Rare and protected species in the drainage ditches and adjacent phytocoenoses in the Polesie National Park

Barbara Banach

doi:10.5586/aa.2008.038

Abstract

This paper presents the results of a floristic study conducted in the years 2003 - 2005 within the area of the Polesie National Park and its protective zone. Floristic inventories were carried out in twelve 100-metre-long sections of the drainage ditches and adjacent phytocoenoses and based on them office analyses of the flora were performed. The aim of the study was to determine the share of species with special natural values in the drainage ditches, taking into account the occurrence of legally protected, rare and endangered taxa at the regional level, in Poland and in Europe. The share of these species was also compared with the richness of special concern plants noted in the phytocoenoses adjacent to the investigated ditches. Based on the floristic composition, an analysis was made of the occurrence of taxa whose number of stands shows a declining trend compared to the Polish flora. The number of vascular plant species found in the ditches and in their vicinity was similar, but the low values of the similarity index suggest differences in the species composition of these habitats, which results in greater species diversity. The presence of special concern plants in the drainage ditches suggests that they are valuable habitats for the Polesie National Park. They create niches for rare, protected and endangered species.

Highlights

Biological diversity, in particular over the recent time, has been severely threatened by human activity
In the flora of the drainage ditches in the Polesie National Park (PNP) and their adjacent phytocoenoses, the presence of 30 taxa was noted which are mentioned in the lists of the so-called “special concern” species. 222 vascular flora species, including 18 rare or protected species, were noted in the drainage ditches, whereas in the adjacent phytocoenoses 182 vascular flora species, including 16 covered by different forms of protection (Tab. 1)
From “The red list of endangered vascular plants in Poland” (Zarzycki and Szeląg, 1992), one species was noted in the PNP ditches, notably Epipactis palustris at site no

Summary

Introduction

Biological diversity, in particular over the recent time, has been severely threatened by human activity. It is estimated that every day about 70 organism species disappear irretrievably from our planet. If this number is converted into months or years, it will show a frightening result. One of the reasons for the dying-out of species is wetland drainage (Tomiałojć , 1995). In Poland most wetlands are subjected to anthropopressure, mainly involving their drainage (Jasnowski , 1972). Such activities have contributed to a reduction in species diversity of plants and animals characteristic of such areas

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion