BRYOLOGICAL RATIONALE FOR ESTABLISHMENT OF THE ORLOV-PONOYSKY NATURE SANCTUARY (KOLA PENINSULA)

Abstract

The proposal to establish a new regional Orlov-Ponoysky Integrated Nature Sanctuary (zakaznik) is substantiated. This is a result of our bryological surveys in the easternmost part of the Kola Peninsula coast (Murmansk Region) - around the lower reaches of the Ponoy River, Rusinga River and Orlov Cape, where a high richness of local bryoflora, a large number of rare and threatened bryophytes were revealed. In total, 266 mosses and 115 liverworts have been recorded from this territory. Of these, twenty species are listed in the Red Data Book of the Murmansk Region (2014) and one species is included in the Red Data Book of Russia (2008). Nine red-listed species (Arnellia fennica (Gottsche) Lindb., Calycularia laxa Lindb. et Arnell, Encalypta procera Bruch, Mesoptychia badensis (Gottsche ex Rabenh.) L. Söderstr. et Váňa, Metzgeria furcata (L.) Dumort., Peltolepis quadrata (Saut.) Müll. Frib., Sauteria alpina (Nees) Nees, Scapania aequiloba (Schwägr.) Dumort, Tortula cernua (Huebener) Lindb.) were registered in the area for the first time; and new localities of two mosses (Fissidens bryoides Hedw., Hennediella heimii (Hedw.) R. H. Zander) were found. Three sites with a concentration of rare, mostly calcephilic, species were identified. Borders of the proposed nature sanctuary are outlined.

Keywords

• mosses
• liverworts
• rare species
• red data book
• nature sanctuary
• murmansk region
• ponoy river lower reaches