Regional and vegetation-ecological patterns in northern boreal flark fens of Finnish Lapland : analysis from a classic material

Abstract

<div lang="en" class="abs"><p class="abs_header">Abstract</p><p>We analysed and interpreted ecologically a part of classic peatland vegetation material of prof. Rauno Ruuhijärvi dating from 1960. Sample plots formed a compositional gradient along NMDS 1 across three traditionally recognized peatland subzones of Finnish Lapland, and Cajanderian site types showed a poor—rich gradient along NMDS 2. Analysis-based major vegetation groups were related to the regional and the mire-expanse-to-margin gradient. Southerly-focused <em>Eriophorum gracile—Potentilla palustris—Straminergon stramineum</em> major group was interpreted as an indication of a more voluminous spring flood in a more oceanic climate, while northerly-focused <em>Carex rotundata—Trichophorum cespitosum</em> m. g. was interpreted as a reflection of a minor spring flood in a more continental climate. Regional communities were compatible with Cajanderian site types and showed new regional and vegetation-ecological features for site types. They were related to three European fen alliances, which represented boreal (<em>Stygio-Caricion limosae</em>), arcto-boreal-alpine (<em>Drepanocladion exannulati</em>) and widespread (<em>Scheuchzerion palustris</em>) vegetation.</p></div>