Richness and Scarcity of the Flora of White Sea Islands

A comprehensive survey of the flora of over 100 White Sea islands reveals significant variation in vascular plant richness, ranging from zero species on rocky islets to 337 native species on Bolshoi Solovetsky Island. This diversity is primarily influenced by island size, with smaller and more remote islands showing distinct deviations from the typical boreal flora, marked by a decline in boreal species and an increase in northern-distributed taxa. Notably, the Poaceae family dominates the taxonomic spectrum, while northern-distributed species comprise up to 43% of the geographical elements, mirroring patterns seen in Arctic latitudes. These findings underscore the complex interplay between island characteristics—such as area, isolation, geological structure, and coastline serration—and flora composition, providing critical insights into the biodiversity dynamics of this UNESCO-listed cultural and historic site.

Kravchenko, A., Timofeeva, V., & Fadeeva, M. (2022). Richness and Scarcity of the Flora of White Sea Islands. KnE Social Sciences. https://doi.org/10.18502/kss.v7i3.10426