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This paper presents the results of a study on psammophilous grasslands, conducted during the years 1994-1997 and in 2008 in the Masurian Lake District (NE Poland). The study aimed at the determination of floristic composition, phytosociological diversity and habitat characteristics. Field work resulted in 511 phytosociological releves. Soil samples were taken to determine pH, hydrolytic acidity, sum of basic cations, cation exchange capacity, content of CaC03 and total carbon. In 2008, the presence of communities dominated by grey-hair grass (Corynephorus canescens) in the previously established sites was checked. TWINSPAN was used for hierarchic classification of the association Comiculario aculeatae-Corynephoretum canescentis (syn. Spergulo morisonii-Corynephoretum canescentis). Accordingly, the association is divided into four subtypes (typical subtype, subtype with Cladonia mitis, subtype with Thymus serpyllum and subtype with Festuca ovina) with nine variants. Field observations showed that the communities analyzed have been under strong anthropogenic pressure, causing their degeneration and decrease in area. The most common human uses of psammophilous grassland communities are housing development, road construction, afforestation, sand extraction, wood storage and unauthorized dumping. In contrast to the above types of land use, seasonal use of grasslands for recreation purposes (as sunbathing spots or as sports fields) does not lead to their degeneration and may have a beneficial influence on their maintenance as a component of the local landscape.
This paper presents a study on a population of Pulsatilla patens conducted in 2009 in the Natura 2000 wildlife refuge called "Grasslands in the Military Training Grounds in Orzysz" in the Masurian Lake District (NE Poland). The purpose of the study was to determine the population structure of Pulsatilla patens, especially with regard to abundance, density, and percentage of life cycle stages in the total population. Correlations were examined between these population features and selected environmental characteristics including cover of phanerogams, cryptogams, litter, and bare soil. For the evaluation of the linear relationship between the variables, Spearman's correlation coefficient was used. In order to identify the factors that have significant influence on the values of the dependent variables, a multiple regression analysis was performed. In total, 316 individuals of Pulsatilla patens were recorded: 62 flower ing adults, 202 vegetative adults and 52 juveniles. The number of flowers per individual varied from one to 12, the average being three flowers. Most individuals occurred in dry heath, and the smallest number of individuals was found in pine forest. The mean density per habitat ranged from one to 11 individuals per 4 m2. Increased cover of phanerogams and cryptogams caused a decrease in the density of Pulsatilla patens individuals.