The Impact of Neighbouring Ecosystems on Species Composition in the Ecotone of Small Forest Plots: Case Study in Choszczno Forest Inspectorate in NW Poland

Abstract

The aim of the study was to verify a hypothesis that the proximity of different ecosystems have an impact on the richness of flora in three forest patches in the Choszczno Forest Inspectorate (West Pomeranian Province in NW Poland). Between 2013–2015, the survey involved three areas with different adjacent ecosystems: forest, built−up area, and grassland. At each object we analyzed four test plots consisting of inner, middle and outer zones. The composition of tree, shrub, herbaceous, moss and lichen species was determined in each object, plot and zone. It was shown that adjacent ecosystems influenced the richness of flora in the analyzed forest areas. Differences in the numbers of species and in their habitat affiliation were also found between ecotone zones. The outer ecotone zone had the richest flora composition, particularly in terms of grassland species – present in 12 zones of all three objects.