Borovichev E.A. Botanical excursion on the Northern Soroya. Hammerfest, 2014.

roughly compared with latitude zones in northern Europe. The main reason for vegetation change is the temperature drop with elevation increase; this micro-climate gradient is particularly evident on wind exposed mountain slopes. Furthermore, the rising and cooling o f water-laden air-mass cause a higher level o f precipitation on seaward and wind-exposed mountain slopes. Mountain summits have a harsh climate similar to the high Arctic, with strong wind, high precipitation, sharp temperature variations and snowfall even in summer. Each zone carries its own type of plant life, though they merge into each other, and boundaries between belts aren’t sharp and distinct. Two vegetation zones are represented on the Saraya Island; subalpine (or orohemiarctic, or mountain birch zone) and alpine (or oroarctic, or tundra zone). Subalpine Tufts o fRacomitrium lanuginosum andprostrate dwarf shrubs dominate plant communities in the middle alpine subzone o fthe Sereya zone is fragmented and restricted to sheltered habitats on Sea terraces and in river valleys. This zone includes not only mountain birch forests, but also tall-grass meadows and mires, which are A marked variation between plant communities in tundra zone is quite distinct due to microtopography and snow distribution: open vegetation is situated on the snow-free ridges, dwarfshrubs - on moderatelyprotected slopes and Nardus stricta dominated grasslands - in depressions 25