On the other hand, birds transport diaspores and then deposit them in their habitats, thus affecting the development of the specific representation of phytocoenoses (Marone et al. The impact on plants depends on the concentration of chemical elements introduced into the soil along with excrements (Ishida 19). This results in diminished plant diversity, changes in the taxonomic representation or even a complete disappearance of some plants (Ishida 19 Beyer et al. On the one hand, a high accumulation of nutrients in the soil resulting from excrement deposition by birds can disturb the soil/plant balance and lead to changes in the functioning of land ecosystems. The faeces deposits of birds forming large colonies contribute to modifying soil parameters by increasing the content of, for example, nitrogen, phosphorus and organic matter in the soil (Mun 1997 Ligęza and Smal 2003 Bancroft et al. What has far more seldom been the subject of analyses is the influence of land birds on soil transformations and the vegetation structure (Mun 1997 Hobara et al. 2008 Mitoza 2009 Sigurdsson and Magnusson 2009 Khoreva and Mochalova 2009). 1992 Odasz 1994 Otero Pérez 1998 Beyer et al. Especially, the effect of seabird colonies on their breeding biotopes has been comprehensively analysed (Godzik 1991 Fourgurean et al. Nesting birds change the chemical parameters of the soil and the specific representation of plants in their habitats. A synergy between habitat type and collection site was identified in the case of ornithochorous species. Rooks contributed to a rise in the mean number of ruderal species and a fall in the mean number of meadow species. Rook nesting caused a fall in the overall number of plant species in the poor habitats, and a corresponding rise in the fertile habitats. A varied influence of Rook colonies on plant species diversity was observed, depending on habitat type. The presence of Rook colonies contributed to increased humidity and acidity of the soil and a higher biogenic element content. Two-way ANOVA showed that the habitats significantly differed in most of soil parameters. In order to assess the effect of this species on poor and fertile habitats, we analysed biogenic element concentrations and soil acidity, and investigated the taxonomic representation of plants under the nests and at control sites without nests. Colony species that modify soil characteristics at their nesting sites include the Rook Corvus frugilegus. The functioning of nesting colonies of birds can significantly affect the flora and the soil.

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