Pathways of formation of the fauna of the Solovetsky Archipelago, the White Sea, Northwest Russia

The fauna of the Solovetsky Archipelago, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Russia's White Sea, exhibits significant depletion and reduction compared to continental northern boreal regions. This depleted fauna is comparable to that of mainland forested or hypoarctic tundra biomes, with limited arctic species and few southern elements. The study identifies three key factors shaping the archipelago's fauna: the prevalence of intrazonal ecosystems (coastal wastelands, grasslands, birch sparse forests, and peat bogs), limited living space, and extreme climatic conditions. Dominant species include eurytopic polyzonal and hypoarctic ones, while isolation does not pose a significant barrier to dispersal but creates a highly specific environment that restricts new species without relevant preadaptations. The fauna's continental origin dates back to the Late Pleistocene and Early Holocene (approximately 9–10 thousand years ago), with taxonomic diversity showing 'density compensation' effects influenced by climatic conditions.

Bolotov, I. N. (2014). Pathways of formation of the fauna of the Solovetsky Archipelago, the White Sea, Northwest Russia. Entomological Review, 94(4), 562–578. https://doi.org/10.1134/s0013873814040095