Variability of chosen climatic and hydrological elements in plants water needs context

Atmospheric and hydrological droughts are characteristic feature of natural environment in Poland. Observed changes of meteorological and hydrological conditions during the last 20-30 years may strengthen this phenomenon. Meteoro-logical and hydrological factors can influence negatively the amount of water ac-cessible for plants needs causing very serious problems for agriculture, especially in these regions of Poland where crop production is the basis of economy. One of such a regions is Wielkopolska. The main aim of this article is the analysis of trends of hydro-meteoro-logical indexes which can influence plant production in Wielkopolska Voivodship. The analysis is based on data from hydro-meteorological stations for growing season (April-September) covering years 1966-2005. The results of the analysis show that changes of precipitation, and as a consequence - runoff, were small and statistically not significant. The trends of the air temperature, sunshine duration and evapotranspiration were positive and statistically significant. As a result of these changes, the values of climatic water balance decreased. Direction of changes of the described indices in the Wielkopolska region indicates that water deficit during growing season will continue to worsen.     ...

The environmental values of a spa as a subject of demand on the tourism market

Spa town are usually areas highly attractive with regard to country lore and their natural environment. The environmental values of each spa influence their efficiency. Environmental values include: elements of tourist infrastructure, tourist attractions, tourist services which are in demand on the tourism market. Two spas from the Kotlina Jeleniogórska have been the subject of the study: Świeradów-Zdrój and Cieplice Śląskie-Zdrój. One may consider them to be the more efficient spas in the Lower Silesia region. To a certain degree, they owe the high level of curative services they provide, as well as the standard of their spa infrastructure, to the basic determinants of the area, which influence the spatial features of the spas. These determinants include: sources of therapeutic natural resources (the climate, mineral springs, peats, peloids); green patterns which are unique with regard to their aesthetic, historical and compositional values; the presence of neighbouring large forest complexes, which influence the climatic and therapeutic conditions and which provide an aesthetic background for the spa establishment; the spa's localisation within or in the vicinity of legally protected areas; its localisation in areas traditionally used for leisure; its localisation in ar-eas accessible through public transport (efficient communication routes).     ...