Scientific publications

Aspects of the formation of plant communities in an anthropogenically fragmented landscape are discussed. The studies were carried out in southern Karelia near the border with Finland. Different authors place the territory into either southern or middle taiga subzone. Species checklists are provided for four habitatscope floras – one including six forest parcels (64 species in all), meadow (102), roadside (105) and felled site (110) floras. Specialization of the floras and their geographical structure are discussed. Studies confirm they are transitional from southern to middle taiga. Although they contain quite a number of species related to southern regions, they usually colonize disturbed habitats or artificially established forest communities with larch rather than zonal bilberry spruce and wood sorrel spruce forests. Generally speaking, landscape fragmentation caused by human disturbance results in a rise in the richness of the flora and makes local flora more synanthropic. On the other hand, established forest and meadow communities can prevent the arrival and settlement of “alien” elements, highlighting the importance of the phytosocial factor in the dynamics and stability of communities.