Xerothermic swards occurring in Poland are extremely valuable communities because owing to the presence in them of plant species originating from warmer climatic zones they increase the biodiversity of domestic grass ecosystems. They also contribute to improvement of landscape amenities in the areas where they occur. The Malopolska Upland is a region where xerothermic swards are quite numerous. Generally they cover small areas, usually on sites where warm and dry habitats are found, mainly on strongly sun-heated slopes with southern aspect. Four plant alliances are present in the xerothermic swards on the Malopolska Upland Sisymbrio-Stipetum capillatae alliance can be encountered on gypsum rocks 129 covered with thin layer of loess soil. Another alliance forming on gypsum substratum covered with slightly thicker loess layer is Thalictro-Salvietum pratensis assemblage. The alliance frequently found on the Malopolska Upland is Inuletum ensifoliae covering the southern steep slopes of the terrain elevations developed from senonian marles. The fourth alliance of xerothermic vegetation commonly present on the Malopolska Upland is Adonido-Brachypodieto pinnati plant assemblage, encountered on deeper loamy-clay or humus brown soils similar to chernozems. Xerothermic swards, which are not climatic assemblages undergo a natural plant succession, changing into forest ecosystems. Therefore, human interference is crucial ...
The Malopolska Upland, with its beneficial geo-morphological, soil and climatic conditions is a place where xerothermic plant communities are quite numerous. Natural hazards to which these communities are exposed cause that in a vast majority they have been covered by various forms of protection. Vascular flora of Inuletum ensifoliae alliance in the Kalina-Lisiniec Special Habitat Protection Area, which reveals a considerable biodiversity, unique character and occurrence of protected and endangered species, plays a crucial role in the natural environment of the Miechowska Upland. The habitat covered by Inuletum ensifoliae alliance are mainly sandy loams and silt deposits. These are usually moderately poor (mesotrophic) soils, in vast majority alkaline, dry or ranging from dry to alkaline. Habitat conditions are characterized by a full or moderate insolation. ...
Green areas near communication routes not only retain rainwater, beneficially influence on the local microclimate but cleanse the air effectively too. Greenery planted along the roads and streets is exposed to biotic and abiotic environmental factors. Abiotic stress factors such as air and soil desiccation or extreme temperature have the greatest impact on plant development. The use of chemical and mechanical means to keep roads in good condition in winter negatively affect on the condition of trees and shrubs along the road zone. Proper management of green areas is to weaken the negative impact of urbanization, providing the water needed for the growth of plants and reducing maintenance costs. The basic functions of greenery and advantages of plants presence in urban landscape were presented in this paper. Solutions improving habitat conditions of greenery functioning in the vicinity of communication routes were also discussed. ...
Vascular flora of the investigated plant associations is characterized by a considerable biodiversity, unique character and occurrence of protected and threatened species, therefore playing an important role in the natural environment and being an important element of shaping the natural landscape. The assessment of the requirements of edaphic species of the investigated associations allowed for a characterization of the soil habitat as soils with granulometric composition from rubble, scree and gravel to sandy loams and silt deposits. These are mainly moderately poor (mesotrophic) to poor (oligotrophic) soils, prevailingly alkaline (pH>7), dry or to a lesser extend fresh. Climatic conditions in the presented habitat are characterized by full or moderate insolation. They are thermally privileged areas or moderately warm. ...
