Natural complexes of «Belichij ostrov»
«Belichij ostrov» is preserved in the city natural spruce forest. Its area is about 18 ha and average tree age is 80 years.
Natural complexes of the territory are represented by five types of spruce forests and also by alder forest and meadow.
There are 133 vascular plant species (10% of all vascular plant species in Karelia). The trend in the change of grass-shrub cover under anthropogenic load occurs in the park. Typical forest plants are replaced by meadow and weed species
31 lichens species were recorded on «Belichij ostrov». The greatest number of species (27) is lichens that live on tree branches and trunks, 2 species are from the soil, 2 are living on the rocks. Nine lichen species are sensitive to pollution, and one of them (Bryoria nadvornikiana) listed in the Red book of Karelia. Growth of these species on the territory testifies to environment quality of «Belichij ostrov» forests.
If you are looking for more information about «Belichij ostrov», its inhabitants and occurring natural processes, you could use virtual excursion along ecological trail http://ptzforest.ru/?id=24.
Photos are from the archive of KRPO «SPOK» (ngospok@gmail.com).