6533b852fe1ef96bd12aac1f

RESEARCH PRODUCT

Veronico beccabungae-callitrichetum stagnalis (Oberd. 1957) Müller 1962, a plant association new to Poland - Quality of habitat

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description

The paper presents a community of water plants that is new to Poland, <em>Veronico beccabungae-Callitrichetum</em> stagnalis (Oberd. 1957) Müller 1962. This community belongs to the class <em>Potametea</em>. It was discovered in the village of Odrowąż near the town of Krapkowice in Silesia (SW Poland). <em>Veronico beccabungae-Callitrichetum stagnalis</em> in Poland occurs within an irregularly shaped shallow underwater spring, located in the distal part of the Oder River’s flood terrace. This plant community covered 0.2 ha in 2008. <em>Callitriche stagnalis</em> predominated in this community. Species such as <em>Callitriche hamulata</em> and <em>Callitriche verna</em> occurred less frequently. An average of five species were counted in a relevé. Alkaline sediments (pH 8.03) occur in the substratum, but sediments with a lower pH value (7.73) occur in the spring’s outflow zone towards the Odra River. Water in the spring, where <em>Veronico beccabungae-Callitrichetum stagnalis</em> occurred, has a medium mineralisation but is rich in dissolved compounds. The condition of this community within the studied habitat could be evidence for highly adaptive abilities and this community's good adjustment to the natural conditions. <em>Veronico beccabungae-Callitrichetum stagnalis</em> is a rare and endangered plant community in Central Europe. The locality of this plant community in Poland should be given species protection.