The main objective of the botanical research is determination of the vegetation types and trajectories in permanent grasslands covered by the selected agri-environment schemes or used by farmers in a certain way. It corresponds to the expected results of the Project, which are: (1) creation of the basis for monitoring of the effects of the agri-environment programmes, and (2) assessment of the effectiveness of certain farming practices in the species diversity conservation in permanent grasslands in the Lublin Province.

photo Adam Berbeć	photo Izabela Hajdamowicz	photo Adam Berbeć

Vegetation inventory is carried out on 10-ha square study plots, where the populations of bird species are calculated as well. The plots have various share of area covered by the agri-environment program management variants Protection of breeding habitats of birds and Extensively used permanent grasslands. As the result of the inventory, plant communities covered by the above mentioned management variants will be identified. Then, in the selected vegetation patches, monitoring plots will be set, where botanical monitoring will be integrated with the monitoring of invertebrates (spiders and Orthoptera).

Vegetation is monitored also in areas covered by the agri-environment program management variants which are designed specifically for the protection of valuable plant communities. On the part of plots, monitoring of invertebrates is also planned. The monitoring is carried out in the following habitat types:

• transition mires and alkaline fens assigned to the Scheuzerio-Caricetea nigrae syntaxon (habitat types 7140 and 7230 listed in the Annex II to the Habitat Directive),
• meadows assigned to the Molinion caeruleae phytosociological alliance (habitat 6410 in the Annex II to the HD),
• Xeric sand calcareous grasslands as well as semi-natural dry grasslands assigned to the Festuco-Brometea or Koelerion glaucae syntaxons (habitats 6120, 6210 in the Annex II to the HD ),
• Semi-natural wet meadows which represent the Calthion palustris alliance,
• Lowland hay meadows assigned to the Arrhenatherion elatioris alliance (habitat 6510 in the Annex II to the HD).

Moreover, vegetation monitoring is carried out in Bagno Serebryskie nature reserve, on ex-arable fields undergoing the restoration of semi-natural grassland.

It is planned to undertake research how timing and frequency of mowing affects vegetation of valuable natural habitats. Monitoring of diversity of orthoptera and spiders would be carried out simultaneously, on the same areas.

Biodiversity of plant species on grassland/ photo Marek Czerwiński

Vegetation inventory and monitoring are carried out by the Department of Nature and Rural Landscape Protection of the Institute of Technology and Life Sciences.