Biological diversity in the area of quarries after sand exploitation in the eastern part

Summary. The objective of this paper was an attempt at defining the plant diversity and present-ing the participation of protected, rare and endangered species in associations or communities which are formed in the explored quarries (Pogoria I, Siemonia, Kuźnica Warężyńska and Maczki Bór). In the parts of quarries which were not reclaimed, unique biocenotic systems are created dur-ing succession. These systems are biotopes of numerous rare and protected plant species, including those described in Polish Plant Red Data Book: Pinguicula vulgaris, Liparis loeselii and Malaxis monophyllos. The most abundant in populations of rare species are communities from Caricion davallianae and Caricion nigrae compound. The conducted research has shown that quarries may be a suitable place for survival and development of a wide range of rare and critically endangered Polish plant species. Key words: sand quarry, rare and protected species, biodiversity, Silesian Uplan