An important factor in the development of forest ecosystem is the ability to regenerate. Natural intensity of self thinning of a forest depends on the tree species and environmental conditions. Due to abiotic and biotic factors in a continuous forest tract, there appears a clearing, which, depending on the size, forms new growth conditions. Over time, the resulting new space is occupied by herbaceous and woody vegetation. Most often regeneration of a new forest depends on the size of the plot. The study was conducted in 2013 during the growing season in a typical broadleaf forest stand. During the study woody vegetation and projection coverage of herbaceous vegetation was registered in large clearings. Light conditions in the plots and under tree canopies, as well as soil parameters were ascertained. Based on the collected data, the view of the structure of woody vegetation, projection coverage of herbaceous vegetation, light conditions, temperature, soil moisture content and pH changes were obtained. In order to clarify the influence of microclimatic conditions on natural forest regeneration, the data on light and soil characteristics were analyzed. The aim of the study - was to determine the changes of woody and herbaceous vegetation in spruce stand clearings and to assess the impact of microclimate. During the study it was found out that in large plots dominated species demanding higher amount of light, while herbaceous vegetation was attributed to the third, fourth groups of aggressiveness. Naturally regenerated seedlings condition was mostly influenced by light conditions and soil moisture content.

This brief review of the recent birch studies is focused on different aspects, such as species distribution, growing conditions, species identification, changes due to environmental factors. All mentioned investigations were carried out in Lithuania. This analytical study summarises the results and increases knowledge dissemination to the international audience. When reviewed and summarized considerable part of relevant literature sources, we realised new problems and challenges; for example, aiming to clarify the peculiarities of the growth and crown condition of the dominant birch species (Betula pendula Roth. and B. pubescens Ehrh.) under the changing climate and anthropogenic pollution.

Leaf morphology was assessed in Pajiesys and Seirijai field trials of oaks. Oaks in these trials are the progenies of oak trees (Quercus genus) that grow in the Trakas forest of Seirijai district of Alytus forest enterprise of Lithuania. The aim of the study was to determine the number of hybrid trees between the progenies of the Trakas forest in Pajiesys and Seirijai field trials. 251 oaks belonging to 40 half-sib families were sampled. Twenty three leaf morphological variables were measured on each of 5 leaves collected from each tree and analysed by principal component analysis (PCA) and discriminant analysis (DA). The study concluded that Q. robur and Q. petraea leaves are most clearly identified by six morphological traits. Discriminant function of two traits for oak species separation was proposed. The study has also revealed a high degree of interspecific hybridization in field trials. Study results were compared with earlier reports about hybridization occurring in mixed oak stands in other parts of Europe.

The aim of the study is to ascertain how different compositions of stand species affect the work of the harvester in commercial thinning under Latvia’s conditions. The data of the harvester – time-tracking files (*.drf) have been used as a basis for the study, where productivity is expressed as the prepared amount of round timber in cubic meters in a unit of time – an hour (m**3 hE-1). The data were collected from 100 commercial thinning areas which were divided into three types depending on the composition of the species: pure pine stands, pure spruce stands and deciduous tree mixed stands (mixed with coniferous trees). All the data for the study were collected in the forests managed by JSC ‘Latvia`s State Forests’. By summarizing the data, it has been established that in pure pine stands the average volume of the stem to be removed is 0.092 m**3, in mixed stands – 0.085 m**3 and in pure spruce stands - 0.068 m**3. The research demonstrates that the harvester showed its highest productivity while working in pure pine stands – 3.96 m**3 hE-1, the second best result was achieved in the mixed stands – 3.67 m**3 hE-1, but the lowest rate was demonstrated in pure spruce stands – 3.09 m**3 hE-1. Significant differences were observed in the productivity of the harvester between pure pine and pure spruce stands. Comparing the calculations of standard deviations in the harvester productivity, it can be seen that they are the biggest in mixed stands, while the lowest rate is demonstrated in pure spruce stands.

The study aims to find productivity of biofuel production in pre-commercial thinning, depending on the structure of assortments and to identify factors that influence the cost of mechanized tending of young stands. Five work methods were compared in the study, starting from standard thinning (production of sawn timber, pulpwood and firewood) with no use of accumulating device and finalizing with the biofuel method – no other assortments except biofuel are produced and the most intense use of accumulating device is considered. Accumulating device is not used for production of standard round-wood assortments. The experiments were implemented in February – March, 2013. The material produced in the study was used by ‘Graanul Pellets’ company to evaluate possibilities to use timber extracted in pre-commercial thinning of coniferous stands in production of premium class pellets. The average productivity in different stands is statistically different. The study shows that productivity of harvesting is 3.7 … 5.1 m**3 hE-1, which can be increased by more intensive use of accumulation. No difference found between work methods in forwarding trials, but productivity grows with increase of share of firewood. Average loading time 26 min, unloading 3.6 min, average load 6.0 m**3 . Prime-cost calculation shows that harvesting costs depending on the working method is in the range of 22.4 … 26.5 EUR mE-3. Comparison of potential expenses and incomes demonstrates that economically the most efficient is production of traditional assortments (sawn wood, small size sawn wood, pulp wood and firewood) with an active use of accumulating function.

When the measurements of power consumed by cutting mechanism electromotor are made, the mechanical cutting power cannot be obtained, because they are different physical processes. However, determination of electricity power is relatively simpler. Therefore, both powers are determined in the study, in order to evaluate coherence between them. Computer numerical control machine was used for climb-sawing of aspen (Populus tremula L.) wood with a circular saw. Mechanical cutting power was calculated from measurements of cutting force, but the electric ones – from measurements of current and voltage. As a result, changes of both powers and of specific cutting work, on what the analytical calculation of cutting power is based, were obtained depending on length of the cutting trajectory. It is found out, that mechanical cutting power is greater than electric power, and it is useful to use for the analytical calculation, based on determination of the specific cutting work, wear coefficient of the cutter that depends not only on the duration of work of cutter, but also on feed speed and the length of the cutting trajectory.

Rural areas in Poland are characterized by great diversity in their functional spatial structure. Throughout history, their distinct features have been shaped by natural, historical and socio-economic factors. The aim of this study was to analyze the changes in the functional spatial structure of North-Eastern Poland. The analysis involved a comparison of data for 1988 and 2012. Research data was supplied mainly by the Central Statistical Office in Poland. The key drivers of change in the investigated region are agriculture, tourism, forestry and environmentally-friendly industrial processes. The results of the economic and social development are constantly changing in rural areas. Based on analysis, the functional structure of rural areas in North-Eastern Poland between 1988 and 2012 shows that they are more diversified. Over the years, rural areas in North-Eastern Poland were identified with agriculture but now they have multifunctional character.

Relationship between clients and consultants reveals and develops during the process of communication, because then not only do people interact, but they also get to know each other. Consultants and clients influence each other by sharing information, emotions and feelings. By influencing each other, they change attitudes, feelings and behaviour in the process of consultation. These relations influence the moral state of both consultants and clients, and while interacting, they influence efficiency of consultant activity as well. This paper analyses relationship between consultants and clients, as well as defines both factual and interpersonal aspects of communication.

The purpose of this article has been to present a range of products which can be obtained from agricultural production and used for energy purposes. The domestic demand for plant material to be converted to biocomponents was assessed, including the demand for oilseed rape seeds and other grain used to make bioethanol in Poland. One of the ways to limit the adverse effect of fossil fuels on the environment is by using renewable resources. Agriculture is the producer of biomass used to make biocomponents for liquid fuels and raw materials for substitution of solid fuels. The EU, wishing to stimulate production of biomass for energy purposes, has brought to life several legal acts which force the use of biofuels in the European Community. Farmers who produce substrate for bio-fuel production were offered subsidies to energy crop plantations, at first paid from the state budget, and in 2007 – 2009 provided under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), which increased the farmers’ revenues from farming. The decisions approved of while reviewing the CAP are to improve – via the market mechanism – the production and export potential of the whole EU. This is to be achieved, for example, by abolishing the subsidies to energy crops, which ceased to be paid in 2010. Such subsidies improved (artificially) the profitability of energy crop plantations, while causing a relative decrease in food production in Europe. By participating in the CAP, Poland is obliged to undertake certain measures in the domestic policy that will comply with the decisions made on the EU level.

The aim of the paper is to show the general trend of consumption in the Baltic countries. The member states of the European Union attach great importance to the well-being, health and the promotion of healthy lifestyle. In order to be able to make decisions on the future plan of action, COBEREN (Consumer Behaviour Erasmus Network) carried out a project with an aim of studying the food consumption habits in the European Union countries. The obtained results show the consumer habits of each participating state, although not on the regional level. This study will look at the consumption habits in the Baltic countries and find out the nature of consumption in those three states. The statistical method – analysis of variance – was used to analyse the COBEREN data. The main conclusion is that consumers of the Baltic countries do not differ greatly in their consumption habits.