Transformations of Vascular Flora of a Medieval Settlement Site: A Case Study of a Fortified Settlement in Giecz (Wielkopolska Region, Western Poland)

Exceptional components of the cultural landscape Central Europe include archaeological sites, e.g., castle ruins, prehistoric or medieval fortified settlements, other settlements and burial mounds. The plants associated with them help us explain processes species persistence on habitat islands as well process naturalization crop species, which escape from fields are abandoned. This study describes flora a settlement in Giecz (Wielkopolska region, western Poland), presents plant indicators former (relics cultivation), high conservation value, transformations vascular this over few decades. Field research was conducted 1993–1994, 1998–1999, 2019. At site, 298 were recorded, nearly 70% (201 species) have persisted there last 20 years. includes seven relics cultivation (Artemisia absinthium, Leonurus cardiaca, Lycium barbarum, Malva alcea, Pastinaca sativa, Saponaria officinalis, Viola odorata), 5 threatened extinction Poland and/or Wielkopolska, 53 least concern (LC) according to European red list. We attempted floristic changes. site is very distinct surrounding because its specific flora, composed various habitats (e.g., dry grasslands, wooded patches, meadows, aquatic ruderal habitats), including threatened, protected, relic species.