zlewni, zaś młodsze - zmianom sposobu zagospodarowania i wprowadzaniem upraw okopowych. Zmiany w litologii osadów równi zalewowej świadczą o okresowym uaktywnianiu procesów erozyjnych warunkowanych czynnikami naturalnymi (klimat), ale uruchomionych w wyniku zmian w sposobie i strukturze użytkowania. Z kolei obniżenie antropopresji w środowisku dolinnym na obszarze dorzecza skutkuje szybką renaturyzacją środowiska zlewni den dolinnych.

The article summarises the results of observations conducted in the periods 1989-1992, 1998–2000, and 2001–2003 in the catchment of the Roztocze section of the Wieprz River with an area of 404 km2. The presented results of the study on fluvial transport document the response of an upland river to variable hydro-climatic conditions. Fluvial transport rate in periods extreme in hydrological terms was compared. In the conditions of low water stages (1989–1992) and mean annual discharges lower than the mean multiannual by 19%, the Wieprz River discharged an average of 13300 tonnes of solutions and 485 tonnes of suspensions annually. The unitary indices amounted to 32.7 and 1.2 t/km2/year, respectively. In the years 1998–2000, in the conditions of high water stages and mean annual discharges higher than the multiannual by 41%, the Wieprz River discharged approximately 22,800 tonnes of solutions and 981 tonnes of suspensions annually. The unitary indices increased proportionately to 56.2 t/km2/year and 2.4 t/km2/year, respectively. In the years 2001–2003, in the conditions of variable water stages and discharges higher than the multiannual by 12%, the Wieprz River discharged an average of approximately 17,500 tonnes of solutions and 441 tonnes of suspensions annually. The unitary indices reached the values of 43.3 t/km2/year and 1.1 t/km2/year, respectively.

Wąwozy drogowe Wyżyny Lubelskiej i Roztocza oraz sposoby ich zabezpieczania przed procesami niszczącymi The paper presents spatial distribution of road gullies on the Lublin Upland and Roztocze. An analysis of conditions affecting the development of road gullies was made. Most important factors determining their development are: types of deposits, levelling, slope, terrain usage and small agriculture parcels. Basing on digitized topographic maps (1:10 000 scale) calculations of length and density inside the geomorphological regions and hexagon fields (10 square kilometers) were made. The present activity of geomorphopolical processes affecting road gullies, methods of protection and their effectiveness against destruction were characterized.

Gleby Roztocza The publication outlines the characteristics of the soils found in Roztocze on the Polish and Ukrainian territory. The map enclosed (scale 1:500 000) illustrates their location. It shows that the complex from lessives and brown soils formed of loess dominates in Roztocze on the Polish side, mainly in its western part. Both in Central and Eastern Roztocze, predominant areas are covered with brown loamy soils, formed of cretaceous gaizes. The same applies to rusty and podzolic soils formed from loose sands and slightly loamy and loamy sands. Other soil units do not cover significant areas. In general, in Roztocze on the Ukrainian territory there are the same soils with a few exceptions. Large areas are covered with lessives and brown soils formed from non-uniform silt formations and rusty with podzolic soils formed from slightly loamy, loamy and loose sands.

The paper presents a systematic list of vascular plant species recorded at 78 cemeteries in the Roztocze region and surrounding areas. 543 species belonging to 75 families were recorded. Of these, 99 foreign and 43 native species were cultivated. 41 species introduced by humans to cemeteries can be regarded as the so-called established cemetery species. These species, once planted on graves, continue to grow or even spread after people stopped cultivating them.

Lublin Upland and Roztocze region are known for the occurrence of a large number of springs of high yield. These springs are fed mainly from Cretaceous or Tertiary water-bearing horizon. In order to determine variability of springs' yield, 61 selected springs were analysed in spring periods of the years 1998-2008. Collected hydrometric materials allowed for comparing average and extreme yield values of springs in various physiographic regions within the period of 11 years. Average value was 76.1 dm³·s⁻¹, while the mean of the minimal yields was 44.7 dm³·s⁻¹ and of the maximal - 132.7 dm³·s⁻¹. Coefficient of irregularity of the springs' yield ranged from 1.5 to 5.0, which may lead to the conclusion that the springs' yield is constant or varies slightly. In some cases the irregularity was higher but it was determined by hydrogeological, meteorological and local factors.

In order to help develop a better understanding of relevant catchment processes, this paper presents the changes in physico-chemical features of the Wieprz River water during the spring snowmelt flood of 2006. The obtained results showed that the groundwater sampled from the springs and the water sampled from the river had a similar and quite stable composition of the basic physicochemical features in the period of solely groundwater feeding (the river is fed only with the water coming from underground sources). The physico-chemical composition of river water during snowmelt depended on the contribution of surface runoff in total outflow and the flood phase. The correlation coefficients between the discharge in the Wieprz River and the concentrations in the studied indices were significantly negative: pH, SEC, HCO3, Ca, Mg, Na, Sr, SiO2, Cl, SO4, F. Significantly positive correlations associated with an increase in discharge were observed in the case of: K, NO3, NO2, total organic carbon, chemical oxygen demand and biochemical oxygen demand. Step and bidirectional responses were noted during the snowmelt flood in the case of the content of NH4 and PO4. W pracy przedstawiono zmiany cech fizyczno-chemicznych wody rzeki Wieprz w Guciowie (SE Polska) w czasie wiosennego wezbrania roztopowego 2006 roku. Wyniki badań wykazały, że wody gruntowe pobrane ze źródeł oraz wody pobrane z koryta rzeki Wieprz w okresie wyłącznego zasilania podziemnego, miały zbliżony i stabilny skład podstawowych wskaźników fizyczno-chemicznych. Podczas roztopów wartości parametrów fizyczno-chemicznych wody w rzece były uzależnione od stopnia przemarznięcia pokrywy glebowej, udziału spływu powierzchniowego w odpływie całkowitym oraz fazy wezbrania. Współczynniki korelacji między przepływem wody w rzece Wieprz a stężeniem badanego wskaźnika były istotne ujemne w przypadku: pH -0,78, SEC -0,92, TH -0,92, HCO3 -0,93, Ca -0,89, Mg -0,88, Na -0,81, Sr -0,87, SiO2 -0,81, Cl -0,87, SO4 -0,83, F -0,59. Istotnie dodatnie zależności związane ze zwiększeniem przepływu zanotowano w przypadku: K 0,73, NO3 0,71, NO2 0,58, TOC 0,62, COD 0,63 i BOD 0,62. Skokową i różnokierunkową reakcję podczas wezbrania roztopowego notowano w przypadku: NH4 0,34 i PO4 0,13.

The occurrence of aquatic beetles in the Roztocze Upland was researched, which is one of the most environmentally valuable areas of the south-east Poland. During 6 years (1999 and 2002-2005), at 126 sites 138 species were recorded, from which the most interesting were: Gyrinus paykulli, Haliplus laminatus, H. sibiricus, Hydrovatus cuspidatus, Hydroporus fuscipennis, H. memnonius, Hydroporus scalesianus, Deronectes latus, Rhantus incognitus, Graphoderus bilineatus, Dytiscus circumflexus, Berosus signaticollis, Laccobius striatulus, Enochrus bicolor, E. fuscipennis, Cercyon bifenestratus, C. granarius, Hydraena excisa and Dryops viennensis. The ecological analysis of the material was conducted and evaluated with regard to significance of Roztocze for protection of aquatic beetles and defining natural values of the region. It turned out that Roztocze is characterized by rich fauna, very well preserved in most habitats and this region has a great significance of keeping qualitative wealth, assemblages and particular species of beetles - in the range of the whole country and Eastern Europe. Badano występowanie chrząszczy wodnych na Roztoczu, jednym z najcenniejszych przyrodniczo obszarów Polski południowo-wschodniej. W ciągu 6 lat (1999 i 2002-2005) na 126 stanowiskach wykazano 138 gatunków, z których najbardziej interesujące były: Gyrinus paykulli, Haliplus laminatus, H. sibiricus, Hydrovatus cuspidatus, Hydroporus fuscipennis, H. memnonius, Hydroporus scalesianus, Deronectes latus, Rhantus incognitus, Graphoderus bilineatus, Dytiscus circumflexus, Berosus signaticollis, Laccobius striatulus, Enochrus bicolor, E. fuscipennis, Cercyon bifenestratus, C. granarius, Hydraena excisa i Dryops viennensis. Przeprowadzono analizę ekologiczną materiału oraz oceniono go pod kątem znaczenia Roztocza dla ochrony chrząszczy wodnych i określenia walorów przyrodniczych regionu. Okazało się, że Roztocze cechuje fauna bogata, bardzo dobrze zachowana w większości środowisk, i że ten region ma duże znaczenie dla zachowania bogactwa jakościowego, zgrupowań i poszczególnych gatunków chrząszczy - w skali całego kraju i Europy Środkowo-Wschodniej.