Spring flora diversity versus ecosystem stressors: case studies from the Western Roztocze and Lublin Upland border, South-East Poland

Abstract

The paper summarises the results of floristic studies of the largest springs in the border zone between the Western Roztocze Highlands and Lublin Upland with particular emphasis on the proper crenophytes. In the vegetation season 2015, the investigations were conducted in 25 separate niches of 18 springs. For each object, habitat characteristics of the spring niche (including ecosystem stressors) and spring flora features were analysed. The assessment of the naturalness of the spring was based on the values of the coefficients of flora crenophytisation and neophytisation. The flora of the analysed objects comprised 170 species, with 146 vascular plants and 24 bryophytes, which included 3 archeophytes (”old-comers”) and 7 kenophytes (“new-comers”). The values of crenophytisation coefficients, both in terms of species richness and species coverage, were higher than the values of neophytisation coefficients. Generally, the flora of the spring niches is influenced by habitat factors such as light and trophy, which are modified by disturbances. Flooding increases the number and abundance of proper crenophytes and enhances habitat trophy. Anthropogenic stressors associated with the character of the niche surroundings and the degree of transformation thereof improve the light conditions, thereby enhancing the species richness of proper crenophytes.