The population of Adonis vernalis in the Niecka Nidziańska basin has been described. The distribution of its resources, habitat requirements, threats and possibilities of protection are discussed. The occurrence of the species at 73 localities is confirmed. The development and persistence of the entire population depend on the dynamics of natural phytocoenoses in which grows. Resources, surface areas and development dynamics differ in individual subpopulations. Guidelines for collecting Adonis vernalis herb as a pharmacological material are given. Despite the number of the localities, the plant is under threat by overgrowing with bushes and resulting changes in light conditions as well as by frequent and excessive burning of xerothermic grasslands.
Occurrence of rare and protected plant species is regarded as a strong argument for creating a protected area. It is therefore especially important to know whether rare and protected species are reliable indicators of abundance of other, more common, unprotected species. We analysed co-occurrence of protected and rare species with other xerothermic plant species in calcareous xeric grassland in Western Poland. In the years 2005–2006, on 62 plots (25 m² each) we identified vascular plants on a 60 km² area in the Odra R. Valley and its smaller tributaries valleys. Legally protected species appeared not to be better indicators of xerothermic species richness than non-protected species. The rarest species (Anthericum liliago L., Carex supina Willd. ex Wahlenb. and Stipa borysthenica Klokov ex Prok.) were significantly less useful indicators of xerothermic species richness than other rare and common species. These results let us conclude that designing a network of protected areas on the basis of rare and protected species may result that some common species, biodiversity hotspots or well developed phytocenoses will be ignored.
This research sought to indicate changes in the area of plant communities designated for protection in part of the middle Vistula river valley. The study concerned the 50-year period 1949–2001, with the changes registered cartographically. The study area (about 905 km2) is located between the Sanna confluence above Annopol and Góra Kalwaria (from km 295 to km 482 of the river course). The analysis of changes determined the general trends of the natural environment transformation in the second half of 20th century that helped to indicate areas that should be protected additionally. Nineteen types of habitats listed in legal statutes (Habitats Directive etc.) were identified in the chosen part of the valley. Over 50 years, grassland communities have undergone the most significant modifications. Vegetation changes reveal a tendency of a lowering of the water level or a change in the horizontal movement of water as well as of aggradation (increased sediment accumulation) in the river-channel. There are indications that two specific areas should be protected additionally because of the definite presence of valuable natural habitats.
The paper presents three new localities of Nasturtium microphyllum reported on the Ilanka River near Rzepin. In one of the localities onerow yellowcress specimens were in the flowering and fruiting stages, while in the two other localities plants were flowering, but they were not bearing fruits. Fruiting specimens were identifi ed on the basis of seed sculpture traits, while flowering plants – by flow cytometry, based on the genome size.