Current condition of vegetation around the smelters Krompachy and Rudňany. Status after persisting reduction od emission concentrations | Aktuálny stav vegetácie v okolí Kovohút Krompachy a Rudňany. Stav po pretrvávajúcom znížení emisií

The results of a long-term monitoring of herbaceous vegetation in the vicinity of the copper smelter Krompachy and mercury smelter Rudňany are summarised. Although the amounts of SO2 and other pollutants dropped during last decades under limit values, the heavy metals accumulated many years ago are still present in high concentration in the soil. This is an important factor limiting the vegetation cover and species diversity. Significant positive changes in cover and diversity of vascular plants was currently observed at present around copper smelter in Krompachy. The set-off of the secondary succession was observed. The total cover of vegetation slowly increased over the bare lands, although low species diversity of vascular plants was still recorded. Species composition of grasslands was changed, featuring heavy metal tolarant species (Agrostis capillaris, Arabidopsis halleri, Avenella flexuosa, Luzula luzuloides, Viola tricolor agg.) A few pioneer trees such as Betula pendula, Populus tremula and Salix caprea are spreading in the surroundings. Different situation was observed in the vicinity of mercury smelter in Rudňany. Several non-native trees (e.g. Picea pungens etc.) were planted close to the former smelter. These trees are suffering because of high pollution of the soil, their growth is reduced, needles are chlorotic and defoliation process was observed. In contrast, the native tree Betula pendula is surviving much better and even spreading. Calamagrostis epigejos is still prevailing species in herbaceous layer. In both sites Krompachy and Rudňany the occurence of epigeic, tolerant pioneer lichen species (Cladonia rei, C. fimbriata, Diploschistes muscorum, Placynthiella icmalea) and mosses (Ceratodon purpureus, Pohlia drumondii) on the former bare land showed the beginning of secondary succession. The occurrence of epiphytic lichens Hypogymnia physodes in both sites around smelters and even Hypogymnia tubulosa, Melanelia subaurifera, M. fuliginosa, Platismatia glauca, Pseudovernia furfuracea, Parmeliopsis ambiqua and Evernia prunastri with some another microlichens in Krompachy is the sign of positive changes of the environment after the lichen desert period in the past.