Meadow, mire and shrub vegetation in the axial part of the Polar Urals (Russia)

Abstract

The syntaxonomic diversity of meadows and mires in the 3 sites studied within the axial part of the Polar Urals includes 5 associations and 3 subassociations, which belong to 3 classes of phytosociological classification. 4 associations and 3 subassociations are described for the first time. One association (Carici lachenalii–Harrimanelletum hypnoidis ass. nov.) and 2 subassociations (C.l.–H.h. typicum subass. nov. and C.l.–H.h. phyllodocetosum coer uleae subass. nov.) we assigned to the class Salicetea herbaceae Br.-Bl. 1948. Class Mulgedio–Aconitetea Hadač et Klika in Klika et Hadač 1944 is represented by 3 associations: Hylocomiastro pyrenaici–Luzuletum frigidae ass. nov., Aconito septentrionalis–Salicetum lanatae Sekretareva 2011, including a new subassociation (A.s.–S.l. alchemilletosum obtusae subass. nov.) and Trientalo europaeae–Alnetum fruticosae ass. nov. Class Scheuchzerio palustris–Caricetea fuscae Tx. 1937 is represented by 1 association (Carici rariflorae–Sphagnetum squarrosi ass. nov.). Certain increase in species richness was recorded in syntaxa located in the northern part of the Polar Urals, it is caused by an increase in the diversity of mosses and lichens and the appearance of several arctic and hypoarctic species of vascular plants which were absent in the southern part. Such increase is often observed on the border of subzones or belts, where southern species are still present and some northern species have appeared. Number of distinguished syntaxa was the same in all localities.