Conservation of water and swamp vegetation in the Biała river valley (Silesian Foothills, Oswiecim Basin)

Summary. In the years 2007–2008 a phytosociological survey of water and swamp vegetation was carried out in the valley of river Biala, as a result of which 32 groups and 6 communities of vegetation were reported. The presence of protected and rare in the scale of the region plant species and nature habitats with European importance bear witness to the huge botanical value of this area. At present, in the area under exploration there exists only one form of protected area, which is a protected landscape area. For the conservation of the water and swamp vegetation and of the beauty of Biala river valley landscape it is proposed to create additional 2 protected nature-landscape areas and 3 ecological areas.