Walls, M. & Vuorisalo, T. 2000: Preface — Facing North: Investigating the Northern Dimension to Biodiversity. — Ann. Zool. Fennici 37: 213–215.
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Weider, L. J. & Hobæk, A. 2000: Phylogeography and arctic biodiversity: a review. — Ann. Zool. Fennici 37: 217–231.
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Suominen, O. & Olofsson, J. 2000: Impacts of semi-domesticated reindeer on structure of tundra and forest communities in Fennoscandia: a review. — Ann. Zool. Fennici 37: 233–249.
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Persson, I.-L., Danell, K. & Bergström, R. 2000: Disturbance by large herbivores in boreal forests with special reference to moose. — Ann. Zool. Fennici 37: 251–263.
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Marusik, Y. M. & Koponen, S. 2000: Circumpolar diversity of spiders: implications for research, conservation and management. — Ann. Zool. Fennici 37: 265–269.
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Hanski, I. 2000: Extinction debt and species credit in boreal forests: modelling the consequences of different approaches to biodiversity conservation. — Ann. Zool. Fennici 37: 271–280.
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Vuorisalo, T. & Laihonen, P. 2000: Biodiversity conservation in the north: history of habitat and species protection in Finland. — Ann. Zool. Fennici 37: 281–297.
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Selikhovkin, A. 2000: Conservation and management of animal populations in the Russian forest management system. — Ann. Zool. Fennici 37: 299–306.
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Niemelä, J. 2000: Biodiversity monitoring for decision-making. — Ann. Zool. Fennici 37: 307–317.
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Contents of Volume 37. — Ann. Zool. Fennici 37: 318.
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Weider, L. J. & Hobæk, A. 2000: Phylogeography and arctic biodiversity: a review. — Ann. Zool. Fennici 37: 217–231.
Current concerns over the impact that anthropogenic global climate change will have on levels of biodiversity have focused mainly on tropical and temperate systems. Recently, attention has turned to polar systems, and the potential impacts these climatic changes might have on polar flora and fauna. Polar organisms have been subjected to dramatic fluctuations in environmental conditions during the Holocene and Pleistocene, so one might expect these systems to be resilient. However, little is really known of how such global climate changes will impact biodiversity in the arctic. What is known, particularly through the use of molecular markers, is that glacial cycles have impacted the evolutionary trajectories of many extant polar species. By studying these organisms, particularly those found across the Holarctic, one can examine the dynamic interaction between deterministic forces (e.g. selection) and historical processes (e.g., vicariance event) in order to better understand how these processes have impacted the phylogeography and genetic divergence among taxa. Keeping with the ’northern dimensions” theme of this symposium, we review results obtained from a variety of phylogeographic studies that have examined the importance of dispersal, vicariance, and selection in shaping the distributions of arctic biota, especially among closely-related species complexes. In particular, we examine the recent debate over the importance of Pleistocene glacial cycles in influencing population genetic differentiation and speciation. Finally, we provide an assessment of how studying these arctic systems will benefit the global perspective on climate change research.
Suominen, O. & Olofsson, J. 2000: Impacts of semi-domesticated reindeer on structure of tundra and forest communities in Fennoscandia: a review. — Ann. Zool. Fennici 37: 233–249.
Grazing and trampling by semi-domesticated reindeer are important factors controlling vegetation in northern Fennoscandia. In this article we review Nordic studies on the effects of reindeer on vegetation and animal communities. The studies have shown clear effects on vegetation, especially on Cladina lichen dominated sites. Cladina is the main forage of reindeer during winter and dominates climax vegetation in dry site types in the absence of reindeer. Reindeer can even affect galling and ground-dwelling invertebrates. Due to the special relationship between reindeer and Cladina majority of the research has concentrated on winter grazing on Cladina, but there are some studies of summer grazing which have also shown substantial changes in vegetation. Reindeer grazing increases richness and diversity of vegetation and invertebrate assemblages in most cases, but this influence depends on site type and grazing intensity. The enriching effect seems to be strongest at moderate grazing intensity.
Persson, I.-L., Danell, K. & Bergström, R. 2000: Disturbance by large herbivores in boreal forests with special reference to moose. — Ann. Zool. Fennici 37: 251–263.
Moose and reindeer occur in large populations in the Fennoscandian boreal forests, and also roe deer occurs in dense populations in Sweden and Norway. These large herbivores affect the structure and function of the forest ecosystems. During periods of high densities discussions arise about the impact of these herbivores on e.g. economic forest trees and preservation of biodiversity. The aim of this study is to review the present knowledge of the disturbance caused by moose in the boreal forest. First, we give a quantitative estimate of the different disturbance factors (feeding, trampling, defecation and urination). Second, we discuss the ecological impact of the different disturbances.
Marusik, Y. M. & Koponen, S. 2000: Circumpolar diversity of spiders: implications for research, conservation and management. — Ann. Zool. Fennici 37: 265–269.
The number of spider species found in faunas north of 60deg.N varies from 250 (Polar Urals) to 620 (Finland). Faunal lists allow for comparison of the most interesting and important areas of species diversity. Only two areas, divided by the Beringian Strait, namely northeast Siberia and northwest North America have marked proportions of endemic spider taxa. There are still some areas in Eurasia which can be regarded as unstudied “white spots”. Investigations are especially required in west Siberia, northwest Yakutia and in northern parts of the Verkhoyanski and Cherski Mountain ranges. High levels of endemism, together with rather high species diversities in NE Siberia (550 spider species) and NW Nearctic (about 500 species) in spite of inadequate levels of investigation show a high necessity of further studies and conservation, at least in NE Siberia.
Hanski, I. 2000: Extinction debt and species credit in boreal forests: modelling the consequences of different approaches to biodiversity conservation. — Ann. Zool. Fennici 37: 271–280.
The extinction debt of boreal forest species is estimated to be of the order of 1000 species in Finland. Using a spatially explicit metapopulation model, this paper examines the likely consequences for the survival of species of different scenarios of forest management and conservation. The results point to the conclusion that it generally pays to concentrate the efforts of improving forest quality at certain areas rather than to spread the same total effort evenly and therefore thinly throughout the entire forest landscape. The practical conclusion is that in southern Finland an extensive restoration program of managed forests to natural-like successional forests is needed to avert the imminent wave of extinctions of specialist forest species. The greatest positive effect is obtained if forests located close to the existing remnants of biologically diverse forests are restored, which would facilitate the migration of target species to the restored forests.
Vuorisalo, T. & Laihonen, P. 2000: Biodiversity conservation in the north: history of habitat and species protection in Finland. — Ann. Zool. Fennici 37: 281–297.
Biodiversity conservation in Finland has developed from old hunting and forest-use regulations towards habitat conservation based on ecological research and international agreements on protection of wildlife. Hunting of game animals and persecution of species considered as pests have been legally regulated in Finland since the Middle Ages. The first attempts to control forest destruction date back to the 1600s. Banning of spring hunting of waterfowl was suggested already in 1769. The rise of “modern” nature conservation in the late 1800s was apparently influenced by the European bird conservation movement (introduced to Finland in 1870 by Z. Topelius), the widespread criticism towards the 1898 Hunting Decree, and the growing interest towards conservation issues among biology and forestry professionals, inspired by an article published by A. E. Nordenskiöld. Already in the 1800s both hunting/persecution and habitat changes were perceived as threats to wildlife. The Nature Conservation Act, which became the cornerstone for Finnish conservation policy, was enacted in 1923. In the 20th century the numbers of protected species and conservation areas have increased. For more than a century Finnish conservationists have participated in international conservation efforts, in which Finland now participates as a member of the European Community.
Selikhovkin, A. 2000: Conservation and management of animal populations in the Russian forest management system. — Ann. Zool. Fennici 37: 299–306.
The vast forest ecosystems of Russia are very diverse, but poorly managed. Conservation and management of forest animal populations has three main objectives: pest control, preservation of species diversity, and mainentenance of dense game animal populations. Although forest resources should be managed sustainably, the system suffers from lack of coordination between different sectors of administration, low quality of data received from some sources, and poor financial resources.
Niemelä, J. 2000: Biodiversity monitoring for decision-making. — Ann. Zool. Fennici 37: 307–317.
Biodiversity monitoring provides guidelines for decisions on how to manage biological diversity in terms of production and conservation. Monitoring determines the status of biological diversity at one or more ecological levels and assesses changes over time and space. Monitoring at the global level is needed to compare trends caused by the increasing homogenisation of the world’s landscapes. Bioindicators are routinely used, but each indicator’s potential to determine changes in the overall biodiversity should be rigorously tested. Monitoring is a vital feedback link between human actions and the environment, but incorporation of monitoring results into decision making is hampered by poor communication between ecologists and decision-makers. A global network for assessing biodiversity changes (GLOBENET) is described as an example of an initiative that attempts to address the above issues by using a simple field protocol with the aim to develop tools for assessment and prediction of the ecological effects of human-caused changes in the landscape.