The beginnings of the Biology Students Scientific Circle date back to
1978. Nowadays, the circle consists of
four sections: a batrachological, botanical,
ornithological
and theriological one;
its scientific curator is Dr Włodzimierz Chętnicki.
The intensity of BSSC's activity is best characterized by the
publications list. Moreover, our field activity is documented by a lot of photos
(you can reach some of them via these links:
photos1,
photos2,
photos3,
photos4,
photos5,
photos6,
photos7.
Batrachological section
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The main field of interest of this section is a stock-taking of amphibians from the northern part of our country (Seaside Landscape Park, Romincka Forest, vicinity of Elk)
along with distant areas for instance Nadmorski Landskape Park. However, its members are particularly proud of the effective protection of amphibians during their spring migrations to reproduction places in Narew National Park (NE Poland). This goal is achieved via constructing the plastic fences along the Białystok-Wysokie Mazowieckie highway (responsible for high mortality among those vertebrates). Amphibians are being caught into small buckets and, after species and sex determinations, are safely transported across the road.
Almost 30 000 amphibians have been treated in this way during four years of section activity.
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Botanical section
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The botanical section started its activity in 2001 and has from that date continuously dealt with ecology and biology of orchids. The first (organized in 2002) botanical camp was devoted to the population studies of three species of Epipactis in Wigry National Park (NE Poland). Furthermore, members of this section help during the annual mushroom exhibition in Białowieża.
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Ornithological section
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Ornithological section deals with bird ringing during Akcja Siemianówka (Action Siemianówka) and conducts bird counting in the valleys of three rivers (Biała, Supraśl and Narew) during winter months. This to inventory birds that winter in NE Poland.
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Theriological section
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Theriological section (founded in 2005) is the youngest unit within the Circle. Its main goal is to study the population of wolves from the Augustów Forest (NE Poland). The first scientific camp was organized in February 2005. Its participants used tracks and calls to localize wolves, and collected faeces samples (for dietary and genetic analyses).
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e-mail: knb@uwb.edu.pl
Home Page (in Polish)
