Professor Anna Stefanowicz
Full Professor
Research interests
- Plant-soil interactions.
- Effects of plant invasions on the soil environment.
- Factors affecting soil microorganisms and the rate of organic matter decomposition.
- Plant secondary metabolites and their role in shaping soil microbial communities.
- Physicochemical and microbial properties of anthropogenic soils in post-industrial areas.
- Heavy metals in soils and plants.
Higher education and employment history
- MSc degree at the Jagiellonian University (2003).
- Technical assistant (senior biologist) at the Jagiellonian University (2004–2009).
- PhD degree at the Jagiellonian University (2009).
- Assistant professor at the W. Szafer Institute of Botany, PAS (2009–2017).
- Habilitation at the University of Łodź (2017).
- Associate professor at the W. Szafer Institute of Botany, PAS (since 2017).
Membership and awards
- Member of the Research Staff Development Committee at the W. Szafer Institute of Botany, PAS (since 2019).
International experience
- Czech Republic (2004) – 1-week training; Faculty of Biological Science, University of South Bohemia, Institute of Soil Biology, Czech Academy of Sciences.
- Denmark (2005) – 1-week course "Dynamics of soil organic matter"; University of Copenhagen.
- Slovakia (2012) – 1-week research stay; Faculty of Natural Sciences, Matej Bel University.
Research projects
- ALARM: Assessing large scale risks for biodiversity with tested methods (2004–2008); grant no. GOCE-CT-2003-506675; EC 6th Framework Programme – contractor.
- NOMIRACLE: Novel methods for integrated risk assessment of cumulative stressors in Europe (2004–2009); grant no. 003956-2; EC 6th Framework Programme – contractor.
- Vegetation of calamine soils and its importance for biodiversity and landscape conservation in post-mining areas (2008–2011); grant no. PL0265; grant from Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway through the Financial Mechanism of the European Economic Area – contractor.
- Influence of soil contamination with heavy metals on metal concentrations in plants growing on heaps after historical Zn-Pb ores mining in western Małopolska (2012); grant no. 4604/E–37/M/2012; Ministry of Science and Higher Education – project leader.
- Influence of historical Zn-Pb ore mining in western Małopolska on heavy metal concentration in beech forest soils and selected herbaceous plant species (2013); grant no. 4604/E–37/M/2013; Ministry of Science and Higher Education – project leader.
- Soil physicochemical properties as well as diversity and composition of plant communities as factors determining the functioning of microorganisms in soils developed on old heaps (warpie) near Trzebinia, Jaworzno and Olkusz (2011–2014); grant no. N N305 018040; Ministry of Science and Higher Education – project leader.
- Interactions of invasive plants with soil microorganisms (2012–2016); grant no. 2011/03/B/NZ8/00008; National Science Centre (NCN) – contractor.
- The impact of alien tree species – red oak (Quercus rubra L.) – on soil physicochemical properties, soil microbial communities and forest vegetation (2017–2020); grant no. 2016/23/N/NZ8/02778; National Science Centre (NCN) – supervisor.
- Ecosystem changes driven by Reynoutria japonica invasion: linking quantity and chemical quality of plant biomass to soil properties (2017–2021); grant no. 2016/23/B/NZ8/00564; National Science Centre (NCN) – project leader.
- Changes in diversity and species composition of plant communities in coastal grey dunes due to Rosa rugosa Thunb. invasion: linking soil properties with functional structure of vegetation (2018); grant no. 2017/01/X/NZ8/01805; National Science Centre (NCN) – contractor.
- A comprehensive analysis of interactions between herbaceous plants and soil microbiological and physicochemical properties in temperate deciduous forests as the basis for effective biodiversity protection of these ecosystems (2018–2021); grant no. 2017/27/B/NZ9/01297; National Science Centre (NCN) – contractor.
Recent publications (selected)
Stanek M., Kapusta P., Stefanowicz A.M. 2024. Effect of simulated litterfall and sapling growth of invasive Quercus rubra and native Q. robur on soil in a pot experiment. Forest Ecology and Management 551: 121505. DOI
Zubek S., Rożek K., Chomolowska D., Odriozola I., Větrovský T., Skubała K., Dobler P. T., Stefanowicz A.M., Stanek M., Orzechowska A., Kohout P., Baldrian P. 2024. Dominant herbaceous plants contribute to the spatial heterogeneity of beech and riparian forest soils by influencing fungal and bacterial diversity. Soil Biology and Biochemistry 193: 109405. DOI
Stanek M., Kushwaha P., Murawska-Wlodarczyk K., Stefanowicz A.M., Babst-Kostecka A. 2023. Quercus rubra invasion of temperate deciduous forest stands alters the structure and functions of the soil microbiome. Geoderma 430: 116328. DOI
Stefanowicz A.M., Kapusta P., Stanek M., Rożek K., Rola K., Zubek S. 2023. Herbaceous plant species and their combinations positively affect soil microorganisms and processes and modify soil physicochemical properties in a mesocosm experiment. Forest Ecology and Management 532: 120826. DOI
Woch M.W., Kapusta P., Stanek M., Możdżeń K., Grześ I.M., Rożej-Pabijan E., Stefanowicz A.M. 2023. Effects of invasive Rosa rugosa on Baltic coastal dune communities depend on dune age. Neobiota 82: 163–187. DOI
Stefanowicz A.M., Frąc M., Oszust K., Stanek M. 2022. Contrasting effects of extracts from invasive Reynoutria japonica on soil microbial biomass, activity, and community structure. Biological Invasions 24: 3233–3247. DOI
Stefanowicz A.M., Kapusta P., Stanek M., Rola K., Zubek S. 2022. Herbaceous plant species support soil microbial performance in deciduous temperate forests. Science of the Total Environment 810: 151313. DOI
Woch M.W., Migdałek G., Jedrzejczyk I., Podsiedlik M., Stefanowicz A.M. 2022. The genetic diversity of Asplenium viride (Aspleniaceae). Plant Growth Regulation 98: 359–369. DOI
Zubek S., Kapusta P., Stanek M., Woch M.W., Błaszkowski J. Stefanowicz A.M. 2022. Reynoutria japonica invasion negatively affects arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi communities regardless of the season and soil conditions. Applied Soil Ecology 169: 104152. DOI
Zubek S., Rola K., Rożek K., Błaszkowski J., Stanek M., Chmolowska D., Chowaniec K., Zalewska-Gałosz J., Stefanowicz A.M. 2022. Experimental assessment of forest floor geophyte and hemicryptophyte impact on arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi communities. Plant and Soil 480: 651–673. DOI
Grześ I.M., Rożej-Pabijan E., Stefanowicz A.M., Woch M.W. 2021. Community composition of ants beneath invasive plant Rosa rugosa. Entomological Science 24: 361–365. DOI
Stanek M., Zubek S., Stefanowicz A.M. 2021. Differences in phenolics produced by invasive Quercus rubra and native plant communities induced changes in soil microbial properties and enzymatic activity. Forest Ecology and Management 482: 118901. DOI
Stefanowicz A.M., Kapusta P., Stanek M., Frąc M., Oszust K., Woch M.W., Zubek S. 2021. Invasive plant Reynoutria japonica produces large amounts of phenolic compounds and reduces the biomass but not activity of soil microbial communities. Science of the Total Environment 767: 145439. DOI
Stefanowicz A.M., Rożek K., Stanek M., Rola K., Zubek S. 2021. Moderate effects of tree species identity on soil microbial communities and soil chemical properties in a common garden experiment. Forest Ecology and Management 482: 118799. DOI
Woch M.W., Kapusta P., Stanek M., Zubek S., Stefanowicz A.M. 2021. Functional traits predict resident plant response to Reynoutria japonica invasion in riparian and fallow communities in southern Poland. AoB PLANTS 13: plab035. DOI
Zubek S., Rożek K., Stefanowicz A.M., Błaszkowski J., Stanek M., Gielas I., Rola K. 2021. The impact of beech and riparian forest herbaceous plant species with contrasting traits on arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi abundance and diversity. Forest Ecology and Management 492: 119245. DOI
Stanek M., Piechnik Ł., Stefanowicz A.M. 2020. Invasive red oak (Quercus rubra L.) modifies soil physicochemical properties and forest understory vegetation. Forest Ecology and Management 472: 118253. DOI
Stefanowicz A.M., Banaś A., Stanek M., Woch M.W., Zubek S. 2020. Large differences in biomass quantity and quality between invasive Reynoutria japonica and resident vegetation are not reflected in topsoil physicochemical properties. Geoderma 368: 114307. DOI
Stefanowicz A.M., Kapusta P., Zubek S., Stanek M., Woch M.W. 2020. Soil organic matter prevails over heavy metal pollution and vegetation as a factor shaping soil microbial communities at historical Zn-Pb mining sites. Chemosphere 240: 124922. DOI
Zubek S., Majewska M.L., Kapusta P., Stefanowicz A.M., Błaszkowski J., Rożek K., Stanek M., Karpowicz F., Zalewska-Gałosz J. 2020. Solidago canadensis invasion in abandoned arable fields induces minor changes in soil properties and does not affect the performance of subsequent crops. Land Degradation & Development 31: 334–345. DOI
Stanek M., Stefanowicz A.M. 2019. Invasive Quercus rubra negatively affected soil microbial communities relative to native Quercus robur in a semi-natural forest. Science of the Total Environment 696: 133977. DOI
Stefanowicz A.M., Stanek M., Majewska M.L., Nobis M., Zubek S. 2019. Invasive plant species identity affects soil microbial communities in a mesocosm experiment. Applied Soil Ecology 136: 168–177. DOI
Stefanowicz A.M., Zubek S., Stanek M., Grześ I.M., Rożej-Pabijan E., Błaszkowski J., Woch M.W. 2019. Invasion of Rosa rugosa induced changes in soil nutrients and microbial communities of coastal sand dunes. Science of the Total Environment 677: 340–349. DOI
Majewska M.L., Rola K., Stefanowicz A.M., Nobis M., Błaszkowski J., Zubek S. 2018. Do the impacts of alien invasive plants differ from expansive native ones? An experimental study on arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi communities. Biology and Fertility of Soils 54: 631–643. DOI
Stefanowicz A.M., Majewska M.L., Stanek M., Nobis M., Zubek S. 2018. Differential influence of four invasive plant species on soil physicochemical properties in a pot experiment. Journal of Soils and Sediments 18: 1409–1423. DOI
Woch M.W., Radwańska M., Stanek M., Łopata B., Stefanowicz A.M. 2018. Relationships between waste physicochemical properties, microbial activity and vegetation at coal ash and sludge disposal sites. Science of the Total Environment 642: 264–275. DOI
Stefanowicz A.M., Stanek M., Nobis M., Zubek S. 2017. Few effects of invasive plants Reynoutria japonica, Rudbeckia laciniata and Solidago gigantea on soil physical and chemical properties. Science of the Total Environment 574: 938–946. DOI
Woch M.W., Stefanowicz A.M., Stanek M. 2017. Waste heaps left by historical Zn-Pb ore mining are hotspots of species diversity of beech forest understory vegetation. Science of the Total Environment 599–600: 32–41. DOI
Stefanowicz A.M., Stanek M., Nobis M., Zubek S. 2016. Species-specific effects of plant invasions on activity, biomass, and composition of soil microbial communities. Biology and Fertility of Soils 52: 841–852. DOI
Stefanowicz A.M., Stanek M., Woch M.W. 2016. High concentrations of heavy metals in beech forest understory plants growing on waste heaps left by Zn-Pb ore mining. Journal of Geochemical Exploration 169: 157–162. DOI
Zubek S., Majewska M.L., Błaszkowski J., Stefanowicz A.M., Nobis M., Kapusta P. 2016. Invasive plants affect arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi abundance and species richness as well as the performance of native plants grown in invaded soils. Biology and Fertility of Soils 52: 879–893. DOI