Flora starorzeczy w dolinie Warty – stan, zagrożenia oraz możliwości ochrony

This study investigates the flora of 20 oxbow lakes in the Warta valley near Uniejów, ten of which are situated between the river-bed and the flood embankment, and ten are behind the flood bank. 152 plant species have been identified in the studied area: 112 within the embankment, and 148 outside of it. The plants include Nymphaea alba, Lemna gibba and Wolffia arrhiza, as well as Dianthus superbus and Thalictrum lucidum on the banks. The flora of oxbow lakes behind the flood bank includes a greater proportion of anthropofites and more synanthropic vegetation than inside the embankment. To prevent further synanthropisation of the flora, a buffer zone should be created around the oxbow lakes consisting of semi-natural meadow vegetation and single trees. All natural water reservoirs should come under legal protection as ecological lands.