Impact of land use on flora composition - two examples from the Warta Mouth National Park, Poland

Strong and long-lasting human activity in most European lowland river valleys results in narrowing the area of inudated ecosystems from wide floodplains to the space between embankments. This concerns especially regulation and drainage works, as well as hydrotechnical infrastructure construciton. The Warta Mouth National Park is a suitable region for inudated habitats research – over 5000 hectars of flood reservoir gathers here excess of water every year. It is one of the biggest flooded area in this part of Europe. The aim of this study was the analysis of flora changes over the dozen of years. The two inudated surfaces, different in respect of land use, were compared. Results indicate significant influence of land use on flora composition.