Structure of the Flora of Railway Areas under Various Kinds of Anthropopression

• Main Authors: Galera Halina, Sudnik-Wójcikowska Barbara, Wierzbicka Małgorzata, Jarzyna Ingeborga, Wiłkomirski Bogusław
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Sciendo 2014-07-01
• Series: Polish Botanical Journal
• Subjects: man-made habitats; railway flora; alien plants; therophytes; Poland
• Online Access: http://www.degruyter.com/view/j/pbj.2014.59.issue-1/pbj-2014-0001/pbj-2014-0001.xml?format=INT

Floristic studies were carried out in NE Poland in 2007-2008 in three types of railway areas: operating tracks, tracks abandoned less than 10 years ago, and tracks abandoned more than 10 years ago. In the 41 sections of railway tracks surveyed, 338 species were recorded, including 22 species that occurred at > 50% frequency, 27 species strongly associated with operating railway areas, and 4 species typical of railway areas in Poland. Comparative analysis of the flora of the 3 types of railway areas investigated showed significant differences in the richness and structure of their floras.