The impact of land use and water quality on the flora of ecotones along a small lowland river (Central Poland)

Abstract

The presented study describes the plant species diversity within the terrestrial-water ecotone in relation to the land-use form in a river valley. The study was performed in a lowland river valley where the main forms of riparian zones are partially urbanized, forested and agricultural; the latter being most commonly observed in the investigated region. The present study examines the vascular flora of ecotones where more than 100 plant species were identified. Ecological indices were calculated at all sampling sites based on Zarzycki's ecological values and biodiversity indices. In addition, the aim of the study was to identify the relationships between the physico-chemical parameters of the water and the floristic indicators in the neighbouring ecotones.