Ecological Light Pollution (ELP) Scale as a Measure of Light Pollution Impact on Protected Areas: Case Study of Poland

Tomasz Ściężor (), Grzegorz Iwanicki, Mieczysław Kunz, Andrzej Z. Kotarba, Karolina Skorb and Przemysław Tabaka
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Tomasz Ściężor: Faculty of Environmental Engineering and Energy, Cracow University of Technology, 31-155 Kraków, Poland
Grzegorz Iwanicki: Light Pollution Think Tank, 30-504 Kraków, Poland
Mieczysław Kunz: Light Pollution Think Tank, 30-504 Kraków, Poland
Andrzej Z. Kotarba: Light Pollution Think Tank, 30-504 Kraków, Poland
Karolina Skorb: Doctoral School of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, Institutes of the Polish Academy of Sciences, 31-512 Kraków, Poland
Przemysław Tabaka: Light Pollution Think Tank, 30-504 Kraków, Poland

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 11, 1-35

Abstract: Light pollution is a rapidly growing environmental challenge, with the global brightness of the night sky increasing by an average of 9.6% per year. This study assessed the ecological impact of artificial light at night (ALAN) on protected areas in Poland, including all 23 national and 125 landscape parks, from 2012 to 2023. Based on VIIRS satellite radiance data and modelled sky surface brightness (Sa), we developed and applied the Ecological Light Pollution (ELP) scale, which classifies areas into four classes of ecological impact: strong (ELP-A), pronounced (ELP-B), noticeable (ELP-C), and weak or none (ELP-D). The analysis revealed that 38.5% of protected areas are affected by artificial skyglow at levels classified as ELP-B or ELP-C. Under cloudy conditions, which intensify light pollution effects, 22% of national parks and 41.8% of landscape parks fell into these classes. Notably, Wielkopolski National Park exhibited the most pronounced impact (ELP-B) even under clear skies, primarily due to its proximity to the Poznań metropolitan area. In contrast, Bieszczadzki and Białowieski National Parks recorded near-natural darkness (ELP-D). These light pollution effects can disrupt nocturnal species’ behaviour, reduce biodiversity, and degrade opportunities for dark-sky tourism. The findings emphasise the need for targeted mitigation, including stricter outdoor lighting regulations, formal dark-sky protection zones, and public education to preserve protected areas’ ecological integrity and tourism potential.

Keywords: light pollution; ALAN; artificial skyglow; dark-sky; tourism; astro-tourism; national park; landscape park; ecology (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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