The aim of the study was the documentation of benthofauna from the Pichna Szadkowicka River flowing through the Wojsławice forest complex in the municipality of Szadek. The study was conducted in July 2013 at eight study sites. Among the collected material, many groups of invertebrates were distinguished, Gammaridae were dominant in the benthic community, Chironomidae, (Diptera) and representatives of the Mollusca (Sphaeridae) were subdominants. Invertebrates were most abundant among macrophytes (Glyceria fluitans) on the sandy bottom with a small fraction of fine particles of organic matter; there was no presence of animals in the stream headwaters area.
The paper presents the river valley physiography and the selected hydraulic, physics and chemical parameters of the upper section of small lowland river – Pichna Szadkowicka (the Warta river catchment, Central Poland). The strong relationship between the river and river valley habitat’s characteristics and the plant species and vegetation diversity was noted. Around one hundred (93) of vascular plant species was noted in total, including Listera ovata (strictly protected) and partially protected: Hedera helix, Viburnum opulus, Frangula alnus and Hepatica nobilis. The high natural (botanical) and landscape values of the researched section of the Pichna Szadkowicka river with adjacent parts of Wojsławice forest complex justify additionally their protection in the network of forests reference plots and of the High Conservation Value Forests (HCFV).
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