Thermophilic plant communities in Natura 2000 site Laki nadWojkowka PLH 180051 - Podkarpacie Province

Xerothermic grasslands are among the most valuable and, at the same time, the most vulnerableelements of the natural environment of Poland. Their high natural value is reflected in thepresence of numerous species of plants originating from warmer, steppe regions of Europe, whichincrease the biodiversity of local ecosystems. In our climate circumstances, such plant communitieshave extrazonal character and only occur in places with specific habitat conditions. The grasslandsgenerally occupy small areas, usually in warm and dry habitats, mainly on slopes exposed to strongsunlight and slopes with southern exposures. The aim of the research was to provide a phytosociologicalcharacteristics of the thermophilous grasslands PLH 180051 - Laki nad Wojkowka,their distribution and threats as well as the prospects for conservation of the communities. Onthe study area, a significant share belongs to the communities with species characteristic of theFestuco-Brometea class and Trifolio-Geranietea class. Lack ofspecies characteristic for lower syntaxonomicunits does not allow for them to be classified as an association.