Vegetation of uncultivated arable land under different management in Finnish and Russian Karelia

Abstract

The vegetation of uncultivated arable land under modern, cereal/forage cropping in Finnish Karelia ( n=10) and old fashioned hay cultivation in Russian Karelia ( n=10) was compared in terms of their species composition. The plots ( n=160) were located in field margins, fallow fields and non-intensively used or abandoned hay fields unploughed over the last five years. In the TWINSPAN classification, the Finnish and Russian sites ended up in their own groups, with the exception of two sites. The mean numbers of taxa were only slightly higher in Russia, but there were major differences in species composition. According to indicator species analysis, the Finnish sites were characterised by species of early successional stages and nutrient rich, abandoned fields, such as Epilobium angustifolium, Sonchus arvensis, Elymus repens, Anthriscus sylvestris and Tussilago farfara. The Russian sites were characterised by species adapted to more stable conditions ( Ranunculus acris, Luzula multiflora), cultivated species ( Dactylis glomerata, Alopecurus pratensis) and species benefiting from hay cultivation ( Leucanthemum vulgare, Galium album). The number and cover of monocotyledon species, sedges in particular, was higher in Russia, the cover of perennial weeds being higher in Finland.