Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Threatened Alvar Grasslands in NW Russia and their Relationship to Alvars in Estonia

  • Published:
Biodiversity & Conservation Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Alvar grasslands are thin-soil calcareous grasslands on Silurian and Ordovician limestone bedrock. They are considered unique plant communities for northern Europe and America with a high conservation value. Until now, European alvar grasslands have only been described in Sweden and Estonia. We described species-rich alvar grasslands on the Izhora plateau, NW Russia and compared this vegetation with that of Estonian alvar grasslands. Floristic composition and environmental conditions of Russian alvars were similar to Estonian alvar grasslands on thicker dry soil. Russian alvars are isolated from similar communities in Estonia, but extensive transport of domestic animals from Estonia to NW Russia in past centuries has probably enhanced species dispersal. Some characteristic Estonian alvar species were missing in NW Russia because it lies outside their natural ranges. Other differences in vegetation were explained by higher atmospheric nitrogen deposition and younger age of Russian sites. In NW Russia the alvar grasslands were small, but several red-listed plant species were present. In order to preserve European alvar vegetation effectively, Russian alvar grasslands need further study and conservation as an outpost of this threatened vegetation type.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • N. Albertson (1950) ArticleTitleDas grosse südliche Alvar der Insel Öland: Eine pflanzensoziologische Übersicht Svensk Botanisk Tidskrift 44 269–331

    Google Scholar 

  • J.P. Bakker F. Berendse (1999) ArticleTitleConstraints in the restoration of ecological diversity in grassland and heathland communities Trends Ecol. Evol. 14 63–68 Occurrence Handle10234254 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0169-5347(98)01544-4

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • B. Beltman T. Broek Particleder W. Martin M. ten Cate S. Güsewell (2003) ArticleTitleImpact of mowing regime on species richness and biomass of a limestone hay meadow in Ireland Bull. Geobot. Inst. ETH 69 17–30

    Google Scholar 

  • R. Bobbink M. Hornung J.G.M. Roelofs (1998) ArticleTitleThe effect of air-borne nitrogen pollutants on species diversity in natural and semi-natural European vegetation J. Ecol. 86 717–738 Occurrence Handle10.1046/j.1365-2745.1998.8650717.x Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK1cXnsVWisb0%3D

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Botch M.S., Karchevskiy M.F., Noskov G.A. and Neyelov A.V. 1999. Dontso. In: Fokin Y.V. (ed), Red Data Book of Nature of the Leningrad Region. Vol 1, Protected Areas. St. Petersburg, pp. 115–116.

  • M.S. Botch V.I. Vasilevich S.G. Sambuk (1992) Dontso natural monument M.S. Botch V.I. Vasilevich (Eds) Notes on vegetation of Leningrad oblast Natural Protected Areas NumberInSeriesVol. 5 The works of Komarov Botany Institute Leningrad 137–149

    Google Scholar 

  • H.H. Bruun B. Fritzbøger (2002) ArticleTitleThe past impact of livestock husbandry on dispersal of plant seeds in the landscape of Denmark Ambio 31 425–431 Occurrence Handle12374051

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • S.A.O. Cousins O. Eriksson (2001) ArticleTitlePlant species occurrences in a rural hemiboreal landscape: effects of remnant habitats, site history, topography and soil Ecography 24 461–469 Occurrence Handle10.1034/j.1600-0587.2001.d01-202.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • H.C. Cowles (1908) ArticleTitleEdaphic steppes in Sweden Bot. Gazette 45 279–280 Occurrence Handle10.1086/329540

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • M. Dufrene P. Legendre (1997) ArticleTitleSpecies assemblages and indicator species: the need for a flexible asymmetrical approach Ecol. Monogr. 37 345–366 Occurrence Handle10.2307/2963459

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • J. Eilart (1958) ArticleTitleStepipäritoluga taimede levikust ja taimegeograafilistest piiridest Eestis Eesti Loodus 1 87–91

    Google Scholar 

  • H. Ellenberg H.E. Weber R. Düll V. Wirth W. Werner D. Paulissen (1991) ArticleTitleZeigerwerte von Pflanzen im Mitteleuropa Scripta Geobot. 18 1–248

    Google Scholar 

  • O. Eriksson S.A.O. Cousins H.H. Bruun (2002) ArticleTitleLand-use history and fragmentation of traditionally managed grasslands in Scandinavia J. Veg. Sci. 13 743–748

    Google Scholar 

  • J. Ewald (2003) ArticleTitleThe calcareous riddle: why are there so many calciphilous species in the Central European flora Folia Geobotanica 36 357–366

    Google Scholar 

  • L. Hämet-Ahti J. Suominen T. Ulvinen P. Uotila (Eds) (1998) Retkeilykasvio Luonnontieteellinen keskusmuseo Helsinki

    Google Scholar 

  • Isachenko G.A. 1998. ‘Window to Europe’ history and landscapes. St. Petersburg [in Russian].

  • M. Köchy S.D. Wilson (2001) ArticleTitleNitrogen deposition and forest expansion in the northern Great Plains J. Ecol. 89 807–817 Occurrence Handle10.1046/j.0022-0477.2001.00600.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • F. Krahulec E. Rosén E. Maarel Particlevan der (1986) ArticleTitlePreliminary classification and ecology of dry grassland communities on Öland Stora Alvar (Sweden) Nordic J. Bot. 6 797–809

    Google Scholar 

  • H. Krall E. Pork H. Aug Õ. Püss I. Rooma T. Teras (1980) Eesti NSV looduslike rohumaade tüübid ja tähtsamad taimekooslused Eesti NSV Põllumajandusministeeriumi Informatsiooni ja Juurutamise Valitsus Tallinn

    Google Scholar 

  • L. Laasimer (1946) ArticleTitleLoometsa ökoloogiast ENSV TRÜ Toimetised, Bioloogia 2 1–83

    Google Scholar 

  • L. Laasimer (1965) Eesti NSV taimkate Valgus Tallinn

    Google Scholar 

  • L. Laasimer (1975) Eesti lood ja loometsadnende kaitse O. Renno (Eds) Eesti loodusharulduste kaitseks Valgus Tallinn 90–101

    Google Scholar 

  • V. Liblik A. Rätsep (1994) Pollution sources and distribution of pollutants, The influence of natural and anthropogenic factors on the development of landscapes J.-M. Punning (Eds) The Result of a Comprehensive study in NE Estonia 2, Estonian Academy of Science Institute of Ecology Tallinn 70–93

    Google Scholar 

  • V. Lilleleht (Eds) (1998) Eesti punane raamat Eesti Teaduste Akadeemia Looduskaitsekomisjon Tartu

    Google Scholar 

  • D.M. Litvinov (1914) ArticleTitleThe traces of steppe post-glacial period near Petrograd The Works of Botanical Museum 12 246–269

    Google Scholar 

  • J.T. Lundholm D.W. Larson (2003) ArticleTitleRelationships between spatial environmental heterogeneity and plant species diversity on a limestone pavement Ecography 26 715–722 Occurrence Handle10.1111/j.0906-7590.2003.03604.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • L.K. Mann A.W. King V.H. Dale W.W. Hargrove R. Washington-Allen L.R. Pounds T.L. Ashwood (1999) ArticleTitleThe role of soil classification in geographic information system modeling of habitat pattern: Threatened calcareous ecosystems Ecosystems 2 524–538 Occurrence Handle10.1007/s100219900100

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • C.R. Margules A.O. Nicholls M.B. Usher (2003) ArticleTitleApparent species turnoverprobability of extinction and the selection of nature reserves: a case study of the Ingleborough limestone pavements Conserv. Biol. 8 398–409 Occurrence Handle10.1046/j.1523-1739.1994.08020398.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • O. Marttila J. Jantunen K. Saarinen (1999) ArticleTitleThe status of semi-natural grasslands in the province of South Karelia, SE Finland Ann. Bot. Fenn. 36 181–186

    Google Scholar 

  • B. McCune M.J. Mefford (1999) PC-ORD. Multivariate Analysis of Ecological Data, Version 4 MJM Software Design, Glenden Beach Oregon, USA

    Google Scholar 

  • A. Moora (1964) Peipsimaa etnilisest ajaloost Eesti Riiklik Kirjastus Tallinn

    Google Scholar 

  • A.A. Nitsenko (1962) ArticleTitleObservations on overgrowing of calcareous substrates Bull. Leningrad Univ. 5 16–24

    Google Scholar 

  • J. Paal (1998) ArticleTitleRare and threatened plant communities of Estonia Biodiv. Conserv. 7 1027–1049 Occurrence Handle10.1023/A:1008857014648

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • M. Pärtel (2002) ArticleTitleLocal plant diversity patterns and evolutionary history at the regional scale Ecology 83 2361–2366

    Google Scholar 

  • M. Pärtel M. Zobel (1995) ArticleTitleSmall-scale dynamics and species richness in successional alvar plant communities Ecography 18 83–90

    Google Scholar 

  • M. Pärtel M. Zobel (1999) ArticleTitleSmall-scale plant species richness in calcareous grasslands determined by the species pool, community age and shoot density Ecography 22 153–159

    Google Scholar 

  • M. Pärtel R. Kalamees M. Zobel E. Rosén (1999a) ArticleTitleAlvar grasslands in Estonia: variation in species composition and community structure J. Veget. Sci. 10 561–570 Occurrence Handle10.2307/3237190

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • M. Pärtel R. Mändla M. Zobel (1999b) ArticleTitleLandscape history of a calcareous (alvar) grassland in Hanilawestern Estoniaduring the last three hundred years Landscape Ecol. 14 187–196 Occurrence Handle10.1023/A:1008040114832

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • M. Pärtel A. Helm N. Ingerpuu Ü. Reier E.-L. Tuvi (2004) ArticleTitleConservation of Northern European plant diversity: the correspondence with soil pH. – Biological Conservation 120 525–531 Occurrence Handle10.1016/j.biocon.2004.03.025

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • B. Pettersson (1958) ArticleTitleDynamik och konstans i Gotlands flora och vegetation Acta Phytogeogr. Suecica 40 1–288

    Google Scholar 

  • P. Poschlod S. Kiefer U. Tränkle S. Fischer S. Bonn (1998) ArticleTitlePlant species richness in calcareous grasslands as affected by dispersability in space and time Appl. Veg. Sci. 1 75–90 Occurrence Handle10.2307/1479087

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • P. Rassi A. Alanen T. Kanerva I. Mannerkoski (Eds) (2001) The 2000 Red List of Finnish species. The II Committee for the Monitoring of Threatened Species in Finland The Ministry of the Environment and The Finnish Environment Institute Helsinki

    Google Scholar 

  • M. Rejmánek E. Rosén (1992) ArticleTitleInfluence of colonizing shrubs on species-area relationships in alvar plant communities J. Veg. Sci. 3 625–630 Occurrence Handle10.2307/3235829

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • A.S. Rodionova (1959) ArticleTitleMeadow and steppe flora elements in the valley of Oredezh river in Leningrad oblast Botanichesky Zhurnal 44 1734–1736

    Google Scholar 

  • E. Rosén (1982) ArticleTitleVegetation development and sheep grazing in limestone grasslands of south ÖlandSweden Acta Phytogeogr. Suecica 72 1–104

    Google Scholar 

  • E. Rosén E. Maarel Particlevan der (2000) ArticleTitleRestoration of alvar vegetation on ÖlandSweden Appl. Veg. Sci. 3 65–72 Occurrence Handle10.2307/1478919

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • C.A. Schaefer D.W. Larson (1997) ArticleTitleVegetation, environmental characteristics and ideas on the maintenance of alvars on the Bruce PeninsulaCanada J. Veg. Sci. 8 797–810 Occurrence Handle10.2307/3237024

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • D.N. Tsyganov (1983) Phytoindication of Ecological Regimes in Boreal and Nemoral Forests Subzone Nauka Moscow

    Google Scholar 

  • N.N. Tzvelev (Eds) (2000) Red Data Book of Nature of the Leningrad Region. Vol 2, Plants and fungi St.Petersburg State Chemical–Pharmaceutical Academy Press St. Petersburg

    Google Scholar 

  • E. Maarel Particlevan der A. Titlyanova (1989) ArticleTitleAbove-ground and below-ground biomass related in steppes under different grazing conditions Oikos 56 364–370

    Google Scholar 

  • G. Dijk Particlevan (1991) The status of semi-natural grasslands in Europe P.D. Goriup (Eds) The Conservation of Lowland Dry Grassland Birds in Europe JNCC Publ Newbury 15–36

    Google Scholar 

  • G. Vilberg (1927) ArticleTitleLoost ja lootaimkattest Ida-Harjumaal Eesti Loodusuurijate Seltsi Aruanded 34 1–131

    Google Scholar 

  • J.H. Willems (2001) ArticleTitleProblems, approaches, and results in restoration of Dutch calcareous grassland during the last 30 years Restor. Ecol. 9 147–154 Occurrence Handle10.1046/j.1526-100x.2001.009002147.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • M. Zobel (1984) ArticleTitleEcological analysis of Estonian alvar plant communities Soviet J. Ecol. 4 15–21

    Google Scholar 

  • M. Zobel (1987) The classification of Estonian alvars and their plant communities L. Laasimer (Eds) The Plant Cover of the Estonian SSR. Flora, Vegetation and Ecology Valgus Tallinn 28–45

    Google Scholar 

  • M. Zobel A. Kont (1992) ArticleTitleFormation and succession of alvar communities in the Baltic land uplift area Nordic J. Bot. 12 249–256 Occurrence Handle10.1111/j.1756-1051.1992.tb01302.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. KRC RAS Biology Institute, Pushkinskaya 11, 185910, Petrozavodsk, Karelia, Russian Federation

    Sergey Znamenskiy

  2. Institute of Botany and Ecology, University of Tartu, Lai 40, Tartu, 51005, Estonia

    Aveliina Helm & Meelis Pärtel

Authors
  1. Sergey Znamenskiy
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Aveliina Helm
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Meelis Pärtel
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Sergey Znamenskiy.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Znamenskiy, S., Helm, A. & Pärtel, M. Threatened Alvar Grasslands in NW Russia and their Relationship to Alvars in Estonia. Biodivers Conserv 15, 1797–1809 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-004-6680-7

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-004-6680-7

Keywords

Search

Navigation