Scientific publications

Meadows, like other types of vegetation, are affected by human activities that result in the impoverishment and depletion of meadow flora which has many valuable forage plants. The goal of our studies is to assess the species composition of meadow phytocenoses on the islands of lakes Onega and Ladoga in order to mobilize and preserve their botanic potential. Geobotanical descriptions of 40 meadow phytocenoses have led the author to conclude that 80% of them represent the formation class Prata genuina and groups of Prata genuina magnoherbosa, Prata genuina magno- and nanopoacosa formations. The main formations of this class in the study areas are Agrosteta tenuis, Dactyleta glomeratae and Mixtoherbeta poacosum. The formation class Prata oxylophytica is represented by Deschampsieta cespitosae formation.

More then 90 flower plant species ( grasses - 12, legumes - 7, herbs - 72 ) are described in meadow flora of the study areas. An individual phytocenosis consists of 15-44 flower plant species. Per cent coverage is 33-93% for grasses, 0-25% for legumes and 7-57% forherbs. The formations are dominated by such grasses as Dactylis glomerata, Deschampsia cespitosa and Agrostis tenuis. Festuca pratensis, Phleum pratense, Alopecurus pratensis, Elytrigia repens and Festuca rubra co-dominate in meadow phytocenoses. Poa pratensis is less abundant (up to 5%). Bromopsis inermis and Anthoxanthum odoratum are scarce. Legumes ( Trifolium pratense, T.repens, Lathyrus pratensis, Vicia cracca and V.sepium ) are not abundant in cenoses.

The polycomponent phytocenoses, known on the Valaam (Lake Ladoga) and Rechnoye (Lace Onega) islands, can be defined as standart mesophilic meadows that require a special protection and management regime.