Communities with Myrica gale L. in mires of the Gulf of Finland coast (St. Petersburg and Leningrad Region)

Сommunities of Myrica gale L. (sweet gale), their ecology and geography in coastal mires the Gulf Finland within St. Petersburg Leningrad Region on Southeastern border range are described based 70 relevés, made 1981–2018. This species is included Red Data Books Russia (2008), (2018), Republic Karelia (2007). The distribution communities studied area as follows (Fig. 1) — Yuntolovskiy reserve (the largest population), vicinity Lisiy Nos ­settlement, forest-park “Gagarka”, Tarkhovskiy Mys, fo­rest-park (within Petersburg); Pesochnoe Bolshoy Berye­zovyy Isl., near port “Primorsk” Nor­thern coast Finland) Bolshaya Izhora ­settlement (Southern latter) area. Communities found mainly various types (raised bogs, transitional mires, fens) place former lagoons inter-dune depressions different trophic conditions; most diverse last two. assigned into 12 associations, two which with shrub layer formed by gale. Sphagnetum myricosum galis common association (Table 3). two-layers: one closed moss Sphagnum diffe­rent ecological groups. subdivided 3 subassociations dominanting groups determinant species: sphagnosum angustifolii, flexuosi, teretis. this located­ newly composition process formation. These succession stages between fens mires. ass. Myricetum caricosum lasiocarpae (table 4) includes close (50 to 80 %) layer. Carex lasiocarpa dominant herb layer, some there lower sublayer Comarum palustre. There no Association comaroso–betulosum sparse Betula pubescens 5–12 m high tree also recorded 4). Salicetum myricoso–paludiherbosum dominance willows rather widespread fens. They have (up 100 M. cover paludal herbaceous variable, only constant, sometimes abundant, (salicosum phylicifoliae, salicosum phylicifoliae-myrsinifoliae rosmarinifoliae-myrsinifoliae) according dominating mire grasses. Besides above associations abundance gale, occurs low other, often variants (Tables 2–4). discussed community regional features differ from sweet Western Northern Europe. Due rarity European part both need protection well habitats.