Scientific publications

Mount Lysaya is the highest landform (399.4 m) in the hilly plains with a monotonous topography of glacial genesis in the vicinity of the Polyarnye Zori Town. Three vegetation zones are well expressed on the slopes of Mt Lysaya: mountain pine and spruce forests, subarctic birch forests, and mountain tundra. The vegetation is typical for low treeless mountains “tunturi”, characteristic of Eastern Fennoscandia. Nine species listed in Red Data Book of the Murmansk Region were identified here: bryophytes Metzgeria furcata, Protolophozia elongata, Buxbaumia aphylla, Tetrodontium repandum, vascular plants Asplenium viride, Cryptogramma crispa, Carex glacialis, Thymus serpyllum subsp. tanaënsis, and Pinguicula villosa. Two vegetation types are included in the European Red Data Book of Habitats: E1.1b Cryptogam- and annual-dominated vegetation on siliceous rock outcrops, and E2.3 Mountain haymeadow. At present, the plant cover of this ter ritory is exposed to human impact, which leads to a degradation of the habitats of rare and protected species, and a decline of their populations. The area of Mt Lysaya meets the criteria for regional important plant areas. It is necessary to establish it as a regional nature monument.