gh THE SOLOVKI ISLANDS FLORA IS RECORDED

The Solovki Islands have been attracting biologists for a long time. The Botanical Institute of Russian Academy of Sciences in St. Petersburg stores the local flora herbarium collections made within the last two centuries. Botanists of Moscow University started thorough investigation of the Solovki plants in the 80s of the 20th century. "The study was commenced by Vladimir Vekhov, assistant professor of Higher Plants Department", says Vladimir Novikov, Director of the Botanical Gardens of Moscow State University. "Several generations of students worked there under his guidance. After his death, we continued detailed study of the Solovki flora, and we have completed the effort of many years - the plant reference book with drawings and tables has been released".

The nature of the Solovki Archipelago is insular; this is specificity of it. It is assumed that the insular flora is poorer than that of the continent. "Surprisingly, but we have come to a reverse conclusion in the course of the study", says Novikov. "The diversity of plant species in the Solovki Islands is even richer than on the continent. Probably, we have discovered this paradoxical fact because we examined the nature of the islands in a more thorough way." However, insular climate favors trees and herbs - this climate is milder as compared to that of the continent.

Some plant communities on the islands are indeed unique. First of all, swamps. They have amazed the scientists by biological diversity. Half of all the Solovki plant species is represented in one swamp complex only, located on Bolshaya Muksalma island. Even rare plant species (orchids, sedges) can be found among them. The swamps attract various birds - some birds build nests there, others stop en route. The rest of the territory is covered by woods: pine-trees grow on sand-dunes and sand terraces, fir trees grow on rocky ridges, and birch-trees - in waterlogged places. The local flora is young, therefore, new plant species appear and strike root here quite easily. Some of them were brought over deliberately. For instance, Siberian pine planted in the Botanical Gardens, started to produce mature seeds and distributed independently across the territory of Bolshoi Solvetski island. Other plants were brought in by people unintentionally, for example reed mace, which appeared in the area only five years ago, and the botanists observed the reed mace capturing the territory from the open pit through to the settlement. There is danger coming from some infatuated amateur floriculturists - not all plant brought in here will 'behave properly' in the natural environment, therefore, people should be very cautious about all sorts of exotic plants.

Like everywhere in the North, the nature of the Solovki islands is extremely vulnerable. The scientists are concerned with the continuously growing number of tourists visiting the islands. Not all of them abide by the rules of the natural museum and preserve - the tourists happen to make fire which threatens with conflagration, they fail to resist the temptation of picking up beautiful orchids, and they simply trample down the plants. Local authorities and preserve guards are unable to keep an eye on everybody.

"Our work is even more in demand now that an affiliate of the White Sea biological station of Moscow State University has settled here", says Novikov. "Neither zoologists nor entomologists coming here for research can do without the plant reference materials. On top of that, the flora reference book is needed for tourists and schoolchildren who are striving to learn more about nature".

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