Abstract
The research, in 2004, was focused on the whole population of <em>Anemone sylvestris</em> (Snowdrop Windflower) present in the area of a kettle hole (0.8 km2) in north-eastern Poland (52°50’00’’N; 23°11’20’’E). The location of 56 clumps of generative specimens was surveyed. They numbered from several to approx. 1500 specimens. The number of generative specimens in this population exceeded 10 000. On account of this, it is a unique stand of <em>A. sylvestris</em> in Poland. The relationship between the occurrence of the Snowdrop Windflower and the presence of kame hills and ridges has been proven. Low slopes of kame with an inclination of 10-20<sup>o</sup>, and a north-eastern or eastern exposition has been found as the local ecological optimum for this species. Research carried out in 1970-2001 on 5 permanent plots (25 m2 each) has shown that: 1) <em>Anemone sylvestris</em> is an essential element of xerothermic grasslands of the order <em>Festucetalia valesiacae</em>; 2) the species suddenly withdraws from the parts of land on which woody species have already reached the shrub layer; 3) the greatest danger for the population of <em>A. sylvestris</em> in this area is the process of secondary succession initiated by the discontinuation of grazing on the kame hills.
Highlights
Research areaThe research was carried out in north-eastern Poland, in the vicinity of the village of Haæki, situated on Równina Bielska (Bielska Plain)
Kame hills occur there in a kettle hole occupying an area of 0.8 km2
The purpose of this work was: 1) estimation of the size of the Anemone sylvestris population present in the vicinity of Haæki; 2) ascertation of the relationship between the occurrence of this species and exposition, as well as the inclination of kame slopes occurring in this area; 3) determination of the function of this species in the process of the secondary succession of xerothermic grasslands after the discontinuation of grazing
Summary
The research was carried out in north-eastern Poland, in the vicinity of the village of Haæki, situated on Równina Bielska (Bielska Plain). The area is surrounded by Drohicka, Wysokomazowiecka, and Bia3ostocka High Plains. The flat and slightly rolling landscape of the plain is diversified by the presence of moraine and kame hills. Numerous concentrations of these hills occur in the vicinity of Haæki (52°50N; 23°1120E). Kame hills occur there in a kettle hole occupying an area of 0.8 km. The kettle hole is surrounded by a post-glacial kame plateau 166.5 m above sea level. The kettle hole, situated at 130-140 m, is limited by steep slopes over 12 metres high. At the bottom of the kettle hole five kame hills and five kame ridges are found (Kondratiuk 1995; Kmieciak 2001; Brud 2001; Brud and Kupryjanowicz 2002; Ber 2005)
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