Features of the Ecology of Some Arctic Svalbard (Spitsbergen) Plant Communities

Investigations were made into the ecological factors governing the distribution of plant communities. In particular, temperatures were studied in the rootlayers of the plant communities and in the microenvironment. The results are recorded for day and night and under different weather conditions. The relationship between vegetation, permafrost and chemical composition of the soil was also investigated. Permafrost is found to be the main factor determining distribution of plant communities through its influence on drainage. The chemical composition of soil is tabulated for two test areas and different Dryas communities. A correlation between vegetation and chemical properties of soil has been attempted, but the need for further investigations is emphasized.