Floristic diversity in selected city parks in southern Poland

Ecosystems of city parks are one of the most important refuges of biodiversity in urbanized areas. Recently, naturalists have had an increased interest in floristic diversity in regions that have been drastically modified by human activity, particularly in urban spaces. Investigations were conducted at various levels of the biological organization, to protect the environment and to promote floristic diversity. The aim of this study is to present floristic diversity in urban parks in southern Poland. The research was conducted in 10 parks located in 3 cities (Dąbrowa Górnicza, Sosnowiec and Będzin). These parks have been formed at different times, on various parent rocks. They are both natural and anthropogenic in origin and have different sizes (the smallest being 6 ha and the largest 67 ha). Their common features are way of use and management. The results of this investigation have confirmed 426 vascular plants belonging to 83 families and 247 genera. The highest number of species belongs to Asteraceae and Poaceae. Grabek Park is the most species rich (288) in comparison to the other parks investigated. Research on urban parks shows important links between floral diversity and biodiversity within highly urbanized areas in city centres and in urban spaces in general. This variety includes both native species and alien species, which are often called ‘park species’ with a decorative origin.