The present work is a part of the development of a method which uses the relative proportions of asexually and sexually reproducing chydorid females to reconstruct the length of the open-water season. Surface sediments (5 cm) of Lake Aitajärvi, northern Finnish Lapland, were examined for modern and recent proportions of chydorid cladoceran ephippia in subarctic climate near the pine limit. The total chydorid ephippium proportions (TCE) were steadily 9.5-9.7 % in the Aitajärvi sediment but declined to 8.4 % in the uppermost sample. The result was compared with the surface sediment TCE from four lakes in southern Finland where it varied between 3-6%. It was also compared with the TCE from two lakes in northernmost Finnish Lapland above the treeline in very severe climate, where it was 26-30 %. These very high values suggest that there might be a threshold in climate conditions between Aitajärvi and the two northernmost lakes that alters the reproduction of chydorids towards an even more important role of sexual reproduction.

The main purpose of this article is an attempt at the description of the role of roadside shrines and crosses in geographical names. The study encompasses more than 1,000 microtoponyms collected in the years 2011–2017 in the area around the village of Wręczyca Wielka near Kłobuck (Silesian voivodeship). The analysis also offers a justification for the onyms, as well as stories and legends elicited during informal conversations with the middle and the oldest generation of inhabitants of the explored area. The author uses the research tools of cultural onomastics. The objects of sacral architecture which appear in geographical names frequently have a number of functions. Mostly, roadside shrines and crosses help to locate or mark fields, meadows, forests and paths. Furthermore, the data that shed light on the motivation of microtoponyms document the relationship between the abovementioned examples of sacral architecture with the surrounding physiographic objects, highlighting the role of these forms in folk culture. Both roadside crosses and shrines commemorate past events and preserve the elements of rural customs. The few specimens of sacral architecture functioning as the motivation for microtoponyms also confirm the fact that, for the oldest generation of village inhabitants, religion is still one of the most important values.