Additions to the vascular flora of the Berezovye Islands (Koiviston saaret), Karelian Isthmus, Russia

Authors

• Pertti Uotila
• Teuvo Ahti

Abstract

Ashort history of the floristic studies in the Berezovye Islands [Koiviston saaret] Nature Reserve in the Gulf of Finland, Leningrad Region, Russia, is given. Based on the archival field notes by Viljo Erkamo in 1934, recently discovered in Finland, and new findings by the present authors during an excursion in 2008 42 vascular plant species, subspecies and hybrids are reported as novelties for the Reserve. Further, 37 taxa are new to one ormore of the four largest islands, Bol’shoy Berezovyy Island (Koivusaari), Zapadnyy Berezovyy Island (Tiurinsaari), Severnyy Berezovyy Island (Piisaari) andMalyy Berezovyy Island (Vasikkasaari). Further, some taxa, which are lacking in the recent checklist of the archipelago, are listed on the basis of literature.Most of Erkamo’s finds areweeds and other species benefited by man’s impact, apparently having totally disappeared due to the strong decrease of the human population on the islands after the SecondWorldWar. Even the recent novelties aremostly weeds and escaped ornamentals, but they also include several indigenous taxa. Comments on the variation and spreading of some taxa are given.