Aims of research

• Learning about the structure of nature functioning within landscapes of varied degree of anthropogenic transformation;

• Learning about the directions and dynamics of landscape transformation in specially protected areas;

• Elaboration of models of ecological structure of landscape in various regions;

• Elaboration of models of urban processes occurring in especially naturally precious regions;

• Elaboration of methods and techniques of harmonizing spatial management with ecological structure of landscape.
   

Short characteristics of research:
Methods of research.

•  Cartometrical comparative analysis;

• Comparative analysis of aerial photographs made in subsequent time intervals;

• Investigating the changes in physical and chemical parameters of surface waters in time and space;

• Investigating the processes of plant succession, particularly in water-peatbog areas;

• Evaluation of ecosystem and landscape diversity;

• Comparative analysis of agreements about local spatial management plans;

• Research on size and structure of tourist traffic in protected areas;

• Interdisciplinary synthesis;

• Shaping of the ecological structure of landscape;

• Shaping of urban processes;

• Methodological elaboration;
   

Main research areas:
The research is focused on especially naturally precious regions of central-eastern and central Poland, such as:

• Łęczna – Włodawa Lakekand

• Suwalskie – Augustów Lakeland

• Dolina Wisły Środkowej (Mid-Vistula River valley)

• Niecka Nidziańska (Nida Syncline)

• Roztocze
   

Main scientific achievements:
Among main scientific achievements are:
 

• Elaboration of the theory outline on structure and functioning of natural space.

• Elaboration of the method of delimitation of basic natural spatial units.

• Elaboration of zone-belt-knot model of ecological structure of landscape.

• Elaboration of the methodological conception of spatial planning system harmonizing nature and economy.
   

Main practical achievements (implementation):
Among the main enforcements are:
elaboration of projects and documentations which became the basis for establishing of:

• Polesie National Park (about 10 000 ha), West Polesie Biosphere Reserve (about 190 000 ha), Complex of 3 Ponidzie Landscape Parks (about 39 000 ha).

• Elaboration of nature protection plan for Kampinos National Park and Sobibór Landscape Park.

• Coordination of work on the realisation of 2 major restoration programmes in water-peatbog areas.
   

Publications related to the study subject:

1. Chmielewski T. J. 1999. Evaluation of biological and landscape diversity of large spatial arrangements on the basis of Lublin voivodship (in Polish, English summary). In: Conditions for biological and landscape diversity protection (in Polish). Ryszkowski L., Bałazy S. (eds.). Zakład Badań Środowiska Rolniczego i Leśnego PAN, Poznań, pp. 99-114;

2. Chmielewski T. J. 1999. Selected problems of nature protection planning in landscape parks of Lublin voivodship (in Polish, English summary). Przegląd Przyrodniczy, 10: 145-162;

3. Chmielewski T. J. (ed.) 2000. International Biosphere Reserve “West Polesie:” project of harmonization of nature and culture (in Polish, English summary). Poleski Park Narodowy, Wojewoda Lubelski. Wydawnictwo MAGIC, Lublin, pp. 1-120;

4. Chmielewski T. J. 2000. Programs of water-peatbog ecosystems restoration in Lublin region in the years 1992-2000: methodological principles, realization, effects (in Polish). In: Restoration of natural objects – ecological and economical aspects (in Polish). Michalczyk Z. (ed). Wydawnictwo UMCS, Lublin, pp. 22-44;

5. Chmielewski T. J. 2000. Implementing Sustainable Development in Particularly Valuable Natural Regions: The example of Łęczna-Włodawa Lakeland. In: Sustainable development – an European View. Dudzińska M., Pawłowski A. (eds.). Zeszyty Naukowe Komitetu Człowiek i Środowisko PAN, vol. 27, Lublin, pp. 1-146;

6. Chmielewski T. J. 2001 – System of Spatial Planning Harmonising Nature and Economy (in Polish, English summary). Politechnika Lubelska, Lublin, Vol. 1-2: 1 – 294 + 1 – 143.

7. Chmielewski T. J. 2001. Łęczna Włodawa Lakeland: changes in the ecological structure of landscape and conditions for spatial management (in Polish, English summary). Monografie Komitetu Inżynierii Środowiska PAN, vol. 4, Lublin, pp. 1-146;

8. Chmielewski T. J., Lorens B., Radwan S. 2001. Ecological Effects of Wetland Restoration in the Piwonia River Valley. Society for Ecological Restoration News 14: 22-23;

9. Chmielewski T. J., Harasimiuk M. 2002 – The analysis of conditions of sustainable deelopment of the Polesie Lubelskie Region (in Polish, English summary). In: Natural Environment of Polesie Region: Actual state and Changes. Acta Agrophysica No 66: 229 – 244.
    

Grants:

1. R.515 – Local spatial planning. Section 5.2 – Local planning on protected areas (1985 – 87),
2. CPBP 04.10.11 – Spatial bases of environment protection and shaping (1987 – 90),
3. CPBP 04.10.16 – Pollutants pathways in landscape (1987 – 90),
4. PBZ 059-01 – Bug Euroregion. Section 15: The scale of environment transformation and ecological politics (1995 – 97),
5. PBZ 018-05 – Complex programme for the activation and development of a village district situated within the protected area, on the example of Wąwolnica rural district (1996 – 98),
6. 6 P04F 05810 – Ecotones and their role in functioning of water-peatbog ecosystems within protected areas of Polesie Lubelskie (1997 – 99),
7. 7 T07F 02519 – Nature protection in the system of spatial planning of naturally precious areas (2000 – 2001),
8. 6P04G 029 19 – Natural bases of protection and renovation of water-peatbog ecosystems within the functional area of Polesie National Park, against the background of anthropogenic transformations of environment (2001 – 2002).