The map of vegetation complexes of the Seili island and its surroundings (SW Finland)

The paper gives the results of studies on vegetation complexes of 12 islands and several skerries, situated within the inner part of SW Finnish archipelago. There were differentiated 14 types of complexes, comprising all types of communities (of vascular plants, mosses and lichens). All complexes are characterised by a repetitive combination of communities. Their distribution, showing distinct regularities in relation to geology, geomorphology and situation on an island, is depicted in the map.

Vegetation of the north of Russian Far East

Distribution, configuration of vegetation zones and distribution of altitudinal belts on the North of the Russian Far East are characterized by their peculiarities caused by marginal position of the region on Eurasian continent, surrounding seas influence, altitude of the place. Areas types of vegetation complexes are established on the base of cartometric analysis of data-base of digital geobotanic large-scale map. The main regularities of differentiation of vegetation cover are revealed that are confirmed earlier known data. Types of arctic vegetation complexes are distributed through the whole territory of the region. Correlation between boreal and arctic vegetation complexes are characterized by zonal peculiarities. North-east boundary of boreal vegetation types is the important botanic-geographic frontier. To the south of this frontier wide zone of ecotone is noticed. In this zone forest vegetation types and tundra vegetation existed side by side on the placors habitats. The most distributed types are mountain vegetation type complexes with dominance of stone deserts, tundra siberian dwarf-pine. Vertical differentiation of mountain vegetation territories (taking in account zonalty) is reflected in subsequent change altitudinal belts where vegetation types complexes with dominance lichens mountain stone deserts, mountain tundra, siberian dwarf-pine (Pinus pumila), mountain open forests and larch (Larix cajanderi) and birch (Betula ermanii) forests are represented. Degree of revealing of vertical belts depends not only zonal conditions but also the altitude of the place above sea level, landscape peculiarities. Therefore separate belts, for example, mountain tundra, siberian dwarf-pine can be represented fragmentally. The stripe of ecotone usually can be noticed between alpine and subalpine belts. Vertical vegetation belts are evidently connected with horizontal zones of vegetation cover. In tundra zone 2 altitudinal belts can be noticed – alpine that is represented by lichens stone deserts, and subalpine that is formed mostly by mountain tundra. Mountain siberian dwarf-pine play big role in forest zone in formation of subalpine belt altogether with mountain tundra. Lower on the slopes prostrate shrubs are changed by forest belt (subzone of Larch open forests and forests, subzone of birch open forests and forests) or exist side by side with zonal prostrate shrubs and subarctic tundra (subzone of prostrate shrubs). Zonal vegetation complexes types (inhabit on placors and close to them habitats – plain low watershed areas, not steep mountain slopes, valleys between mountains, terraces near sea shore) are represented by arctic and subarctic tundra, siberian dwarf-pine (Pinus pumila), open forests and Larch (Larix cajanderi) and Birch (Betula ermanii) forests. Mires are dominated among zonal-interzonal vegetation type complexes. Valley forests, shrubs, tundra are distributed quite widely. Transitional structures, for example tundra-bogs are referred to this group of vegetation complexes. Vegetation that is transformed by strong stress factors (mostly natural and anthropogenic) is represented communities of plants formed under influence birds colonies, reindeer grazing, fire places, after technogenic disturbance as well as agricultural phytocoenosis.

Manual Cutting of Sitka Alder-Dominated Plant Communities: Effects on Conifer Growth and Plant Community Structure

Five-year growth and survival responses of lodgepole pine and hybrid spruce to manual cutting of Sitka alder were studied in two montane vegetation complexes in interior British Columbia. The effects of brushing on plant community diversity and structure also were examined. Alder cover and height were reduced throughout the 5-year posttreatment measurement period, but this had no effect on growth or survival of either 5- to 7-year-old lodgepole pine growing in the Dry Alder complex or 4- to 7-year-old hybrid spruce in the Wet Alder complex. Moderate alder cover, which was characteristic at these sites, did not appear to inhibit diameter growth of lodgepole pine or spruce. This was supported by competition thresholds for conifer diameter of 30 and 37% alder cover in the Dry Alder and Wet Alder complexes, respectively. In neither complex did manual cutting result in any changes in species richness, species diversity, or structural diversity of the vascular plant community. The results of this study suggest that brushing of Sitka alder is unnecessary for release of healthy lodgepole pine growing on mesic sites in the Dry Alder complex and is ineffective at alleviating growth limiting factors to spruce on Wet Alder sites. West. J. Appl. For. 19(4):277–287.

Mire vegetation in the basin of the Muroyagun River (Surgut Polesje, West Siberia)

The author’s field research, performed in July 2000, was aimed at the descriptive survey of the diversity of mire vegetation in the poorly known West Siberian area, the so called Surgut Polesje. The palsa ridge-and-lake and palsa ridge-and-pool bog complexes dominate the area landscape. Such bogs make for the core of vast and heterogeneous mire systems, the other elements of the latter being transitional bogs and treeless or wooded fens. The mire systems are separated from each other only by rivers; the fens are located on river valley slopes. The following mire vegetation complexes (mire sites) were described: 1) oligotrophic palsa ridge-and-lake or palsa ridge-and-pool; 2) palsa ridge-and-hollow; 3) meso­trophic or heterotrophic aapa-mire; 4) mesotrophic-eutrophic sedge or sedge-peatmoss poor fen; 5) wooded sedge fen with low Betulatortuosa; 6) wooded sedge fen with one or two layers of Pinussibirica and Betulapubescens. The investigated mire vegetation displays a high degree of syntaxonomical diversity, belonging to the 4 classes, Oxycocco-Sphagnetea, Scheuchzerio-Cariceteanigrae, Phragmito-Magnocaricetea,and Alneteaglutinosae, with 4 orders, 6 alliances, and 8 associations, listed in the tables. There are no rare communities in the area, to the possible exception of some types of wooded sedge fens. The mire system margins along rivers and flowing lakes seem to be potentially most interesting for a vege­tation scientist.

Application of large- and medium-scale aerial photographs to forest vegetation management: A case study

Five experimental conifer release treatments applied to each of four, three- to seven- year-old spruce plantations resulted in a mosaic of woody and herbaceous vegetation complexes after two growing seasons. A combination of 1:5000-scale overview and 1:500-scale sample photographs were evaluated as a means of mapping and quantifying cover in each of eight vegetation and two non-vegetation categories. On 23-cm format, 1:5000-scale photographs, blocks were stereoscopically stratified into areas (> 25 m2) of uniform vegetation. A random selection of eighty 70-mm format, 1:500 photo samples were then used as "training sites" to calibrate strata assessment on the 1:5000 photographs. Remaining sample plots were used to verify the accuracy of the final map product. Verification plots suggested that principle vegetation components such as tall, mid, and low shrub, grass, and herbaceous species were estimated to within 5–10% cover, at least 70% of the time. Errors for lesser components, such as dead shrub, conifer, bare ground and slash were 2–5% cover. Ferns could not be discerned at the 1:5000 scale and there was evidence of occasional confusion between herbaceous species and other life forms, including mid shrub, low shrub, and grass categories. Operational applications of the methodology are discussed. Key words: remote sensing, digitized aerial photographs, vegetation management, forest classification