Vegetation is an irreplaceable part of the ecosystem because it provides important services and functions. These services and functions, however, can be significantly reduced by soil acidification and contamination by various heavy metals. This study compares vegetation cover in the following different biotopes in the surrounds of the Slovak Krompachy township; meadows, agricultural fields and clearings. These biotopes have relatively high soil contamination; with soil samples containing significantly higher levels of As, Cd, Cu and Pb heavy metals compared to similar control biotopes. We found that the soil horizon in clearings had significantly lower pH; most likely due to long-term SO2 deposition and that concentrations of studied metals in contaminated biotopes were also significantly higher than accepted threshold limits for uncontaminated soils. Assessment of vegetation highlighted that metal accumulation in both leaves and roots was higher in contaminated biotopes than in controls. Our findings are especially important for human health because the high toxic metal levels in crops in the agricultural field biotopes pose health risks for the local population.