The vegetation of “Dzięcioły” earthwork (Siedlecka Plateau)

Abstract

The early-medieval earthwork “Dziecioly”, of the area of 8 ha, is situated in the Sarnaki forest district (Mazovia Province). The whole object is overgrown by deciduous forest vegetation. Two well-preserved subassociations of oak-hornbeam forest – Tilio-Carpinetum typicum and T.-C. corydaletosum, protected by Nature 2000 Directive, were identified. The flora of the earthwork includes 184 vascular plant species, of which 5 are protected and 6 regionally threatened. Species characteristic of deciduous forests and forest edge communities (63.6%) dominate over meadow (16.3%) and aquatic and rush plants (13.6%). The share of synanthropic species is still very low (6.0%). Due to large archaeological and natural values, spatial protection of the earthwork as a nature reserve, was suggested.