ROCZNIKI GLEBOZNAWCZE, T. X X X II, NR 3, W ARSZAW A 1901
R EG IN A TR U SZ K O W SK A , S T A N ISŁ A W K O W A L IŃ SK I
METHODICAL ATTEMPT OF SYNTHETIC CHARACTERISTICS
OF ANTHROPOGENETIC CHANGES IN NATURAL ENVIRONMENT 1
P o lish S o il S cien ce S o ciety at W arsaw , A g ricu ltu ra l U n iv e r sity at W rocław
IN TR O D U C TIO N
In connection w ith the changes of n atu ral environm ent caused by intensive m aterial production development, new problems in the m ana gem ent of n atu ral resources are arising. They concern the following lines :
— a correct exploitation and reconstruction of natu ral resources, — rational distribution of industrial plants in the environm ent, — counteracting deformations and degradation of n atu ral environ m ent caused by urbanization and industrial development.
Complexity of the above problems constitute the subject of interest for m any organizational units of different branches, the respective research works being carried out in different groups, usually not coordi nated m utually. No wonder thus th a t the range of cu rren t knowledge about the natural environm ent state and changes is usually fragm entary one, not reflecting existing and potential transform ations in the complex arrangem ent of environm ental factors [1-7]. That is why the results of w ider and more detailed investigations of particular environm ent elements cannot constitute a base for form ulating explicit answers to the following questions :
— w hat qualitative and quantitative changes occur in particular natu ral environm ent elements and in the compound system ?
— w hat load of contam inants is introduced into n atu ral environm ent at an assumed program of the social and economic development and w hat is its occurrence range ?
1 A bridgm ent of the paper delivered at the session of the C om m ission of the P o lish A cad em y of S cien ces.
286 R. T ruszkow ska, S. K o w a liń sk i
— w hat natu ral environm ent standards are in conformity w ith ap propriate conditions of living, working, housing, recreation and health state of the population ?
A correct answ er to the above questions requires a systemic analysis of n atu ra l environm ent degradation and transform ation processes and their consequences for the social and economic development of p articu lar regions (Fig. 1). Observation of these processes is a necessary
condi-Fig. 1 . M an-E nvironm ent schem e [7]
tion for getting inform ation about environm ent formation, the estimation of which is indispensable for taking appropriate smoothing, liquidating or counteracting m easures against negative consequences of economic activity in n atu ral environm ent.
The com plexity of the arrangem ent of environm ental factors (Fig. 2)
C h aracteristics of changes in en v iro n m en t 287
suggests application of complex or integrated methods of investigation of the whole system and not its p articular elements. Results of these investigations should be adapted to the control system of the social and economic development ich such a way, as to take into consideration in economic decisions any lim itations resulting from the necessity of pro tection and preservation of n atu ral resources (Fig. 3).
F ig. 3. S o c ia l and econ om ic d ev elo p m en t con trol sy ste m [7]
The cam plexity of the situation as presented above makes th a t methodic investigations constituting a base for the development of inform ation systems concerning the n atu ral environm ent are being carried out on world scale and th a t of particular states. These systems are based on electronic com putation technique, rem ote sensing of the given environm ent and on the ground netw ork of m easuring stations. A classical scheme of such system is shown in Fig. 4.
The aim of inform ation systems is capture, transfer, storage and supply of detailed and synthetic inform ation comprising evaluation of environm ent state in spatial, time, problem and organizational aspects. The present work is an exam ple of a tentative presentation of a synthe tic m ethod of n atu ral environm ent characteristics for its form ation and protection needs.
BA SIC A S S U M P T IO N S OF THE M ETHOD
It has been agreed th at the basic assumptions of the m ethod proposed would result from the following theses :
288 R. T ru szk ow sk a, S. K o w a liń sk i
F ig. 4. S tru ctu re of the e n v iro n m en t in fo rm a tio n sy stem [7]
— th a t fram ew orks of the synthetic characteristics of the given environm ent define the dem and for inform ation on social and economic activities comprising the natural environm ent form ation and protection,
— the subject of interest is the natural environm ent arrangem ent undergoing anthropogenic changes and not its particular elements,
— source data for forming a base of the inform ation on the environ m ent are m ostly captured as the results of investigations carried out by different specialized stations, realizing the program s of m onitoring of the given environm et, based on the teledetection technique and on ground investigations and m easurem ents carried out w ithin the exactly designed netw ork of stations and area of observations,
— the environm ent states are identified by chosen param eterse and indicatory features in the spatial reference systems w ith different exact ness scales as well as the time reference systems w ith different frequency scales,
— estim ation of the cu rren t state of the given environm ent and the forecasts of its fu tu re state are accomplished by processing of source data accum ulated in data base,
— resultan t inform ation comprises system atic estimations of the environm ent presented in spatial, time, problem and organizational aspects,
R. T ruszkow ska, S. K o w a liń sk i 289
R A N G E A N D A IM S OF THE METHOD
The assumptions of the method as presented above determ ine its range and aims (Fig. 5), which are as follows :
1. Establishm ent of principles of the form ation of a m ain data base on the environm ent by means of collecting and utilizing the results of investigations and observations of the environm ent elements as source data worked out by different scientific research centres and special bodies.
2. Establishm ent of the range of the analysis and processing of source data accum ulated w ith use of electronic com putation technique according to appropriate programs (algorythms) rendering possible to get a syn thetic characteristics of the environm ent in different spatial, time, prob lematic and organizational aspects.
3. Establishm ent of the practical use range of the m ethod aiming at protection and recultivation of environm ent and rational m anagem ent of n atu ral resources.
The form ation of the m ain base of data requires establishm ent of those natural environm ent features which should be identified on the basis of already existing data on its elements, directly or upon supple m enting w ith additional results of the investigations under the view
point of needs of the method. This range is illustrated in Fig. 6 w ith :
— register of chosen param eters and indices of the economic develop m ent effect on the environm ent,
— specification of spatial units, called conventionally ecosystems as relatively uniform environm ent system provided for observation of changes occuring in it,
— specification of detailed n atu ral and social and economic features of spatial units of the environm ent,
— determ ination of the stru ctu re of main data base on the environ m ent in a traditional arrangem ent.
The selected initial data are to be subjected to processing according to specially set up programs, the assumptions of which are presented in Figs 7a and 7b. Thte- aim of these program s is to get a synthetic characteristics of the environm ent, comprising :
— estim ation of conditions and resources,
— estim ation of contam ination sources and their threat,
— analysis of the relation betw een data of the social and economic development program and the state of n atu ral environm ent resources.
In the estim ation of conditions and resources of the environm ent occurring on the area under study and its surroundings, the following elements should be taken into consideration :
— predisposition of the environm ent to the given economic exploita tion lines,
Fig. 5. R ange, aim s and m eth od s of g ettin g sy n th eth ic ch a ra cteristics of th e en v iro n m en t 29 0 C h a r a c te r is ti c s of ch a n g e s in e n v ir o n m e n t
C h aracteristics of changes in en v iro n m en t 291
F ig. 7b. A ssu m p tio n s fo r th e program of source data p ro cessin g — Iln d stage
— environm ent features lim iting the given spatial m anagem ent lines, — indices of soil-plant system resistance to degradation,
— needs and possibilities of increase of the bioecological environm ent resistance to degradation processes,
— spatial stru ctu re of arable land, forest, grassland, urban and w ater ecosystems against the background of the land utilization state.
In the estim ation of contam ination sources and environm ent degra dation th rea t couses, the following aspects should be taken into con sideration :
contami-2 9contami-2 R. T ruszkow ska, S. K o w a liń sk i
nants, connected w ith the cu rrent state of m anagem ent and production on the given area,
— state of the load of contam inants of the environm ent under the effect of different contam ination sources from adjoining areas,
— provided loads of contam inants and the degradation features of the environm ent, which can occur in connection w ith spatial m anagem ent in accordance w ith the program of the social and economic development on the given area.
In the analysis of relations between the social and economic develop m ent on the given area and the state of natu ral resources, the hypothesis
of the qualitative standards of environm ent to be preserved on the given area from the viewpoint of optimum working condieions is assumed as an estimation criterion. Moreover, the population health state indices, constituting the most synthetic criterion of the quality of environm ent conditions, should be taken into consideration. For these reasons the analysis should consider values of the following variables :
— load of contaminants, which will enter the environm ent in con sequence of realization of the social and economic development program on the given area (the country and its particular regions) w ithin a defi nite time,
— planned needs for free land w ith suitable environm ent condi tions,
— conditions and disposable resources of environm ent,
— environm ent quality standards, the preservation or ensuring of \vhi::h would be a basic condition of the social and economic development of the given area or region.
U TILIZA T IO N R A N G E OF THE M ETHOD
Estimates obtained by means of the data processing will constitute a base for working out the environm ent form ation and protection
program in different exactness scales (Fig. 8). The program s set up by
various organizational units in different scales (whole country, macro- regional and regional ones) should comprise the following aspects :
— indication of areas and objects of the n atu ral environm ent and cultural resources comprised w ith the legal protection or those requiring such protection,
— indication of objects of the n atural environm ent to be protected against contam ination w ith industrial or municipal wastes,
— indication of technical measures reducing or utilizing wastes and contam inants in their origin sources (waste w ater treatm en t plants, filters, etc.),
— establishm ent of protection and preventive zones and their m ana gem ent rules,
C haracteristics of changes in en v iro n m en t 293
— liquidation of contam ination sources particularly dangerous for the environm ent due to the violation of addmissible norms and resistance of the n atural environm ent conditions,
— indication of measures for strenghtening of the environm ent re sistance by determ ining optimum land utilization structures in confor mance w ith natural environm ent conditions and resources,
— indication of areas for recultivation of biological equilibrium which was disturbed in connection w ith contamination and degradation of environm ent,
— indication of areas particularly suitable for development of agri culture w ith consideration of the agricultural production intensification scale along its different lines.
Moreover, the data concerning the environm ent, collected in such a way, can be used for the following analyses, calculations and assum p tions :
— evaluation of the disposable resources and conditions of the environm ent,
— form ation of strategic, tactical and operational decisions aiming at rational m anagem ent of n atu ral resources,
— analyses of relations between environm ent features and economic current or planned activity for definite conditions,
— analyses of the state of n atu ral resources consideration of natural and social and economic losses occurring in consequence of various coiv lam ination loads,
— investigations on efficiency of placing investm ents under condi tions of the given natu ral environm ent.
C O N D ITIO N S FOR THE METHOD FU N C T IO N IN G
A great demand for characteristics and synthetic estim ation of natural environm ent and changes occurring under the effect of anthropogenic factors suggests the necessity of securing appropriate conditons for full application of the respective method and its application by various users. The action of the m ethod and its effective use depend on suitably selected technical and organizational indices. Realization of these req u i rem ents should be adapted to the general idea of the method. The technical outfit should ensure a possibly high autom ation level of basic functions resulting from the method, such as collection of inform ation data, their transfer, processing and storage as well as working out the inform ation synthesis and its delivery to users.
The m ulti-problem range of works connected w ith the synthetic ana lysis of the natural environm ent system requires cooperation of many coordinated special working groups subordinated to a superior unit (see Fig 9). Designing of particular elements of the m ethod and its extension,
2 9 4 R. T ruszkow ska, S. K o w a liń sk i
Fig. 9 O rgan ization m odel of m ethod fu n ctio n in g [71
adapted to needs, should be based on an appropriately set up research extension program and on legal acts, determ ining :
— a main disposer of source data on the natural environm ent, — obligations of disposers of the source docum entation on the environm ent w ithin their contribution range to preparation of the data lor the analysis method,
— cooperation and coordination principles of m any special units w ith the domestic inform ation systems,
— organizational and technical means indispensable for the realiza tion of basic aims of the system method,
— principles of cooperation w ith foreign institutions dealing w ith the environm ent estimation, m ainly of the FAO and CMEA,
— regulations concerning storage and supply of the inform ation of confidential character.
C O N C L U SIO N S
environ-C h aracteristics of ch an ges in en v iro n m en t 295
m ent estim ation method as a system and its changes allows to draw the following conclusions :
1. For investigation of the relation of economic activity effects on the natural environm ent, a direct and indirect estimation of param eters of particular ecosystems as spatial stru ctu ra l and functional units would be necessary.
2. To make precise the range of n atu ral environm ent characteristics, the list of suitable questions would be necessary, for which the develo ped method should find answers.
3. It is necessary to set up a uniform register of diagnostical features of natu ral environm ent system according to the model presented in the m ethod described, resulting from the hithero research works and sup plem ented w ith the data based on additional investigations.
4. The data conversion program s should be set up in accordance w ith the methodical assumptions w ith simultaneous use of different already extended domestic and foreign programs.
5. It is necessary to determ ine the range and possibility of utilizat ion of source data on the environm ent from its rem ote observations in different scales and arrangem ents.
6. An institutional organizational stru ctu re ensuring appropriate
conditions for analysis and synthesis concerning qualitative and quanti tative changes of the natu ral environm ent under the social and economic activity effect, should be established.
R EFEREN CES
[1] C i b o r o w s k i A. : P la ce of the e n v iro n m en t fo rm a tio n and p rotection in th e so cio -eco n o m ic p olicy of th e country. B iul. IK S, W arsaw 1974.
[2] K u l i k o w s k i R. : S y ste m ic a n a ly sis and its ap p lication . PW N W arsaw , 1977.
[3] K o w a l i ń s k i S., T r u s z k o w s k a R., K o w a l k o w s k i A. , O s t r o w s k i J. et al. : T he BIG LEB soil m ed iu m in fo rm a tio n system . Pr. Kom . N auk. PTG V /34, W arsaw 1977.
[4] O s t r o w s k i J. : D ia g n o sis th eory ele m e n ts in in v e s tig a tio n s of th e so il- n a tu ra l en v iro n m en t. PTG W arsaw , 1974.
[5] T r u s z k o w s k a R. : P rin cip les of settin g up data f ile on geograp h ic en v iro n m en t. B iu l. Inf. IF P A N , W arsaw 1973, 3.
[6] T r u s z k o w s k a R. : P rob lem atics of the bank of cartographic data for n eed s of th e sp a tia l m a n a g em en t of th e country. P race Inst. G eod. i K artogr., P ra ce Inst. G eod. i K artogr., 44, W arsaw 1972, 1 .
[7] T r u s z k o w s k a R. : P ro b lem a tics of th e p rogram m e of d esig n in g and e x te n s io n of th e hu m an en v iro n m en t m on itorin g sy ste m in P olan d . M, S, B iu l, IK S, W arsaw 1973, 6-7,
296 R. T ru szk ow sk a, S. K o w a liń sk i
R. TRUSZKOW SKA, S. K O W ALIttSK I
P R Ó B A M ETO DY C ZN A SY N T E TY C Z N EJ C H A R A K T E R Y ST Y K I ZM IAN A N TR O PO G EN IC ZN Y C H W ŚR O D O W ISK U PRZY R O D N IC Z Y M
P o lsk ie T o w a rzy stw o G leb ozn aw cze
G rupa R obocza S y stem u In fo rm a ty czn eg o o Ś rod ow isk u G leb o w y m — BIG LEB
S t r e s z c z e n i e
O p racow an ie ob ejm u je próbę m etod yczn ą sy n tety czn ej ch a ra k tery sty k i środo w isk a przyrod n iczego, której celem są an aliza i ocena stanu zm ian ilo śc io w y c h i ja k o ścio w y ch , stale p o w sta ją cy ch w środ ow isk u p rzyrod n iczym w w y n ik u e k sp lo atacji jego zasobów , dla potrzeb rozw oju sp ołeczn o-ek on om iczn ego.
Doc. d r R e g in a T r u s z k o w s k a P o ls k ie T o w a r z y s t w o G l e b o z n a w c z e W a r s z a w a , ul. W i ś n i o w a 61
