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Jerusalem artichoke could be used as a source of renewable energy in the meaning of biomass combustion or liquid fuels production. The presented study concerned on the impact of JA plantation for biomass combustion on plant diversity. The spontaneous vegetation of JA crops studied on the basis of phytosociological methods consisted of varied groups of species that contain weeds (32%), meadow (29%), and ruderal (13%) species. Most of the species occurred sporadically (55%) with low frequency. Most of the plants accompanying JA cultivation were perennial, mainly hemicryptophytes (51%) with a smaller number of geophytes (17%). Therophytes constituted 25% of spontaneous flora of JA crops. It can be proposed the group of generalist energy crop weeds with Convolvulus arvensis, Elymus repens, Equisetum arvense, Ranunculus repens, and Rumex obtusifolius.

Streszczenie W pracy przedstawiono nowe stanowiska 18 rzadkich (lub regionalnie rzadkich) roślin naczyniowych w Polsce (rodzimych i obcych), tj. Allium victorialis , Asclepias syriaca , Carex brizoides , Cephalanthera rubra , Cypripedium calceolus , Eragrostis albensis , Erysimum pieninicum , Gentiana cruciata , Lepidium coronopus , L. latifolium , Limosella aquatica , Lycopodiella inundata , Orobanche centaurina , O. lutea , Silaum silaus , Taraxacum paucilobum , Tragus racemosus oraz Trapa natans .

Retraction notice: Upon the request of the authors, this review has been retracted. The reason for it is that the last decade of geobotanical studies in Kraków has not been described in depth and this affects the conclusions. Kraków Geobotanical School is considered one of the oldest and longest-operating botanical schools in Europe; it was active from 1859 to 2020. The purpose of this article is to summarize the achievements of the school. We divided the history of the school into six periods: ( i ) the Formation period (1859–1903); ( ii ) the Romantic period (1903–1917), wherein long-term research projects were completed and with M. Raciborski considered as the first headmaster of the school; ( iii ) the Classical period (1917–1970), wherein new ideas and research techniques were developed with W. Szafer as the headmaster; ( iv ) the Duumvirate period (1971–1993), with J. Kornaś and A. Jasiewicz as the headmasters; ( v ) the Descendant schools period (1994–2010), wherein traditional (morphological) methods were utilized; and ( vi ) the Decline period (2011–2020). Each of these periods was characterized by the names of the headmasters or leaders, their roles, and their main achievements. We suppose that Kraków Geobotanical School, in its present structure, has finished its scientific activity, for which we present a few arguments. We have attached to the main text of the article, an extensive tables containing the topics of geobotanical research carried out in each of the six periods, along with publication samples. The most important scientific achievements of Kraków Geobotanical School are the following: several thousand publications, including monographs and syntheses of knowledge on Polish flora and vegetation; introduction of new disciplines in Poland (e.g., paleobotany, nature conservation, phytosociology, palynology, study on synanthropization); description of new plant and fungus taxa; and identification of syntaxonomic units in Poland and abroad.

Ungulate herbivore populations are increasing across Europe with important implications for forest plant communities. Concurrently, atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition continues to eutrophy forests, threatening many rare plant species. These pressures may critically interact to shape biodiversity as in grassland and tundra systems, yet any potential interactions in forests remain poorly understood. Here we combined vegetation resurveys from 52 sites in 13 European countries to test how changes in ungulate herbivory and eutrophication drive long-term changes in forest understorey communities. Changes in herbivory increased temporal species turnover, however, identities of winner and loser species depended strongly on N levels. Under low level N-deposition, herbivory favored threatened and small-ranged species, while reducing non-native and nutrient-demanding species. Yet all these trends were reversed under high levels of N-deposition. Herbivores also reduced shrub cover, likely exacerbating N effects by increasing light levels in the understorey. Eutrophication levels may therefore determine whether herbivory acts as a global change catalyst for the “N time bomb”, or as a conservation tool in forests.

This study attempts to determine which of the habitats occupied by

The subalpine vegetation in the Eastern Carpathians has been under agropastoral influence as a high-mountain open pasture for about five centuries. Today, the subalpine zone released by human intervention is growing as thickets. In this study, we use a numerical model of tree crowns (CHM, Canopy Height Model) based on laser scanning (LiDAR) and a high-resolution digital terrain model (DTM) to delineate the subalpine thicket distribution. Anselin ‘Local Moran's I’ statistic was used to find hot and cold spots in vegetation cover. We used a logistic generalized linear model (GLM) and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to set for the historical, climatic and terrain conditions candidates as the predictors of the present-day distribution of vegetation hot spots. We use variance partitioning to assess the interaction of climate and terrain variables. The resulting model suggests key environmental controls that underlie the vegetation pattern. Namely, snow in terrain depressions protects woody vegetation against abrasion and winter drought and increased insolation reduces the site humidity in the summer on S-E exposure hampering re-vegetation. In addition, the increasing distance from the treeline declines the rate of secondary succession. In all, the spatial model predicts the 35% coverage by thickets as a theoretical maximum of available climatic-terrain niches. The results suggest that the growth of the subalpine thicket, in the face of growing global temperature, may be restricted due to the limited number of niches available.

Phacelia tanacetifolia Benth. is a melliferous, phytosanitary fodder plant. An important factor in understanding the biology of this plant is to investigate its allelopathic potential. In the experiment conducted here, ×Triticosecale Wittm. cv. Mamut was treated with water extracts from the roots, stems, leaves, and flowers of phacelia at concentrations of 10%, 12.5%, 15%, and control with 0% of extract. After 7 days of exposure, the germination of grains was assessed by analysing, seedling growth, mass parameters, water content, and electrolytes leakage. Aqueous extracts from the stalks, leaves, and flowers of phacelia significantly inhibited kernel germination at a 10% concentration, and from roots at a 12.5% concentration. The elongation growth of triticale seedlings was significantly inhibited by each of the extracts. Extracts from the leaves and flowers caused a significant reduction in fresh mass at a 10% concentration and extracts from the stalks at a 12.5% concentration. A significant reduction in water content was also found in seedlings watered with extracts of 10% from roots, stalks, and leaves and 12.5% from flowers. Extracts from phacelia roots at a 12.5% concentration and extracts from stalks, leaves, and flowers at a 10% concentration significantly increased the leakage of electrolytes. In general, phacelia exhibits allelopathic potential at higher concentrations of extracts.

Due to an internal figure processing error the article was published with erroneous renderings of Figs. 1, 2, and 3.

The article presents the history of the Herbarium of the Jagiellonian University (KRA), the oldest herbarium associated with a university in Poland, which is among the 30 oldest herbaria in the world. It was established in 1780 and was part of the Cabinet of Natural History of the Jagiellonian University. Nowadays, the Herbarium is part of the Institute of Botany at Jagiellonian University. The oldest collections come from the 18th century. The Herbarium consists of about 885,000 sheets and bags, and is subdivided into five sections: vascular plants, bryophytes, lichens and algae, and slime molds. The separated collection is the paleoherbarium. The curators of the Herbarium sections during its history are listed. The list of the most important publications (sources) is also presented.

Seed predation has been suggested to play a crucial role in plant population dynamics and could act as a strong selective force in the evolution of plant traits such as plant phenology, size and number of flowers. The loss of seeds could be particularly threatening for population maintenance of rare plant species. We investigated the influence of seed predators on plant fitness of the rare monocarpic thistle Cirsium decussatum. We tested the following hypotheses: (1) pre-dispersal seed predators reduce the number of dispersed propagules; (2) seed predators select larger inflorescences as oviposition sites; (3) the size of the capitulum is correlated with seed productivity; and (4) seed predators compete for the oviposition sites. We identified ten insect taxa from different taxonomic groups in the capitula of C. decussatum. Terellia longicauda larvae (Diptera: Tephritidae) were the most common. The presence of the flies’ larvae was positively correlated with the predation level in the capitula. Females of T. longicauda selected larger inflorescences for laying eggs that may increase offspring fitness as larger inflorescences promise more food resources. We could not prove the presence of competition between insect species inhabiting the capitula. Our data suggest, however, that T. longicauda, a specialized seminophagous dipteran, is one of the factors that negatively influence the fitness of threatened C. decussatum, lowering significantly the seed pool. Terellia longicauda potentially acts as a strong selective force in the evolution of C. decussatum inflorescence size.

The effect of meadow management type on selected population traits of the rare plant Angelica palustris was examined. The study was carried out in a regularly mown meadow (Plot I), an abandoned meadow with medium high plants (Plot II) and an abandoned meadow with high plants (Plot III) situated in southern Poland (Proszowice Plateau). Observations conducted in the years 2010 and 2011 showed greater abundance of A. palustris in Plot I than in Plots II and III. This pointed to the significance of disturbance caused by mowing, which creates gaps in the plant cover and litter layer that become safe sites for A. palustris seedling recruitment and their subsequent growth. In the abandoned meadows a diminishing share of vegetative individuals and a reduction in the number of flowering stems in generative individuals were found. The height of generative stems in the abandoned meadows was higher than in the mown one as a response to the height of neighbouring plants. The number of umbels per stem and number of umbellets per umbel were positively correlated with the height of the stem. In light of our investigations, it can be stated that regular mowing has a beneficial effect on the state of populations of A. palustris. On the other hand, the formation of highly productive generative stems with substantial numbers of inflorescences and infructescences in abandoned meadows may promote successful seed dispersal and an escape from an unfavourable site.

Small balsam Impatiens parviflora DC. (Balsaminaceae) is the invasive species that colonises natural European forest. The morphological and physiological traits of the species under different natural conditions were analysed. The studies were carried out in the forest communities in the National Park (Ojców National Park – Southern Poland) with the known history of the plot: P1 – bottom of the valley, Alno-Ulmion Br.-Bl. et R.Tx. 1943, P2 – terrace of the valley, Tilio-Carpinetum Tracz. 1962 stachyetosum, P3 – south slope of the valley, Tilio-Carpinetum Tracz. 1962 typicum. The plots differed with the soil parameters and microclimatic conditions as well as with species richness, species composition and cover of I. parviflora. The significant statistical differences in the length of the aboveground parts of collected small balsam specimens on the studied plots were showed. The longest shoots among specimens growing in plot P1, and the shortest in plot P3 were observed. In the above ground part of plants, the highest values of water content among the specimens on plot P1 and the lowest on plot P3 were revealed. The highest percentage of electrolytes leakage among the specimens from the plot P2 and the lowest of the plot P1 were observed. The significant differences of the chlorophyll a fluorescence of I. parviflora leaves on the plot P2 were observed, compared to specimens from the two remaining plots. The results pointed that disturbance light availability in dense forest canopy could influence on abundance the local population of small balsam.

Due to easy vegetative and generative reproduction, the most part of the Cirsium species are considered as common weeds in different kinds of crops, on meadows and pastures. They owe their success in acquiring new area, both morphological and physiological characteristics, such as the production of allelopathic substances. An example the species within of the Cirsium genus, which may have the allelopathic properties, is cabbage thistle C. oleraceum (L.) Scop. It is a common meadow perennial plant, which in disturbed habitats quickly becomes expansive species, eliminating the other components of the flora. Such phenomenon is well-documented on the meadows of the Ojców National Park (Southern Poland). Therefore, it was investigated the effect of aqueous extracts of dried leaves C. oleraceum on seed germination, seedlings growth, the fresh and dry weight and the water content of the seedlings in three meadow species: Trifolium pratense L., Lolium multiflorum Lam. and Dactylis glomerata L. The results showed that C. oleraceum exhibits the allelopathic potential, which may have limited effect on the studied parameters of fodder species, but only when using high concentrations of extracts prepared from the leaves (15% and 20%). D. glomerata was the most sensitive on the C. oleraceum allelopathic substances.

Gypsophila perfoliata L. is a maritime sand-dune species naturally occurring in Asia and southeastern Europe. In Europe it also is found in ruderal habitats rarely, mainly along railway lines. In Poland the species was first recorded in the 1950s; it was found only at railway stations where iron ore was offloaded from the Kryvyi Rih region, Ukraine. Recently it was found in a new type of habitat: the roadside of a main road in the Carpathians. The paper characterizes the current status, distribution and habitat spectrum of this alien species in Poland.

Influence of aqueous extracts of aboveground organs of common crop weeds Stellaria media on germination and seedlings growth of radish (Raphanus sativus L. var. radicula Pers.) was studied. Three different cultivars of radish (i.e. ‘Rowa’, ‘Krakowianka’, and ‘Półdługa’) were used to investigate if Stellaria media could produce allelopathins and if the impact of allelopathins differs between cultivars. The influence of allelopathins in various form of extracts was checked, i.e. decoction, infusion, and macerate, as the impact on germination rate, seedling growth (length and mass), and electrolyte leakage. Compared to the control group (distilled water used) the germination rate of radish seeds was lower, independently of the type of S. media extracts used. The growth of seedlings differed between cultivars and form of extract. It was noticed the inhibition of seedling growth for ‘Półdługa’ cultivar independently of extract form. The growth of two other cultivars was stimulated by the infusion, and slightly inhibited by the decoction and macerate. The extracts reduced the outflow of electrolytes through the cell membranes of radish seedlings of all but one the analysed radish cultivars. The exception was the macerate, which in the ‘Rowa’ cultivar caused the increase of the electrolyte leakage.

Seslerio uliginosae-Scorzoneretum purpureae is the only xerothermic community of the Festuco-Brometea class, where a rare species known as Sesleria uliginosa occurs in Poland. A couple of sites hosting this association in the Nida Basin were described in the 1920s and 1950s. All these stands are now situated in the areas designated as xerothermic nature reserves. The study aimed at describing the present-day characteristics of this rare association, the most likely being endemic in Poland, as well as the changes that have occurred in it. The species diversity and the contribution of xerothermic plants have decreased significantly in terms of their number and cover coefficient. Some of the diagnostic species of the association have become extremely rare. Sesleria uliginosa is the only one without visible changes in their dominant position in the community. Mosses, that have played a significant role before, were among the vanished species. At the same time, an increase in number and cover of mesophilous meadows species was observed. Mesophilous grasses belong to the group of species growing in significance in the phytocoenoses. The observed changes in species composition were reflected in a statistically significant increase of nitrogen indicator value. The slow process of succession observed in the Seslerio-Scorzoneretum purpureae could be attributed to the lack of appropriate land use, e.g. mowing and grazing that have been ceased in the nature reserves.

The anthropogenic pressure of the forest communities of the Strzyżowskie Foothills (the Western Carpathians) was estimated on the basis of phytosociological materials. Carr communities are among the most threatened by invasive and alien species of the forest flora. The phenomenon of invasiveness of native species such as Calamagrostis epigejos or Carex brizoides was described. The highest number of ancient woodland indicator species was noted in the beech forest.

The results of phytosociological studies on the diversity of alder-ash and willow communities in the Pogórze Strzyżowskie foothills are presented. These communities, especially Carici remotae-Fraxinetum are increasingly rare in the landscape of the Carpathians. The paper supports new data allowing better understanding of the diversity of the Carici remotae-Fraxinetum in the southern Poland. On the basis of 59 phytosociological releves two sub-associations were identified: C.r.-F. chrysosplenietosum and C. r.-F. equisetetosum maximii and the form with Alnus incana. The association Carici remotae-Fraxinetum belongs to submontane regional form and to East Carpathian variant. The significance of Caltha palustris-Chaerophyllum hirsutum community is also presented, along with the role of Carex pendula and Matteucia struthiopteris. The paper provides also documentary data on sporadic occurrence of Salicetum triandro-viminalis and Salicetum albo-fragilis communities.

Rare and endangered species in communities of the Adenostylion alliariae alliance in the Carpathian Mountains The Adenostylion alliariae alliance (Mulgedio-Aconitetea class) comprises plant communities which grow optimally in the subalpine zone of the European mountain ranges. The flora of these communities consists of more than four hundred taxa of vascular plants. Some of the diagnostic species are valuable and rare, either in the Carpathians as a whole or in the countries in which the Carpathians lie. In the flora of the plant communities studied, five taxa are indexed in the Polish Red Book of Endangered Plant Species, thirteen taxa are endemic to the Carpathians, and fourteen represent the eastern biogeographical element in the Polish flora. Two taxa are listed in the Annex II of the Habitats Directive.

The paper presents a syntaxonomical revision of plant communities in the Carpathians dominated by Rumex alpinus L. The study has been based on 252 published releves obtained in various Carpathian massifs, pre- senting phytocoenoses of anthropogenic (zoogenic) origin, and probably natural ones as well. As a result of nu- merical analyses, three associations were distinguished: Aconito firmi-Rumicetum alpini, Heracleo pal- mati-Rumicetum alpini (which are probably natural associations), and an anthropogenic association known as Rumicetum alpini. Within Rumicetum alpini, three subassociations ( senecionetosum nemorensis, po- etosum annue, typicum), two geographical variants (East-Carpathian and West-Carpathian), and some altitu- dinal forms (high-montane and low-montane) were distinguished. Aconito-Rumicetum alpini and Heracleo- Rumicetum alpini were placed within the class Mulgedio-Aconitetea and Rumicetum alpini within the class Galio-Urticetea. The discussion includes the origin of the phytocoenoses and their temporal variability.

The montane and subalpine forests of a mountain range in northwestern Montana were investigated using phytosociological and numerical methods. Twelve associations and two subassociations were identified, of which eight are described here for the first time. The forest vegetation of valleys and lower slopes is strongly affected by repeated fire and is placed in the new orderCalamagrostio-Pseudotsugetalia glaucae, which includes temperate, low elevation forests in inland regions of northwestern North America. These forests bear only weak resemblance to forests traditionally assigned to the classVaccinio-Piceetea, and occupy the habitats filled by broad-leaved forests elsewhere at temperate latitudes. Montane and subalpine forest vegetation is moister and has longer snow duration and a shorter growing season. Upper montane vegetation more closely resembles that of other temperate montane forests of the classVaccinio-Piceetea.

The research on the influence of habitat conditions on the traits of Filipendula vulgaris were carried out in 2015 and 2016 in abandoned wet meadows (Patches I and II) and frequently disturbed, calcareous grasslands (Patches III and IV). The cover of vas- cular plants and cryptogams was much greater and soil pH was remarkably lower in the meadow patches than in the grassland ones, whereas the height of neighbouring plants and soil humidity gradually decreased from Patches I to IV. The meadow populations of F.vulgaris showed much lower abundance as well as lower total relative abundance of seedlings and vegetative rosettes compared to the grassland populations due to the scarcity of safe sites for offspring recruitment. Rosettes presenting solely spatial variability were characterised by a significantly greater number of short leaves in the meadow populations or not numerous, large leaves in the grassland populations. The similar (in consecutive years) height of generative shoots, the number of cauline leaves, inflorescences and flowers gradually decreased at subsequent study sites. The results may provide the basis for further studies on the impact of habitat conditions and the size of aboveground parts of F. vulgaris on the content of bioactive compounds in plant material.