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are even reported to be a leading
factor affecting forest degrada-
tion in the industrial zone
(Selikhovkin, 1993).
Reindeer husbandry provides a
traditional form of subsistence for
the Saami people. The wild rein-
deer population amounts to
around lóthousand whereas
tame reindeer number around 70
thousand. Although these popu-
lations cover various areas, tame
reindeer are tended under more
or less the same natural condi-
tions as wild reindeer (as far as
the Saami people are concerned).
Their migration is dictated by the
availability of fresh pastures.
During the summer, the reindeer
disperse over a wide range of for-
est territory, because at this time
they favour the leaves and twigs
of the mountain birch as well as
the various grasses and herbs.
Cladina-lichens are only eaten
when wet. Damage to vegetation
caused by reindeer trampling
seems to be minimal. The winter
pastures are situated mainly on
the plains and have a predomi-
nance of Cladina vegetation.
Tame reindeer are concentrated
near the villages during winter
and, as a result, winter pastures
around the villages become over-
grazed. This has resulted in the
establishment of grasses, such as
Nardus stricta, Descfiampsia cespitosa
and D. flexuosa.
Recreation and tourism. The sur-
roundings of industrial centers
and more distant sites are similar-
ly popular destinations for some
number of people - either for
relaxation, or exploring activity.
Skiing, camping and hiking have
locally detrimental effects, but
vegetation usually recovers after
the pressure decreases. The most
successful invaders of such sites
are graminoids, apocarpic moss-
es, and fruticose and foliose
lichens. Succession after such
small-scale disturbance often
results in some increase in
species diversity compared with
adjoinong sample plots. The dam-
age caused by off road vehicular
traffic, local drilling and local fires,
especially caused by spilling of
fuel, are potentially serious causes
of degradation of landscapes.
Conclusion
Although many studies have
investigated birch forests as part
of the vegetation cover of in
Murmansk Province, numerous
unsolved problems relating to
birch forest ecosystems still exist.
On the one hand, Betula pubescens
is reported as a species to be
highly resistant to aerial pollution,
whereas on the other hand, birch
timberline ecosystems are referred
to as the most sensitive in relation
to damage caused by pollution. To
make a comprehensive study of
the birch forests' ability to resist
and regenerate after disturbance
caused by pollution, we need:
1) to use the available information
on their structure and composi-
tion relative to the habitat;
2) to examine all possible birch
forest ecosystem parameters, such
as the coenopopulation structure
and properties, the litter and soil
composition and processes, the
microbiota and so on;
3) to organize the investigations
along gradients of the main eco-
logical factors.
References (*= in Russian, **= with English summary)
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Anon. 1965, 1968*. Handbook of the
climate of the USSR. Issue 2,
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soil temperature; Part 4, Air
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Avrorin, N.A.,Kachurin, M.Kh.,
Korovkin, A.A. 1936*. Materials on
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Hámet-Ahti, L. 1963. Zonation of the
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Lid, |„ Lid, D.T. 1994. Norsk Flora. Det
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Santesson, R. The lichens and licheni-
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140
SKÓGRÆKTARRITIÐ 2001 l .tbl.