Species composition of communities with Epipactis palustris (L.) Crantz in mires of Karelia

The article presents results of the study of the species composition and the structure of mire communities with the participation of Epipactis palustris (L.) Crantz (Orchidaceae) in the middle taiga subzone of the Republic of Karelia. This species are located around northern boundaries of its geographical range and are listed in the regional Red Data Book. The species composition of studied communities consisted of 114 species, including 92 species of vascular plants and 22 species of mosses. The species saturation of the communities varied from 15 to 48 species with the average value 33. Mean (III) and high (IV-V) constancy were characterized for 28 plant species. The determined species composition included plants from ecological-coenotic groups, which are characteristic of eutrophic herbaceous-hypnaceous and spring mires. The studied communities are related to two associations identified by the topological-ecological method applied for Karelian mires. Their species composition was similar to plant communities of the European North of Russia.