Owing to the 0.6 ha area it covers, three nearby sulphur-salt springs and the surrounding marshy and grassland ecosystems, the „Owczary” natural reserve constitutes a relatively large halophyte habitat in the Kielce region. Investigations conducted in 2005 did not confirm, however, the presence of the plant communities which were recordedin the reserve in 1999. Almost the whole space of the reserve has been conquered by common reed whose expansion caused some halophytes to disappear and reduced the presence of others. The occurrence of only few specimens of halophytes and halobionts indicates that the present habitat conditions of the reserve are not favourable for them. The undesirable changes have mostly been due to the expansion of common reed, that caused shading (not tolerated by halophytes), and to to the desalination of the habitats by rainwater. As the reed expansion poses the gravest danger to the existence of halophytes, it should be limited. Undertaking activities aimed at increasing the habitat moisture by using salty waters flowing from the spring would also be recommended.

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