Technical & networking sessions slot 2

See the presentation on Urban Agriculture

This session will present the results of research on climate change, and its impact on aquatic, agricultural and forest ecosystems, and how it affects rural and urban landscapes. We will also put a focus on the interactions between these systems. Specializing in these issues research teams from the Warsaw University of Life Sciences have achieved in this area of scientific results are very high reputation in the world.

Three key sectors the panel will address

1. Water
2. Forestry
3. Landscape

Research the panel will discuss

Prof. J. Chojnicki, Systems of agricultural production – global changes of climate

Agricultural plant production has significant impact on global changes of climate. Emission of greenhouse gas by cultivated plants: carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide effects on global growth of temperature. Contents of humus in agricultural soils has effects on carbon sequestration and the decrease of carbon dioxide concentration in air.

Systems of agriculture, such as intensive, integrated, organic farming have specific impacts on the emission of greenhouse gas and level sequestration of carbon in soil and are affecting the global modifications of climate in a different manner.

Prof. E. Pierzgalski, Water management in rural areas in changing climate

Climate change will create different effects in agriculture and forestry, with predominantly negative consequences. Proper water management can help in reducing or mitigating these negative consequences. The current state of water infrastructure in rural areas in Poland, is in need of radical improvement and modernization in face of the challenges of progressive climate change. Modernization should take into account technological progress, economic conditions, control systems and environmental protection requirements. The session will introduce methods of upgrading water systems based on past experience, as well as forecasts of future climate conditions.

Dr. A.Cieszewska, Rural landscape: from food security to a better environment

The concept of ecosystem services sheds new light on rural landscapes and their importance for society. The session will present examples of ecosystem services provided by rural areas in Poland in various regions. In traditional agro-forest landscapes provisioning ecosystem services prevail while, in metropolitan areas, new services provided by rural landscapes can be witnessed.

Dr Renata Giedych, Urban agriculture: structure, functions, future challenges

The research looks at new approaches to agriculture in urban areas. Old and new structures include: arable lands, allotment gardens, community gardens, urban farms, sky farms. New functions for agricultural land in cityscapes covers food supply, social functions (education, recreation, social cohesion) and environmental services (climate regulation, water purification, sustaining biodiversity).

Contact details: Emilka.Janeczko@wl.sggw.pl

Speakers

• Emilia Janeczko

  Assistant Professor, the Department of Forest Utilization, Faculty of Forestry at Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Poland

• Agata Cieszewska

  Geographer, environmental planner, and associate professor at the Department of Landscape Architecture, University of Life Sciences, Warsaw

• Edward Pierzgalski

  Professor in Environmental Science, Warsaw University of Life Sciences

• Renata Giedych

  Associate professor at the Department of Landscape Architecture, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Poland

• Michał Zasada

  Associate professor at the Faculty of Forestry, Warsaw University of Life Sciences - SGGW

• Tomasz Okruszko

  Professor and head of division of Hydrology and Water Resources, Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Warsaw University of Life Sciences

• Józef Chojnicki

  Head of department of Soil Environment Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture and Biology, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW)

Moderator

• Piotr Paschalis-Jakubowicz

  Head of the Department of Forest Utilization, the Warsaw University of Life Sciences