Habitat conditions and diversity of flora based on transitional peat bog in Bledow on the Silesian Upland

Abstract

Presented research focused on determining the characteristics of soils, waters and vegetation covering a transitional peat bog in Bledow and potential hazards which might cause its degradation. Four soil pits were made for this purpose and piezometers were installed in their immediate vicinity. It allowed investigation of physical and chemical properties of this habitat waters. Diversity of the peat bog vegetation was determined on the basis of 17 phytosociological releves made by Braun-Blanquet’s method. The results demonstrated that the analysed peat bog is at the accumulation phase and the main factor shaping the habitat conditions in the peat bog itself and on its edge was high groundwater level. On the other hand, the feeding water and its level affected chemical and physical properties of the analysed peat bog soils. Low value of the studied peat bog water mineralisation and low share of calcium and magnesium ions in the mineralisation influenced low pH values and low degree of base cation saturation, which has been reflected in the floristic composition of the peat bog. In conditions of high moisture content, a process of organic matter accumulation was taking place in the surface horizons, whereas on the peat bog and on its edge an apparent soil and vegetation zonation was visible. On the edge of the peat bog trees encroaching into Sphagno recurvi-Eriophoretum angustifolii peat bog patches was observed on semi-hydrogenic soils and disappearance of species of the Scheuchzerio-Caricetea nigrae class. It was found that disturbance of natural water relationships poses the most serious potential hazard to the analysed peat bog.