Department of Geoecology
About Department
The Department of Geoecology was established on January 1, 1992 as a result of the merger of two units of IGiPZ PAN - the Department of Environmental Management (head - prof. A.S. Kostrowicki) and the Department of Biogeography (head - prof. W. Matuszkiewicz). Under the leadership of prof. A. Breymeyer continued research in the field of interactive relationships between abiotic and biotic elements of the geographical environment, geobotany, phytosociology and landscape syntheses. Work was carried out on a continental scale (from northern Finland to southern Poland and from Germany to Russia), as well as comparative studies in the USA. In 2004, the potential of the Department was expanded to include climate research, by joining a team of climatologists - the Department of Geoecology and Climatology was established, headed by prof. M. Degórski. In 2022, the Department of Geoecology again became a separate organizational unit. Currently (as of June 1, 2022) there are 9 persons on the staff of the Department.
Research profile
The research of the Department of Geoecology focuses on the multifaceted relationships between humans and the surrounding natural environment. We strive for a deeper and comprehensive understanding of the past, present and potential future effects of environmental and anthropogenic factors on species, assemblages and ecosystems across a wide range of spatial and temporal scales. We deal with issues as diverse as the potential of forest and urban ecosystems to provide ecosystem services, the impact of invasive species on human well-being, the resilience and regeneration of mountain and riparian forests, and the reconstruction of past landscapes (incl. depopulated areas). Our research is interdisciplinary in nature, closely related to landscape ecology, biogeography and environmental history.