The effect of farming method on the dynamics of communities from the alliance Radiolion linoidis (Rias Goday 1961) Pietach 1965 in Kałuszyn Upland agrocenoses

Abstract

The work presents the results of studies carried out from 1994 to 2010 on changes in phytocenoses with Radiolion linoidis species due to increased intensification of the farming process. The research material consisted of 136 phytosociological relevés taken from the same sites located in cereals, tuber crops/maize and stubble fields. The relevés were grouped based on three periods reflecting changes in farming system: period I (1994–1997) – traditional farming system; period II (2002–2004) – shift from traditional to intensive farming; period III (2008–2010) – intensive farming system. Communities with Radiolion linoidis continued to disappear over the whole study period due to farming intensification. The phytocenoses Spergulario-Illecebretum verticillati found in stubble fields and communities with Illecebrum verticillatum observed in cereals and tuber crops in period I were replaced with patches of Echinochloo-Setarietum in maize and stubble fields as well as the association Vicietum tetraspermae in cereals in period III. The values of Sørensen’s index of community similarity and of the dynamics index emphasize how advanced the process of changes in and impoverishment of communities was.

Keywords

• field weeds
• threatened species
• field under cultivation
• dynamics index (V)
• Sørensen’s index of similarity