Zespol Lolio-Cynosuretum cristati R. Tx. 1947 w dolinie rzeki Flinty

Geobotanical and floristic investigations of the Lolio-Cynosuretum cristati association in the valley of the Flinta River were carried out in years 1998-2001 on the area of 151 ha of meadows and pastures situated in Ryczywół and Budzyń communes in Wielkopolska voivodeship. Using the method of Braun-Blanquet, 45 phytosociological surveys were performed in patches of the Lolio-Cynosuretum association. They were classified to the phytosociological system. In addition, site and soil studies comprising the determination of the reaction and nutrient availability in 0-20 cm layer of topsoil as well as of the level of ground water table were carried out. Lolio-Cynosuretum association was found dominant in the valley of the Flinta River occupying approximately 74.62% of the total area. The association showed both phytosociological and floristic diversification. Within it, it developed several variants connected with site conditions and type of utilization, e.g. variants with Dactylis glomerata, Festuca pratensis and Poa pratensis. In all of them, Lolium perenne of the degree of constaney V and coverage index D = 1863.1 was dominant with Elymus repens - V and D = 1342.2, Taraxacum officinale - V and D = 1216.8, Trifolium repens - V and D = 174.4, Achillea millefolium V and D = 359.3, Poa pratensis - IV and D = 529.2 and Bromus hordeaceus - IV and D = 480.3. Sward floristic analysis showed that the examined association was made up of 71 species of meadow plants from 21 botanical families. The most numerous family represented in the association was grasses (Poaceae) - 28% followed by legumes (Fabaceae) - 8% and the remaining families - 64.%. Average sward height ranged from 9-60 cm and its maximum height was 95 cm. The sward was relatively compact and the soil coverage in patches ranged from 80 to 100%. Soil pH ranged from 5.9-6.7. Floristic diversity of the Lolio-Cynosuretum association exerted some impact on economic and fodder value of grasslands