B. Papp szerk.: Studia Botanica Hungarica 35. 2004 (Budapest, 2004)

Szollát, György; Schmotzer, András: Contributions to the flora and vegetation of the environs of Balassagyarmat (Hungary)

somewhat poor in species, however, it still can be regarded as an almost natural stand with only moderately degraded sections in some places. In the tree layer Alnus glutinosa dominates with sporadical occurrence of Padus avium and Salix alba. The shrub layer (being quite dense at the upper reaches) is dominated by Sambucus nigra, mingled with Euonymus europaeus, Viburnum opulus, Rubus caesius, Ribes rubrum, and (especially at the higher reaches) with Cornus sanguinea and Ligustrum vulgare. A few specimens of the protected Ribes nigrum have also been observed. The herbaceous layer is dominated by Ficaria verna, accompanied by Carex remota, C. acutiformis, the protected Dryopteris carthusiana (30-50 specimens) and Urtica dioica. In addition, Cardamine amara, Caltha palustris ma Angelica sylvestris occur in the waterlogged parts of the site. Of the Fagetalia species, Paris quadrifolia exists in masses at the upper reaches of the stream valley; Athyrium filixfemina and Stachys sylvatica occur throughout the site, while Circaea lutetiana, Polygonatum multiflorum, Myosotis sparsiflora, etc. are found sporadically. The degradation of the site, the relative poorness of its flora and the high (although not dominant) presence of Sambucus nigra, Rubus caesius, Urtica dioica and Galium aparine can be attributed to the stress from the (perhaps overpopulated) stock of game and the proximity of large-scale agricultural activity. Site No. 7 Elevation: 165-180 m. The arm of the Nyirjes stream joining from the south runs in a rather narrow valley bordered by relatively steep hillsides, so much that the alder trees are literally standing in lines of 1 or 2 in the stream ash-alder wood (Aegopodio-Alnetum). The upper part of the valley is a bit wider (up to 15 m at some places) allowing the formation of a broader stand. The extremely narrow strip of the valuable vegetation of this site is similar to that of the arm of southeast direction (site No. 6): somewhat poor in species but appears almost natural. Both the shrub and herb layers are thinner than those in site No. 6, but the species composition is similar. In the shrub layer, the dominant Sambucus nigra is accompanied by Acer negundo at some places, while Padus avium and Euonymus europaeus are not rare. Of the protected Ribes nigrum 50-100 individuals can be found on a long section of the streamside, along with Ribes rubrum, Viburnum opulus and Frangula alnus. In the herb layer Carex remota, C. acutiformis, Cardamine amara, Caltha palustris, the protected Dryopteris carthusiana (30-50 individuals), Athyrium filix-femina, Angelica sylvestris are frequent. The protected Dryopteris dilatata (1-10 specimens) and Paris quadrifolia was found on one spot; Circaea lutetiana has scattered occurrence. Studia bot. hung. .15, 2004