The recapitulation of the investigations on oribatid mite fauna carried out at various kinds of abandoned galena-calamine wastelands in the south of Poland is presented. Soil samples were collected at nine sites in three regions of zinc-lead mining. In total, 24267 oribatid individuals belonging to 160 species were analyzed. The sites differing in the period of ceasing exploitation, species composition of plants and their stage of succession were chosen. The abundance and species richness of oribatid mites were generally higher on afforested sites and sites of older origin. The abundance of oribatids noted on wastelands was generally lower than in most natural or semi-natural biotopes. Surprisingly, the species richness on afforested wastelands was higher than in many natural forest biotopes. With regard to species similarity, the oribatid communities have been grouped due to localities instead of been organized due to the type of wastelands or vegetation. Correspondence analysis (CA) indicated that certain species of Oribatida preferentially occurred in a certain type of wastelands. Species characteristic of afforested new and old or unforested wastelands were distinguished. The biodiversity of oribatid fauna on galena-calamine wastelands was high with many new species for the Polish fauna ( 15). Some of them were recorded only from a few localities in the world.

Floristical studies on dumps of metallurgical complex (T. Sendzimir steelwork in Cracow) were carried out in the years I 982-1998. Several rare alien plant species: Bracliyactis ciliata Ledeb. - not recorded earlier in Poland, Gypsophila perfoliata L. - recorded in 2 localities only, Corispermum leptopterum (Asch.) lljin, Hordeum jubatum L., Kochia scoparia (L.) Schrader, and Salso/a kali L. subsp. ruthenica (lljin) Soó were found. They have been growing numerously and permanently on dumps for several years. Original and secondary geographical distribution, habitats in Poland and on dumps of metallurgical complex have been presented.

The paper presents the results of the research whose aim was to establish the sensitivity degree of Betu/a pendula pollen, seeds and seedlings in the adverse conditions of the zinc-lead waste from "Silesia" Steelworks in Katowice. The pollen and the seeds of the birch (from the dump and unpolluted region - Mirów) were tested by taking into condition: pollen capacity and seeds germination capacity. For the pot cultures metallurgical wastes and the soil from Mirów were placed in plastic boxes. For each kind of seeds a different soil variant was applied: Dump soil, Soil from Mirów, Garden soil (control group), 8 seeds were put into each box (total number of seeds for each variant was 96). The seeds of Betu/a pendula growing on smelter waste dumps had been collected in the vicinity of the dumps. The results of the experiment showed that the soil pollution has a significant impact on generative phase of Betu/a pendula.

This paper presents the results of the floristic investigation conducted - during two vegetation seasons 2000 and 2001 - on selected spoil heaps, the remnants of zinc and lead smelting works that existed in Ruda Śląska until the 1930's. A list of all recorded species was made. Every species was characterized with respect to its abundance in specified sites of the spoil heaps, the relative participation in the range of the geographicalhistorical groups as well as in ecological groups. The following characteristics were taken into account: life forms according to Raunkiaer classification, Grime CSR strategies and selected ecological indicator values (light, temperature, moisture, reaction and nitrogen content). A total of 166 species of vascular plants occur the surveyed spoil heaps. These belong to 45 different families. The most numerous is the Asreraceae family. The native species make approximately 85% of the flora. The spoil heaps are dominated by ruderal and meadow species, while the forest species are less abundant. Hemicryptophytes are the dominant group. Therophytes and phanerophytes are less abundant. These results may suggest that the sites be quite stabilized. The analysis of the ecological indicator values of the flora shows that the spoil heaps differ in terms of the species content (only 38% flora in common) and their floras demonstrate very close ecological requirements. The spoil heaps are the best habitat for the species which prefer full light and significant warmth though most of them do not stand too dry substrate conditions. The species show a wide range of requirements in respect to the nitrogen content and pH of the substrate. Grasses are the main component of the plant cover; these seem to be pioneer and very expansive species. The most abundant are Festuca ovina, Agrostis capillaris, Agrosris gigantea, Calamagrostis epigeios and Arrhenatherum elarius.

Viola guestphalica Nauenb. and Viola calaminaria (Ging.) Lej. occur in extreme habitats (on sites of very high concentrations of heavy metals in the soil) in Germany, Belgium and Holland. The calamine violets were introduced on the zinc spoil heap in Katowice - Wełnowiec in 1996, 1998 and 2001. The calamine violets were fielded in the form of small clusters (the number of the overhead tillers from ranged 6 to 13). Since then the observations and detailed biometrical measurements were conducted. The investigated taxa were proven to be good accumulators, which accumulate high doses of metals without any symptoms of their toxic effect. The calamine violets are an interesting object of ecological and physiological research. Viola calaminaria and Viola guestphalica do not belong to expansive species and they are not a threat for the native flora, but they are open to extinction due too much interest of allotment's holders, other people and demolition of the investigated zinc spoil heap.

Long-term studies were performed on the development of plant communities in dumping grounds after hard coal mining. The communities were initiated by sowing grass seeds either directly in the ground with mineral fertilizing, or on separate surfaces covered with a layer of soil. The development of plant communities was assessed in various time intervals within the 30-year period. The studies concerning flora applied the Braun-Blanguet method, as well as botanical-gravimetric method. The size of biomass of surface herbaceous plants has been determined in a gravimetric manner. Plant communities with the participation of Festuca ovina initially make up monocultures, while their further development after 30 years led to the tree development of turf-like community with Betu/a verucosa and Pinus sylvestris. Such a community shows signs of substantial durability and high usability. Short-lasting grass types initiate the development of communities with Calamagrostis epigejos. On the ground covered with a layer of mineral soil the initial development of plant communities depended upon: bank of seeds in the ground, air and water conditions formed and trophic properties of the soil. Depletion of nutrients resulted in lowered production of biomass, while its collection enriched flora composition of the community, enabling the growth and development of short heliophilous plan. Depletion of plants nutrients, as well as accumulation of unmoved green biomass enabled the expansive species of Calamagrostis epigejos to settle in plant communities. The recognized natural processes in difficult habitats, initiated by grass sowing, provide the basis for correct biological reclamation of lands of Carboniferous rock waste.

The paper presents phytosociological and hydrological results of field investigations carried out in old excavation in Mikołów - Gniotek town (the Silesian Upland) in June 2002. Owing to renunciation of building works, primary succession led to form riparian black alder forest Fraxino-Alnetum W. Mat. 1952 of anthropogenic origin. Vegetation of the area is mostly determined by water conditions indepentently of occurrence of sandy and silty clays in the soil.