ZANIECZYSZCZENIE ŚWIATŁEM – EKOLOGICZNY PROBLEM WSPÓŁCZESNEGO MIASTA
PHOTOPOLLUTION – ECOLOGICAL PROBLEMS OF THE MODERN CITY

Author(s): Anna Wojciechowska, Anna Wiśniewska, Adam Barcikowski
Subject(s): Regional Geography, Conference Report
Published by: Wydawnictwa Uniwersytetu Warszawskiego
Keywords: photopollution; ecology; mammals; birds; reptiles; amphibians; arthropods; plants
Summary/Abstract: The progressing growth of cities and increasing number of streetlamps has made artificial lightning not only an annoying neighbor to astronomical observatories but also a factor impacting the environment. It modifies the circadian rhythm of many animal species, and it causes hormonal, morphological and behavioral changes in many invertebrate and vertebrate animals, including humans. Plants do not remain indifferent to excess light either as they are the organisms most sensitive to changes in light intensity and length of exposition. The ecological problems connected with light pollution necessitate quantitative evaluation of this peculiar anomaly. The aim of this publication is to show the current research and state of knowledge concerning behavioral changes in selected groups of organisms exposed to excessive lighting.

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