The aim of this paper was to evaluate the link between environmental conditions and the vegetation pattern of mountain peatlands drained for forestry. We assumed that (a) water chemistry and soil properties differ between the investigated peatlands types—from fen to bog, (b) the vegetation pattern is dependent on water chemistry and soil properties, and (c) water chemistry and soil properties play different roles in determining peatland patterning. For our study, five ecologically and topographically diverse forestry‐drained shallow peatlands in Central Sudetes, Poland, were selected. A comparison between the studied peatlands and environmental variables was done by discriminant analysis, whereas vegetation–environmental relationship was analysed by canonical correspondence analysis. Results demonstrated that pH, HCO3−, NO3−, and Ca2+ best explained the variation in water chemistry (approximately 74%), whereas base saturation, pHwater, and plant‐available phosphorus best explained the variation in soil properties. Plant assemblages within the peatlands exhibited three vegetation clusters that did not always correspond to peatland ecological type. The vegetation was mostly affected by water chemistry (explained up to 54% of variation), rather than by soil properties. Vegetation within such ecosystems seems to be a good indicator of differences in water chemistry, caused by differences in bedrock (soligenic fen peatlands) or atmospheric inputs (ombrogenic bogs). Our results will help improve our understanding of vegetation–environment relationships in degraded mountain peatland ecosystems in the temperate climate zone. They might also be useful for proper planning of restoration and monitoring of these ecosystems.
The paper presents an analysis of the ecological requirements and sociological-ecological relations of 403 species of vascular plants recorded in 82 mid-field woodlots located among crop fields in the agricultural outskirts of Wrocław. The aim of the research and analyses was to determine what is the species composition of these woodlots and whether they are ecologically more similar to those situated in environment of farmlands or urban wastelands. The authors assumed the latter. It was found that the mid- -field woodlots occupied less than 1% of arable land and were located exclusively in close proximity to the city’s administrative borders, and more than half of them were related to the hydrographic network of the area. Their flora, in general assessment, shows a great variety in terms of water requirements and has the features of woodlots described from typically agricultural areas. This applies to the dominance of forest, shrub and meadow species with a constant, usually not exceeding 20%, share of ruderal plants and a small number of weeds in crops. Thus, the assumption that the flora of the studied woodlots will show signs of ruderalization to a large extent has not been confirmed. 72% of species occurred in no more than 10 objects, which shows that the described ecological diversity of the flora studied is based on single or few locations. The most frequent species were nitrophilic and in over 50% they represented a group of shrub communities. The list of the species recorded with estimation of their frequency is provided.
The data presented in this paper concern the occurrence of Salvinia natans (L.) All. in Wrocław area. Field research was conducted in the vegetation season (June-September) between 2013 and 2017 in water bodies (natural and artificial), in the main river beds of the Oława and the Odra Rivers and in the Odra canals in Wrocław. The study provided 32 S. natans locations in the city area. The studied species occurred in various plant communities accompanied by numerous species which were also under protection, increasing the ecological value of the habitats. Additionally, a stable S. natans site was confirmed by the study in a location where aquatic fern had previously been recorded in Wrocław. The research indicates numerous populations of the species along the Odra and the Oława and in many old river beds and artificial water bodies in Wrocław and the results confirm the visible trend of a growing number of S. natans sites in all of Poland.
Abstract:The paper presents results of fl oristic investigation conducted within the territory of waste dumps in Lower Silesia: landfi ll of municipal waste Wrocław-Maślice, post-metallurgic waste heap in Siechnice, serpentine dumping grounds in Grochów and slag heaps in Bielawa.The investigated fl ora was analyzed with regard to species composition, participation of geographical-historical groups, live forms (according to classifi cation by Raunkiaer), as well as selected ecological factors: light indicator (L), thermal indicator (T), soil moisture (W), trophic indicator (Tr), soil reaction (pH), value of resistance to increased heavy metals content (M). On 4 waste dumps there were found 269 species of vascular plants, belonging to 51 families. Only 5 species occurred on 4 sites, which provides for 2% of all plants recorded. The most numerous families are Asteraceae, Poaceae and Fabaceae. Apophytes dominate in waste dumps fl ora Hemicryptophytes are the most numerous group.Analysis of the fl oras (selected ecological factors) of investigated objects has shown general similarities, but also apparent differences. The most signifi cant differences concerned two parameters: trophism (Tr) and resistance to increased heavy metals content (M).
Swamp-originating meadows constituting indirect habitats between living peatlands and classical grasslands may be difficult to evaluate. An indiscriminate application of the oświt (2000) method for their valorization does not fully reflect their value, because of flora which is different from flora found in living peatlands (in particular, the invasion of less hygrophilous flora). Based on the research carried out in the years 2005-2010 on eight swamp-originating meadow complexes, the scale was elaborated which enabled to more accurately valorize these habitat and floristically changed areas. The quantities of valorization values obtained by use of the author's method rely on the occurrence frequency of a given species (a number of posts in a given area), taking into consideration moisture requirements (the moisture indicator). In the author's method values were also given for species not taken into account by oświt (2000). In addition, positive points were given for dying out species, and negative points for invasive species.
Genus Wolfia Horkel ex Schleiden (Araceae, former Lemnaceae) includes 11 species that are the smallest of known flowering plants. The genus is widespread in the world. In Europe, the only native species is Wolffia arrhiza. In Poland, it is considered to be relatively rare and until the end of the 20th century it was known from small number of populations dispersed throughout the country Poland. Our research focused on Lower Silesia population of Wolffia arrhiza. The study included the verification of historical sites of this species known from the literature and an inventory of the contemporary occurrence. It also aimed to explain the pattern of W. arrhiza occurrence in selected habitats and determine the ecological conditions and phytocoenoses of the reservoirs it inhabits. The research of the species showed extinction of historical sites and the current presence in 12 water reservoirs of different origin, size, depth and management method. The share of W. arrhiza in phytocoenosis patches in the individual reservoirs is very diverse and ranges from 15 to 80%. Presented data supplement the information on the occurrence of W. arrhiza in western Poland as well as provide new information on its biology and ecology.
Drainage and peat extraction may have a negative impact on existing hydrological conditions and, consequently, on the conditions of wetland ecosystems. The aim of this study was to assess human impact on the studied Trzcińskie Mokradła Peatland by comparing the concentrations and trace element (Pb, Zn, Cu, Cr and Ni) pools in the study area (extracted vs. non-extracted areas of peatland). The concentration of trace elements in organic soils and their pools were analysed in relation to their depth in the soil profiles, content of organic matter, soil pH values and the degree of decomposition of organic materials (peat, mursh). Fifteen soil profiles (90 samples) were examined. The total soil elements content was determined after digestion in a mixture of HCl+HNO3. The element pools were calculated and expressed in g m−2 of soil in 0–30 cm and 30–50 cm layers. Soils showed acidic or slightly acidic reactions. The high concentrations of Pb and Zn were mainly observed in the upper horizons. The deeper layers enriched with mineral fractions were also enriched in metals like Cr and Ni.
One of the necessary conditions for sustainable development is maintaining and developing environmental resources. The paper presents and discusses the idea that the field woods in the cities’ agricultural periphery, understood as habitats and not only a collection of trees, should be preserved and managed as a formal element of urban green infrastructure (GI). According to the authors, they should be seen as a great connecting element between urban green and the semi-natural areas outside. Even assuming the future land use transformation, it is worth preserving them from degradation just now. They play a role in protecting natural resources and the functions of ecosystems, expected from elements of GI, as they are a source of dispersion of various species of plants and animals benefit both for agricultural areas located further and for greenery in built-up areas. Using the authors’ own research on the farmland area situated within Wrocław administrative borders, and available literature, the following issues were considered: 1) the geographic and topographic characteristics of field woods, 2) evaluation of the role of field woods studied for the local biodiversity, 3) the risk factors for the degradation or disappearance of field woods and their biodiversity, 4) the legal regulations concerning the protection of field woods in Poland. Some legal and practical solutions are suggested.
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