Typical land use pattern in basin - part of the Ziarska kotlina Basin; 1 : 25 000

The Ziarska kotlina Basin is one of intensively used areas. Industrial production has distinctly changed the way of land use in this territory. The 'Zavod SNP a. s.' in Ziar nad Hronom producing aluminium is the dominant socio-economic element here. In 1995 the plant was modernised. The stress factors include the largest industrial waste dumping sites in Slovakia (sludge beds and cinder fields). The forest in the Ziarska kotlina Basin contains two main wood species, the durmast oak and beech. The territory stretches over four vegetation zones: the oak, oak-beech, beech-oak, and beech. Nine units in this basin represent the grassy and herbaceous vegetation. The natural and semi-natural meadows are of high ecological value for the local landscape. Cultivated floodplain meadows spread on the alluvium of the Hron river but they also frequently occur next to the brooks flowing in the area. Floristic composition of these meadows is comparatively dull. (authors)