Table Of Content© Biologiezentrum Linz/Austria; download unter www.biologiezentrum.at
Sketches of Russian Mires
Edited by T. MINAYEVA & A. SIRIN
Introduction and low destruction on the other (high hu-
midity, but low temperature). This situation
Russia is not commonly associated with
is typical for Russia's boreal zone, where, in
mires. In countries such as Finland or Ire-
some regions, mires cover over 50% of the
land, mires cover a greater proportion of the land surface (Fig. 1). All possible combina-
country's territory and play a more signifi- tions of geomorphologic, climatic, and pale-
cant role in its social and economic life. In ogeorgaphic factors across the territory of
Russia, mires cover about 8% of the coun- Russia, the world's largest country, result in
try's area, and, together with paludified great variation of mire types.
lands, account for 20% of its territory (VOM-
Mires became a part of land use and cul-
PERSKY et al. 1999). However, there are few
ture in many regions, and objects of thor-
places in the world where one finds such a
ough interest for different branches of sci-
high diversity of mire types and biogeo-
ence. Knowledge of mires in Russia was ini-
graphical variations.
tiated by German and Dutch experience
(Peatlands of Russia ... 2001, SlRIN & Ml-
Mire distribution is distinctly connected
NAYEVA 2003), but later Russia contributed
with bioclimatic zones and subzones. Opti-
to the world brilliant ideas and unique ex-
mum conditions for paludification are
perience in mire study.
reached when there is equilibrium between
conditions suitable for high production on The origin of mire science is rather pro-
one hand (high humidity and temperature), saic and materialistic. In southern areas,
Stapfia 85, zugleich Kataloge
der OÖ. Landesmuseen
Photo 1: A vast expanse of Western Siberian mires. Photo by A.SIRIN. Neue Serie 35 (2005), 255-321
255
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Fig. 1: Peatlands in Russia (peat depths people were in need of arable lands and be- over the course of 20 years, beginning in
over 30 cm), percent coverage gan to drain mires to use them for haying 1875. Results were published in a number of
(source: VOMPERSKY et al. 1999).
and pasturing. In northern areas, where editions (ZHILINSKY 1875, AVGUSTINOVITCH
there were too many mires, people drained 1885, VlKHLYAEV 1914 etc.). The expedi-
mires to create roads and to protect pastures tions drained large territories, improved the
and arable lands from the lateral expansion microclimates of hard-to-reach paludified
of mires and from land paludification. In areas, and built roads. During that period,
some regions, there was a deficit of timber the inundation of many rivers in European
for fuel and people burned peat. The afore- Russia changed, and some experts attributed
mentioned examples of direct mire use are this to the reclamation work. The problem
known to have existed in Russia since the attracted public attention and launched a
seventeenth century. In the eighteenth cen- broad discussion on the hydrological role of
tury, peat was already widely used both as a mires, which eventually promoted mire re-
fertilizer and as a fuel. In the second half of search.
the nineteenth century, mires were already
Research on peat and mires became a
considered to be a land resource, which
rapidly developing branch of science. Sig-
stimulated investigations of them as objects
nificant contributions were made by publi-
of nature.
cations of famous researchers such as TAN-
Two state-organized expeditions in the F1L1EV (1888), SUKATCHEV (1914), and DOK-
nineteenth century- were very important for TUROVSKl (1915). In 1914, the first issue of
mire research and for the development of a new scientific journal, «ToptJWHOe fle/lO»
mire reclamation methods. The Western ex- (Peat Business), was published. Two peat re-
pedition, or Polesskaya, which was led by search institutes were soon established: the
General Iosif Zhilinslcv, worked in the Peat Research Institute (1921) and the
Ukrainian and Byelams Polessye and in cen- Teaching Peat Institute (1922). During the
tral European Russia. The Northern expedi- Soviet period, peat studies were very pro-
tion, which was led by Ivan Avgustinovich, ductive. It should be noted, especially for
worked in northern and north-western Eu- readers outside of Russia, that VLADIMIR
ropean Russia and in what are now the LENIN, who would later become the head of
Baltic states. The aforementioned expedi- the first Soviet Russian government, read
tions carried out large-scale investigations the book by Vladimir SUKATCHEV, "Mires:
256
© Biologiezentrum Linz/Austria; download unter www.biologiezentrum.at
Genesis, Development, and Features", in (1948, 1971) became classical works famil-
October 1917, and shortly after the revolu- iar to mire scientists in Russia and abroad.
tion promoted and supported mire research Published in 1940, and later revised and re-
and exploitation. published in 1949 and 1976, a book by
Sergei TYUREMNOV became a reference for
A national policy for mire research and
many beginning and experienced mire sci-
use was created. The Russian government
entists. The latest review of mire diversity in
established the State Peat Committee as
Russia that was made available to foreign
early as spring 1918; peatland inventory was
readers was prepared by BOTCH & MASING
launched in Russia; and field surveys of peat
(1983); this review was based on their Russ-
deposits in the central part of Russia were
ian book published in 1979. YURKOVSKAYA
carried out. A special decree "On peatlands"
(1992) reviewed the subject based on results
was issued in 1922 and thus promoted the
of recent studies and presented it in a num-
development of standardized peatlands in-
ber of maps published in Russia and abroad.
ventory and monitoring across the country.
Since 1940, the peatlands depositary has ex- Botanists and geobotanists in the former
isted as an autonomous organization, and in Mire Science Society (within the All-
1980 it was integrated into the geological Union Botanical Society) contributed much
depositary. Presently, the peat depository is to mire science. For many years
an unique database covering a great majori- (1971-1998) the head of the Mire Science
ty of peatlands. It includes mire mapping, Society was Marina Botch. Society activi-
characteristics of peat deposits, and sketch- ties included monthly seminars and bienni-
es on their vegetation and hydrology. Regu- al field excursions, which were associated
lar inventories and publications based on with symposia and thematic workshops and
standardized national surveys offered broad followed by publications (Nature of mires ...
possibilities for peatlands studies. 1967, Main principles ... 1972, Mire types
of the USSR ... 1974, Genesis and dynam-
Later on, the development of Russian
ics ... 1978, Mires and mire berries 1979,
mire science was focused on special aspects
Anthropogenic changes ... 1985, Methods
of mires' natural functions and components,
of mire study... 1986, Peatland resources ...
from the points of view of geobotany, hy-
1989, Structure and development ... 1989,
drology, landscape ecology, etc. The land-
Mires of protected areas ... 1991). The last
scape complex approach to mire research,
(eleventh) field seminar-excursion was held
which is typical for the Russian school and
during the waning days of the Soviet Union,
was developed by BOGDANOVSKAYA-
in August 1991, in the Tsentralno-Lesnoi
GUIENEUF (1969), GALKINA (1946), MAS-
Biosphere Nature Reserve in Tver Oblast
ING (1974) and others, is very productive
(in the European part of Russia).
and well known among mire specialists. The
Russian school of mire hydrology, which was
Over the last decade, a number of col-
presented by DUBACH (1936, 1944), IVANOV
lective studies were published. They includ-
(1953,1957,1975,1981), ROMANOV (1961,
ed an analysis and clarification of peat cov-
1968a,b) and others, is considered to be the
erage in Russia (VOMPERSKY et al. 1994,
foundation of mire hydrology all over the
1999), investigations of mires in several re-
world.
gions of the country (Mire systems of West-
The period 1950-1970 was very produc- ern Siberia 2001, etc.), analyses of available
tive as far as the geographical scope of stud- information on mires (Peatlands of Russia
ies was concerned. Numerous expeditions in ... 2001) and others. Collective discussions
mires were carried out in different regions of on issues such as the wise use of peatlands
the country. A comprehensive description (Mires and paludified forests ... 1999) and
of regional mire types was given for example the role of mires in the carbon cycle and cli-
by PYAVCHENKO (1955,1958) and later sum- mate change (Dynamics of mire ecosystems
marized in (1963,1985). Beginning in 1930, ... 1998, Western Siberian peatlands ...
mire type distribution and zonation became 2001) were organized. As a result of collab-
regular subjects of mire surveys. Well known oration between experts in different sectors,
reviews by ZlNSERLING (1932) and KATZ an Action Plan for Peatland Conservation
257
© Biologiezentrum Linz/Austria; download unter www.biologiezentrum.at
and Use in Russia (2003) was compiled and AVGUSDNOVICH I.K. (1885): ABrycntHOsm M. K. KpaTOtii
approved. Broad information exchange on ofcop 60J10T M MX ocyiuemie Ha cesepe Pocom. CTI6.,
1885. 19 c. (A brief review of mires and mire
problems of mire research, use, and conser-
reclamation in northern Russia. — St. Peters-
vation has been promoted on the website
burg: 1-19. In Russian).
www.peatlands.ru.
BOGDANOVSKAYA-GUIENEUF I.D. (1969): EorflaHO-
Describing mires in Russia is tanta- M.fl. 3axoHouepHOcni (popunpoBaHMsi
60J10T BepxoBoro Tuna Ha npnuepe
mount to embracing an ocean. In this chap-
nojiMCTOBo-JloaaTCKoro MaccnBa. JlennHrpaa: Hayxa,
ter, we tried to synthesiie the experiences of
JleHKHrp. OTfl., 1969. 186 c. (Development pat-
mire experts and institutions from different terns of sphagnum raised bogs based on the
regions in Russia and, through these several example of the Polysto-Lovat mire massif. —
Nauka Leningrad Branch, Leningrad, 1969: 1-
sketches, introduce the reader to the role of
186. In Russian).
mires in nature and in the social life of this
country. In the first paper, Tatiana BOTCH M.S. & V.V. MASING (1979): BOH M.C., Ma3MHr
B.B. 3KooiCTeubi 60J10T CCCP. Jl.:Hayxa. 1979. 188
YURKOVSKAYA presents her own view on the
c. (Ecosystems of mires in the USSR.— Nauka,
distribution of mire types in Russia. The au-
Leningrad: 1-188. In Russian).
thors of the second sketch offer a brief idea
BOTCH, M.S. & V.V. MASING (1983): Mire ecosystems
of main types of mire use, threats to them,
in the USSR. — In: GORE A.J.P. (Ed.), Ecosystems
and mire conservation in Russia. Two addi- of the World. Volume 4B - Mires: Swamp,
tional regional papers are devoted to two Bog, Fen, and Moor. Regional Studies. Elsevi-
er, Amsterdam: 95-152.
contrasting mire sites - one in Western
Siberia, and one in Western European Rus- DOKTUROVSKI V.S. (1915):f lOKTyDOBCKMMB .C. BO/lOTa,
crpoeHne M pa38HTne m. 1-e M3flaHtte. EeHflepu:
sia. A group of authors prepared a paper de-
BeHflepcKoe 3eMCT80, 1915. 68 c. (Mires, their
scribing the world's largest mire - the Great
structure and development. First edition. —
Vasyugan Mire. We are sorry to say that this Bendery: Benderskoje Zemstvo, 1915: 1-119.
was the last work of Olga LlSS, a mire scien- In Russian).
tist who devoted many years of her life to DUBAKH A.D. (1936): flyßax A.A. OnepxH no rnaponornn
the selfless study of Western Siberia's expan- 60J10T. PefliUflaT UYErMC, 1936. 119 c. (Sketches
sive mires. The chapter ends with a short on mire hydrology. — 119 pp. In Russian).
sketch about inner-mire mineral islands in DUBAKH A.D. (1944): flyöax A.fl. rnflpojiornsi 6O;IOT. Jl:
the Polisto-Lovat mire system in western rViflpoMeTeoMAaT, 1944. 228 c. (Mire hydrology.
— Hydrometeoizdat, Leningrad: 1-228. In
European Russia and about the interactions
Russian).
of mires with other landscapes and man. We
Dynamics of mire ecosystems of Northern Eurasia
hope that readers will acquire some sense for
in Holocene (1998) — In: ELINA G.A., KUZNETSOV
Russian mires, for their diversity, and for
O.L. & P.F. SHEVELIN (Eds.),.Materials of Interna-
their importance to humans. tional Symposium Petrozavodsk, 5-9 October,
1998. Karelian Research Center of the Russian
Academy of Sciences, Petrozavodsk: 1-55.
Acknowledgements
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STEPANOVA and Melissa MOOZA for translat-
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House, Leningrad: 1-464. In Russian).
TYUREMNOV S.N. (1976): TiopeMHOB C.H. ToprpiWbie
si. M3«. 2-e nepepalkrraHHoe v. aono-
e. MocKBa: HeApa. 488 c. (Peat deposits.
Second edition, revised and expanded. — Ne-
dra, Moscow: 1-488. In Russian).
VIKHLYAEV I.I. (1914): BtmraeB M. M. McTopxa ToptpflHoro
Aejia B POCCHK. fleTporpafl, 1914. 20 c. (History of
the peat business in Russia. — Petrograd: 1-
Address of the authors:
20. In Russian).
VOMPERSKY S.E., IVANOV A.I., TSYGANOVA O.P., VALYAE- Tatiana MINAYEVA
VA N.A., GLUKHOVA T.V., DUBININ A.I., GLUKHOV Wetlands International Russia Programme
A.I. & L.G. MARXELOVA (1994): Bog organic soils
Nikoloyamskaya str., 19, bld.3, Moscow,
and bogs of Russia and the carbon pool of
Russia, 109240.
their peat. — Eurasian Soil Science 28:91-105.
E-Mail: [email protected]
VOMPERSKY S.E., TSYGANOVA OJ5, KOVALYOV A.G.,
GUIKHOVA T.V. & NA VALYAEVA (1999): Andrey SlRJN
Bounepaaiü C.3., LjuraHOBa O.fl., Koaanes A.F.,
Laboratory of peatland
T.3., Ba--3ie3a H.A. 3a6a-i«eHKOCTb wppti-
forestry and hydrology
PCCCHU K2X ({HXTOp rRtnwaamra aTUOOpepHOrO
Vtoßp. Hay™, ipysu no npo&isue Institute of Forest Science
Russian Academy of Sciences, Uspenskoye,
BKnafl». M.: HayHHKA CoBeT HTTI
Moscow Region, Russia, 143030
H3M8HSHMH npXpOAHOÜ CpSffJ M KTJaaTan, 1999. C.
124-144. (The paludification rate of the terri- E-Mail: [email protected]
260
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Distribution of Mire Types in Russia
T. YURKOVSKAYA
Abstract: Mire distribution is distinctly connected with bioclimatic zonation. From tundra regions, to
the southern limit of the taiga, the following mires types give way to each other sequentially: polygo-
nal, palsa, ribbed fens (aapa), and raised bogs. Herbaceous and herbaceous-moss fens occur in all zones
and regions. From the north to the south, they differ in their community structure, species composition,
and syntaxonomical composition. In boreal and nemoral regions, forest swamps are distributed. In each
bioclimatic zone, not one, but rather several, of the aforementioned regional mire types is found, and
their distribution ranges are overlapping.
Key words: bioclimatic zonation, polygonal mire, palsa mire, ribbed fen, bog, unpatterned fen, swamp,
Russia
Introduction of Ratmanov Island (169°02' W). Russia's
northernmost point on the continent is sit-
With its borders extending for 60.900
uated in Siberia, on the Taimyr Peninsula,
km, Russia occupies a considerable part of
at Point Cheluskin (77°43'N), whereas the
northern Eurasia. The country's territory
northernmost point on an island is Point
stretches for more than 4.000 km from
Fligeli on Rudolf Island (81°51'N), which is
north to south, and for 10.000 km from west
part of the Franz Josef Archipelago. And, fi-
to east. When considering the geography of
nally Russia's southernmost point can be
vegetation cover (including mires as an in-
found in the Caucasus, on the border with
tegral part), it is worthwhile to examine a Azerbaijan and southwest Mount Bazard-
geographical map. It helps to have an un- zuzu (41°00- N).
derstanding of the actual size of the country,
its reach from north to south, and from west The main factor influencing mire type
to east, and to realize its place among other distribution is climate. Thus, we will intro-
duce Eurasian bioclimatic zonation and how
countries and its position on our planet. A
it presents within Russia. We will further
geographical map offers the opportunity to
follow these zones to describe mire types.
see the location of low and up-lifted plains,
mountains, rivers, lakes, and seas, i.e. the
whole environment in which living nature Bioclimatic Zonation
exists. Therefore, I recommend that you and Azonal Factors
have a geographical map in front of you
Two huge lowlands lie in the western
when reading this paper.
part of Russia: the Eastern European Low-
First, of all, look at a map of Eurasia, and land in European Russia and the Western
then at a map of Russia. You'll see that Rus- Siberian Lowland in the Asian part of the
sia's westernmost point is located on the country. They are separated by the Ural
Baltic Spit (19°38' E). The easternmost Mountains. In these plains, bioclimatic
point on the continent is on the Bering zonation is clearly pronounced. At the same
Strait, which separates Asia and North time, almost the entire eastern part of Asian
America; specifically, this point is Point Russia (from the Yenisey River eastward) is
Dezhnev, located on the Chukotka Peninsu- occupied by mountains and high plateau. It
la (169°40'W). The easternmost point on is well known that, in mountainous areas, it
an island can be found on the eastern shore is difficult to trace latitudinal zonation as al-
261
© Biologiezentrum Linz/Austria; download unter www.biologiezentrum.at
Fig. 2: Mire Distribution in Russia. 1 -
Herbaceous-moss fens; 2 - Polygonal titudinal zonation becomes more pro- outside of Russia. Mire distribution is dis-
mires and herbaceous-moss fens; 3 - nounced. Zonation is also affected by the tinctly connected with bioclimatic zones
Palsa mires with participation of ribbed huge expanses of ocean area that are re- and subzones. The highest percentage of
fens and unpatterned fens; 4 - Raised
sponsible for transferring air masses and mires by area can be observed in the north-
bogs; 5 - Raised bogs with participation
of ribbed fens; 6 - Raised bogs with thus, moisture. First, in the Far East, let us ern part of the country. In some boreal re-
prevailing ribbed fens; 7 - Raised bogs note the influence of Pacific monsoons, gions, such as the Western Siberia or White
with prevailing fens; 8 - Herbaceous-
which transform zonal regularities and influ- Sea Lowlands, for example, the portion of
sedge fens with raised bogs and
occasional palsa; 9 - Reed fens; 10 - ence all natural processes in the region. In paludified lands can be as high as 50-80%.
Mires in mountains, muskeg, and palsa; the North, the Arctic Ocean's cold masses
11 - Mires in highlands; 12-Territory
play a great role, as 14% of Russia's territory
with occasional presence of mires. Latitudinal Mire Distribution
is situated north of the Polar Circle. In the
(Mires from North to South)
West, Atlantic Ocean air masses penetrate
the continent as far as the Western Siberian
After briefly introducing you to Russia's
Lowland. Therefore, there is not a single
bioclimatic zonation, we will now lead you
bioclimatic zone, which extends across the
through the entire country from the far ex-
country from west to east, as might be seen
treme north to the south. From the tundra
on some maps. Latitudinal zonation is well-
to the southern limit of the taiga, the fol-
defined within certain meridial sectors and
lowing types of mires give way to each oth-
provinces, primarily within the plains. Five
er sequentially: polygonal, palsa, ribbed fens
bioclimatic zones are distinguished within
(aapa), and raised bogs (Fig. 2). Herbaceous
Russia. They are, from north to south: Arc-
and herbaceous-moss fens have the widest
tic (tundra); boreal (taiga); nemoral (broad-
distribution range. They are found from the
leaved forest); steppe; and desert. Only in
high arctic till the southern limits of Russia.
the European part of Russia can one observe
It does not however mean that those mires
all of the aforementioned zones in their typ-
are azonal. From the north to the south they
ical sequence. In Siberia, the nemoral rone
change their floristic composition, syntax-
is absent, although it appears again in the
onomy, and type along with the latitudinal
Far East. In Asian Russia, the steppe zone is
gradient.)
represented only by its northern subzones.
In Asia, both the southern part of the steppe
zone and the desert zone can be found only
262
© Biologiezentrum Linz/Austria; download unter www.biologiezentrum.at
Arctic Mires
The Arctic is considered to be the terri-
tory situated north of the polar forest
boundary up to the northernmost terrestrial
limits (ALEXANDROVA 1980). Within Rus-
sia, the Arctic occupies a vast area extend-
ing longitudinally over 150°, from the At-
lantic to the Pacific Oceans. Mires comprise
a significant part of vegetation cover in the
Arctic, except in high latitudes (the High
Arctic Tundra Subzone). The main reason
for this is that permafrost creates a layer that
is impenetrable by water. During the short
period of warmth in the summer, water from
snow melt stays in place because of "hy-
droisolation". Permafrost is also responsible
for the uniquely patterned structure of Arc-
tic mires, which is formed by thermokarst
processes.
ing from 1 to 4 meters. Crack widths are de- Photo 2. t-hgr. centred polygon mire
The Arctic mire systems are presented complexes in Eastern European northern
scribed as being 0.5-1 m for the European
by herbaceous and herbaceous-moss fens tundra.
North, while PYAVCHENKO (1955) has re-
in river and stream valleys and in sea low-
ported widths of 4 m and more for the Yamal
lands, and polygonal mires and palsa mires
Peninsula.
in watersheds.
Peat deposits in polygon mires are
Polygonal mires are the most remark-
formed by sedges, brown mosses and horse-
able Arctic mire type. My colleague, Prof.
tails. They are shallow and often include silt
Galina ELINA (1993), has come up with an
apt expression for them: "checkered mires." or sand. For most of the year, the peat is
Their polygonal structure arises from the frozen, which prevents it from decomposing.
network of deep cracks, which divides the
Typical vegetation cover structure, in-
mire surface into polygons.
cluding that for polygonal mires, is present-
Fig. 3: The entire structure of polygon
Scientists have distinguished low-cen- ed by mixed mire massifs formed by combi-
mires. 1 - polygons and cracks; 2 - hollows
tred and high-centred morphological types nations of polygonal complexes and homo- in polygons; 3 - sedge-cotton grass fens
in polygon mires. High-centred complexes
are comprised of flat polygons separated by
cracks, as can be seen in the picture. Thus,
high-centred polygon mire complexes have
two morphological elements: polygons and
cracks. Low-centred complexes have plate-
like depressions in the center of the poly-
gon, which form a hollow. The lower part of
the polygon, or hollow, is distinguished from
the crack by a type of rim. Therefore, three
morphological parts can be distinguished in
low-centred polygon mires: a hollow, a rim,
and a crack. The hollow and rim form a
polygon. The scheme (Fig. 3) helps to un-
derstand the entire structure.
The height of the polygons varies from
0.25 to 0.7 m, and their diameter ranges
from 10 to 40 m. Rims rise above the hol-
lows by 0.25-0.35 m and have widths rang-
263
© Biologiezentrum Linz/Austria; download unter www.biologiezentrum.at
matic conditions of the Asian part of Russia.
Polygonal mires are widespread on the Ya-
mal Peninsula, and frequently occur on the
Gydan and Taymyr Peninsulas, and in
Northern Yakutia and Chukotka (Fig. 2).
However, in a map published in 1979, I pre-
sented data on polygonal mire findings in
the northeastern part of European Russia
(ISACHENKO & LAVREKKO 1979). Through
aerial-visual and land-surface field studies,
together with aerial photographs analysis,
S.A.GRIBOVA and I discovered a rather ex-
tensive range of polygonal mires located be-
yond their previously known geographic
limits (GRIBOVA & YURKOVSKAYA 1984).
This altered the traditional understanding
that polygonal mires are a typical feature for
the northern part of Asian Russia and for
North America. In European Russia, polyg-
onal mires are confined to the northern
Photo 3: Low-centred polygon mire geneous sedge fens. Fig. 3 presents a large-
(typical) tundra strip and occur in its north-
complexes in Taymyr peninsula. Photo by
scale map, which illustrates such a mire
A.NECHAEV. eastern part (Fig. 4) in the Malozemelskaya
massif. It includes a linear depression with a
and Bolshezemelskaya tundra and on the
stream, surrounded by sedge and sedge-cot-
Yugor Peninsula. They are found in the
ton grass plant communities, together with
basins of the Kheyakha, Sibirchatayakha,
polygonal complexes of different forms such
Korotaykha and Chernaya Rivers, extend-
as quadrangular to polygonal, with a flat sur- ing to the Kara River. The westernmost lo-
face or various-sized hollows bordered by cations of polygonal mires were recorded in
rims. the eastern part of the Malozemelskaya tun-
dra, in the region of the Nenetsky Ridge.
For a long time, polygonal mires were
Here, they are especially numerous in the
considered to be a typical phenomenon for
Neruta River Valley. The southernmost
Fig. 4: Distribution of Polygonal Mires in Asian Russia and the North American Arc-
polygonal mires are recorded in the upper
the European Part of Russia: 1 - Polygonal tic only (KATS 1948, BOTCH & MASING
flow of the Kolva River. These results have
mires; 2 - Southern boundary of the
1979, KIVINEN & PAKARINEN 1981, etc.). To
northern tundra; 3 - Boundary between been reflected in a number of maps, includ-
low-dwarf-birch and tall-dwarf-birch strips some extent, this is true; they are more ing "Vegetation Map of Europe" (2001), as
of the southern tundra. widelv distributed in the continent.il cli-
well as in other publications (YURKOVSKAYA
1992, Succow & JOOSTEN 2001). I have
shown polygonal mires for the entire Russ-
ian Arctic in the "Vegetation Map of the
USSR" (1990).
The southern limit of polygonal mires
generally coincides with the southern
boundary of the northern (typical) tundra
subzone, although in some places the mires
extend southward and occur in a northern
strip of the southern tundra subrone, a strip
of low-dwarf-birch tundra (Fig. 4). The
southern boundary of polygonal mires in the
European North is shifted considerably
northward, compared to that in western
Siberia. In general, the latitudinal range of
polygonal mires in northeastern Europe is
substantially narrower than tt is in Siberia.
264
