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

common. Liverworts such as Barbilophozia spp., Nmrthocaulis floerkei, Shljakovia kimzeana find protection in thick carpets o f moss. Wetlands on Soroya support extensive closed communities dominated by mosses and liverworts (Sphagnum spp., Aulacomnium palustre, A. turgidum, Mylia anomala, etc). Sphagnum mosses prevail here and contribute, together with other wetland species, to formation o f peat. Sphagnum mosses are considered to provide a special environment for other species which have to endure acidity, coldness and permanent “shifting up” o f the Sphagnum peat as a substrata. Communities nearby snow patches in high alpine zone are rich o f bryophytes. Plants here have to endure condition o f short growth season, unstable and often waterlogged substrata. Specics Kiaeria starkei, Racomitrium sudeticum. Marsupella spp., Pleurocladula albescens, Anthelia juratzkana can be found there. Often snow-bed moss species grow on wet exposed soil banks. Earwort (Diplophyllum taxifolmm)forms green to greyish-green oryellowish-brown turfs or mats, rarely occurs as singleplants among other bryophytes. The species is apioneer on shaded caves or rock walls and crevices. It is oftenfound on bare soil, peat, boulders and rockfaces Photo E. Borovichev * Species o fgenus Вгушп are o fmost difficult to identify. They often colonize degradedsoils and exposed rocks which are unsuitablefor other plants. That is why they are called “pioneer species " 83