In 1995- 1997 and 1998-1999 floristical investigations were carried out within the projected ,,Dolina Sztoły" Landscape Protected Area, located in the Olkusz district (north-eastern part of the Silesian Upland). The occurrence of 413 taxa of vascular plants was reported. Out of 23 legally protected species, 16 are strictly and 7 are partly protected. Among vascular plants there are 28 regionally rare and endangered taxa, Medicinal materials used in Polish oflicinal medicine can be derived from 46 species. Eleven species (2,6% of vascular flora) represent mountain element. The richest group are hemicryptophytes (49,4%), while woody chamaephytes are represented by 3,4% of species.

In the years 1988 and 1998-1999 botanical investigations were carried out within the projected "Diabla Góra" nature reserve, located near Bukowno town in the north-eastern part of the Silesian Upland. The occurrence of 57 taxa of bryophytes (5 liverworts and 52 mosses) as well as 248 taxa of vascular plants were reported. Among bryophytes there are 11 taxa regionally rare and endangered, for example Barbilophozia barbata and Pterigynandrum filiforme. Ten species (17.5% of brioflora) represent mountain element. Among vascular plants there are 20 protected species (8.1% of vascular flora) and 22 regionally rare and endangered taxa, for example Allium montanum, Botrychium lunaria, Orobanche caryophyllacea, Scorzonera humilis and Thalie/rum minus. Six taxa (2.4% of vascular flora) are mountain species. Eight associations (4 forest and 4 non-forest) were distinguished. The most interesting are thermophilous beech forest Carici-Fagetum and xerothermic grasslands from class Festuco-Brometea.