Thermophilic plant communities in Natura 2000 site „Łąki nad Wojkówką” PLH 180051 – Podkarpacke Province

Xerothermic grasslands are among the most valuable and, at the same time, the most vulnerable elements of the natural environment of Poland. Their high natural value is reflected in the presence of numerous species of plants originating from warmer, steppe regions of Europe, which increase the biodiversity of local ecosystems. In our climate circumstances, such plant communities have extrazonal character and only occur in places with specific habitat conditions. The grasslands generally occupy small areas, usually in warm and dry habitats, mainly on slopes exposed to strong sunlight and slopes with southern exposures. The aim of the research was to provide a phytosociological characteristics of the thermophilous grasslands PLH 180051 – “Łąki nad Wojkówką”, their distribution and threats as well as the prospects for conservation of the communities. On the study area, a significant share belongs to the communities with species characteristic of the Festuco-Brometea class and Trifolio-Geranietea class. Lack of species characteristic for lower syntaxonomic units does not allow for them to be classified as an association.