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.

Nature reserves are one of the most important measures in saving biodiversity, however, during the climate change, a real danger arises, that these territories would not be able to fulfill the objectives. In order to mitigate negative effects of climate change in protected areas it is necessary to create and apply management programs, based on future ecosystems needs. The main aim of presented study was to evaluate sensitivity of rare and vulnerable species to climate change in order to suggest measures for better management of nature reserves in the future.

According to scientific literature, 12 biological and ecological plant characteristics determining sensitivity of species (limiting factors) have been detected. 73 plant species that are protected in Lithuanian reserves were evaluated qualitatively according to limiting factors of climate change. As the result, it was offered to apply additional protection measures to 47 species in the light of climate change. Groups of plant species that should be affected highly negatively or highly positively were identified. 16% of plant species protected in nature reserves were evaluated as very sensitive to climate change and the condition of these plants may worsen. On the other hand, 14 plant species were given as least sensitive to negative effects and future climate is more favorable to species growth and spread than the existing. The highest danger is predicted for Silene chlorantha (Willd.) Ehrh., and the best condition is predicted for Mentha longifolia (L.) Huds. Dactylorhiza incarnata (L.) Soó.

The study also gives recommendations for the protection of rare plants in the future. Different management measures are taken into account: mitigation of the direct effect of climate change (I), improvement of an existing level of rareness (II), respecting the relation to physical and biological environment (III), consideration of spread and geographical limits (IV). Three management intensity levels were suggested according to species sensitivity.