Northern European Taiga
Widely know as taiga, these are is the dark, coniferous forest of the Boreal Zone. Dominated by Picea abies (Norway spruce) and Pinus sylvestris (Scotts pine) it covers approximately one third of Europe. Common broad-leaved trees include Alnus incana, Betula pubesces, and Sorbus aucuparia although these tend to be confined to the damper areas. Typical shrub layer species include Rubus chamaemorus, Vaccinium myrtillus and V. vitis-idaea. Moss and field layers are often rich with typical vascular plants including Calamagrostis purpurea, Listera cordata, Maianthemum bifolium, Melampyrum sylvaticum, Moneses uniflora, Orthilia secunda and Trientalis europaea. The European endemic species Hepatica nobilis (Ranunculaceae) may also be present. Several interesting pteridophytes may also be present such as the horsetail Equisetum sylvaticum, the clubmoss Diphasiastrum complanatum and the fern Dryopteris assimilis.
Northern European Boreal Birch Forest
These are largely characterized by downy birch Betula pubescens. The shrub layer species vary but usually include Emperum nigrum and Vaccinium myrtillus in the more acidic areas, and Daphne mezereum, Ribes spicatum and a northern form of bird cherry Prunus padus in the less acidic areas. The field layer also varies with Melampyrum pratense, M sylvaticum, Potentilla erecta and Solidago virgaurea in acidic conditions and with increasing wetness species such as Cornus suecica, Geranium sylvaticum, Omalotheca norvegica, Trollius europaeus and Viola biflora become more conspicuous. Lush field layers are only found where conditions are calcareous. Here species such as Aconitum sepentrionale, Cicurbita alpine, Milium effusum, Polygonatum verticillatum and the European endemic Corydalis intermedia (Fumariaceae) may be encountered.
Northern European Boreal Alder Woodland
These woodlands or carrs are largely dominated by Alnus incana, but Alnus glutinosa may also be present. They fringe the Bothnian coastline and spread inland along river valleys into adjacent mountainous areas. Shrub layer species may include Ribes spicatum and there is often a rich field layer of herbaceous species such as Caltha palustris, Campanula latifolia, Cardamine amara, Gagea lutea, Paris quadrifolia, Peucedanum palustre, Ranunculus auricomus and the European endemic Glycera lithuanica (Poaceae). Among the more interesting pteridophytes are the horsetail Equisetum pratense and the fern Matteuccia struthiopteris.
Northern European Boreal Heath
Most of the heaths of northern Europe are confined to montane or alpine zones. Typical ericaceous shrublets include Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, Calluna vulgaris, Cassiope hypnoides, Empetrum nigrum, Loiseleuria procumbens, Vaccinium myrtillus and V. uliginosum. The dwarf birch Betula nana, Juniperus communis and various Salix species are also usually present. Herbaceous elements are mainly mountain species such as Cerastium alpinum, Dryas octopetalum, Kobresia myosuroides, Polygonum alpinum and the European endemic Galium pumilum (Rubiaceae).
Northern European Boreal Mire
Mire is an extensive habitat in northern Europe covering, for example, about 32% of Finland. They may be ombrotrophic (receiving nutrients only from rain water) or minerotrophic (receiving additional nutrients from terrestrial sources). The former always have a low nutrient status but nutrient status of minerotrophic systems may be low (oligotrophic), intermediate (mesotrophic) or high (eutrophic). Numerous mire plant communities have been described including ombrotropic pine (Pinus sylvestris) mire, mesotrophic spruce (Picea abies) mire and eutrophic birch (Betula pubescens) mire. There are also many types of mire characterised by herbaceous species particularly Carex, Eriophorus and mosses such as Calliergon, Campylium and Sphagnum. In terms of morphology, the most extensive mire type in the boreal region is known as aapa mire distinguished by a series of ridges or hummocks with alternating hollows (flarks) and ridges. These structures are formed as a result of frost heaving and flowing melt water. The watery flarks are minerotrophic while the ridges are largely ombrotrophic. Consequently, they support different plant species. Common flark species include the insectivorous sundew Drosera intermedia and the beak sedge Rhychosporum alba together with Andromeda polifolia, Eriophorum vaginatum, Scirpus cespitosa and Vaccinium oxycoccus, while common ridge species include Betula nana, Calluna vulgaris, Empetrum nigrum and Rubus chamaeorus. In the more nutrient rich areas fen vegetation rich in orchids such as Dactylorhiza cruenta, D. traunsteineri and Malaxis monophyllos can be found. On the other hand, these northern mires support few strictly endemic species but may include several European endemics such as Saxifrage hirculus (Saxifragaceae) and Schoenus ferrugineus (Cyperaceae).
Northern European Bothnian Seashore Meadows
These zonal communities are analogous to the saltmarshes of fully saline seawater but here were the salinity can be as low as 0.2% there is fewer halophytes (salt tolerant species). Among the hydrophytic vegetation of the so-called hydrolittoral (wet littoral) zone halophytes are virtually absent, but because of the sub arid climate in this area during the growing season bare salt patches can develop in the geolittoral or dry littoral zones and as a result these usually support more halophytes. Several zones or meadow types occur in the geolittoral. These usually include a pioneer zone of Eleocharis uniglumis followed by a more extensive Juncus gerardii zone. The latter includes a curious mixture of glycophytes (non salt tolerant species), such as Parnassia palustria, and halophytes such as Glaux maritima, Salicornia europaea, Spergula salina and the endemic taxon Odontities vernum subsp. littoralis (Scrophulariaceae). Festuca rubra meadows often occur landward of the Juncus gerardii distinguished by a rich variety of glycophytic species. Other characteristic taxa include Calamagrostic neglecta, Carex glareosa, Leontodon autumnalis and the endemic or near endemic taxa Euphrasia bottnica (Scrophulariaceae) and Primula nutans subsp. finmarchica (Primulaceae). Other zones may be present especially at the sheltered ends of bays such as Limingan lahti and Kempeleen lahti. For example, an Eleocharis acicularis zone can form a wide and luxurious meadow near the deltas of rivers. Common associates such as Eleocharis palustris, Ranunculus trichophyllus var. eradicatus and Subularia aquatica may be present, but outstanding among this flora is Alisma gramineum subsp. wahlerbergii (Alismataceae), which is considered to be endemic to the Baltic Sea. Also at the head of bays are several Carex meadows. These may be dominated by Carex halophila (Cyperaceae) – a species confined to shores of Bothnian Bay. In coastal meadows along the White Sea and Arctic shores, Carex mackenziei, which has a circumpolar distribution, and or C. paleacea may be important components, whereas in the hydrolittoral species such as Equisetum fluviatile, Phragmites communis and Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani often predominate. Other important taxa associated with these coastal meadows include Baltic endemics such as Artemisia bottnica and A. maritima subsp. humifusa (Asteraceae), Agrostis stolonifera var. bottnica, Deschampsia bottnica and Hierochloë odoata subsp. baltica (Poaceae), Juncus articulatus var. hylandri (Juncaceae), Mentha arvensis var. litoralis (Lamiaceae) and the European endemics Angelica archangelica subsp. litoralis (Apiaceae), Agrostis gigantea var. glaucescens (Poaceae), Atriplex longipes subsp. praecox (Chenopodiaceae) and Myosotis palustris var. praecox (Boraginaceae).
Further information required.
References
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