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

M e a d ow s and grasslands A large portion o f the coastal zone arid mountain slopes on Sonaya is covered by meadows. The proportion o f meadows is rather high compared to continental regions ofNorway. Most o f the grasslands are restricted to wet, Globe-flower (Trollius europaeus) is very decorative plant with a bright yellow, globe-shapedflower. It occurs in damp meadows and mountain birchforests along brooks and rivers and is reported as slightly poisonous Melancholy Thistle (Cirsium heterophyllum) is a tall herb with leaves green and hairless above, thick white felted underneath. It also has a large purple inflorescence and a strong grooved woolly stem. The Melancholy Thistle is common and abundant on tall herb seashore meadows, in alpine meadows and in mountain birchforests Wood Cranesbill (Geranium sylvaticum) is common and plentiful in tall herb and alpine meadows and as undergrowth o fmountain birchforests well-drained soils o f coastal area and river valleys. Tall herb dominated meadows probably replace the declining mountain birch forests on the island. Herbs and dwarf shrubs share dominance on most of the meadows. Meadows and grasslands differ as to habitats and species composition. Mesic tall grasslands occupy river and rivulet valleys with fertile soils and plentiful moisture during summer season. They produce the most luxuriant vegetation and have characteristic flowering herbs. They are distributed from sea level to higher elevation in mountains. In the alpine zone fragments o f this type o f grasslands are found in the shelter of snow in rivulet valleys, ravines and shelves under steep cliffs. Common plants of this plant community include Melancholy Thistle (Cirsium heterophyllum ), Geranium (Geranium sylvaticum ), Alpine Sweet Vernal grass (Anthoxanthum alpinum) and Globeflower 44