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Pomerania is rich in various peatlands (fens, transitional bogs, raised bogs, spring-water mires, etc.), which support many rare and threatened plant species. This study was aimed: (1) to determine the phytogeographic diversity of Pomeranian peatland vascular plants associated with the classes Oxycocco-Sphagnetea and Scheuchzerio-Caricetea nigrae; (2) to attempt a reconstruction of the history of their postglacial migrations; and (3) to assess the dynamic trends of selected species. A database of records of 83 Pomeranian peatland plants was created, and cartograms of their distribution in Pomerania were made. Each taxon was briefly described, considering its distribution, phytocoenotic spectrum, and biological properties (e.g. pollination mode, diaspores dispersal). The phytogeographic analysis took into account geographic and directional elements, as well as mountain species found in Pomeranian peatlands. The plantsí potential for colonization of new sites was assessed on the basis of Raunkiaerís life forms, modes of pollination and seed dispersal, and types of life strategies. As a result of numerical analysis and visual comparison of cartograms, 5 regional distributional types were distinguished: western, northern, eastern, all-Pomeranian, and disjunct. Within the eastern and all-Pomeranian types, which showed internal variation, several subtypes were distinguished. Most of the considered climatic variables (growing season length, temperature, and precipitation variables) were found to affect significantly the floristic variation of Pomeranian peatlands. The available palaeobotanical, palaeoclimatic, palaeoecological, and phytogeographic data, as well as original field research on the distribution of the taxa, allowed the formulation of hypotheses on the time and directions of their migration into Pomerania. Moreover, dynamic trends of selected species are analysed, and the decline of many peatland plant species in Pomerania is discussed.

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Recently, the interest in mushroom consumption has been growing, since their taste and low calorific value are appreciated, but also due to their nutritional value. In determining the usefulness of mushrooms in the human diet, it is important to consider the conditions of their occurrence to perform the assessment of bioaccumulation of minerals. The aim of the study was: (a) to determine the content of selected macronutrients (P, K, Ca, Mg, Na) in fruiting bodies of Boletus edulis, Imleria badia, Leccinum scabrum and the soils, (b) to determine their bioaccumulation potential taking into account the habitat conditions, and (c) an attempt to estimate their role in covering the requirement for macronutrients of the human organism. The research material was obtained in the NW of Poland: Uznam and Wolin, the Drawa Plain and the Ińsko Lakeland. In the soil, we determined the content of organic matter, pH, salinity and the content of absorbable and general forms of macronutrients. The content of macronutrients in mushrooms was also determined. Chemical analyses were performed using the generally accepted test methods. The study showed that in NW Poland, B. edulis grew on the acidic soils of Arenosols, and I. badia and L. scabrum grew on Podzols. The uptake of K, Mg and Ca by the tested mushrooms was positively, and P and Na negatively correlated with the content of these elements in the soil. The acidity of the soil affected the uptake of K and Mg by mushrooms. There was no effect of the amount of organic matter in the soil noticed on the content of macronutrients (except sodium) in mushrooms. Among the studied macronutrients, none of the mushrooms accumulated Ca, while P and K were generally accumulated in the highest amounts, regardless of the species. Each of the other elements was usually accumulated at a similar level in the fruiting bodies of the species we studied. The exception was I. badia, which accumulated higher amounts of Mg compared to B. edulis and L. scabrum. Mushrooms can enrich the diet with some macronutrients, especially in P and K.

The study was performed on Centaurea cyanus, Chamomilla recutita, Majorana hortensis, Ocimum basilicum, Plantago lanceolata, Sinapis alba, and Valeriana officinalis harvested in Lithuania, Poland, and Ukraine. Our aim was to determine the differences in selenium concentrations, total polyphenols, and the antioxidant activity in same-species samples from different regions. Another goal was to assess the correlations between these variables within the species. We found variations in most species, but not in all regions of harvesting. In four of the six species from Ukraine, we observed the highest concentration of Se. The selenium concentrations ranged from 15–182 µg/kg DW, and the greatest variation between the regions occurred in S. alba. The level of polyphenols was 5.52–53.25 mg TAE/100 g DW, and the largest differences between the sampling regions occurred in P. lanceolata and O. basilicum. ABTS radicals scavenging ability ranged from 5.20–59.79 μM AAE/100 g DW, while the FRAP potential was 13.56–409.14 μM FeE/100 g DW. The largest differences in antioxidant activity were found in O. basilicum and M. hortensis. Pearson’s correlation coefficients indicate that polyphenols may be responsible for antioxidant activity in Ch. recutita, O. basilicum, and V. officinalis, and selenium is responsible for antioxidant activity in M. hortensis. However, both polyphenols and selenium play a role in the antioxidant properties of C. cyanus and P. lanceolata. Also, selenium in C. cyanus and Ch. recutita may affect the level of total polyphenols. The examined species may supplement the human diet with exogenous antioxidants.