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RESEARCH PRODUCT

Threatened Plant Communities as an Indicator of Fishponds Value: An Example from Silesia (Sw Poland)

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This paper presents the first results of studies of fishpond plant communities of Silesia (SW Poland). On fishponds, many rare and threatened plant associations were found, especially within the aquatic, mud and rush communities. Among the most interesting are: Lemno minoris-Salvinietum natantis, Trapetum natantis, Eleocharetum ovatae and Scirpetum radicantis. The majority of the above-mentioned associations occur only in artificial fishpond reservoirs within the region. Thus, to reach an effective level of conservation, co-operation between biologists and owners, and integration of conservation and agricultural activities, have to be achieved. This would be the only way to stop the impoverishment of the biological diversity of these hydrophilous ecosystems. Also it seems to be essential to establish the legally based protection system for the most valuable fishponds. Phytosociological methods of evaluation were effectively used to find the priority areas.