Abstract. The vegetation of anthropogenically disturbed sites on the Chukotka Peninsula was investigated in 1986 and 1990. 102 sites had been bulldozed free of vegetation and soil between 2 and 20 yr ago and revegetated. Anthropogenic vegetation differs considerably from natural tundra. The total plant cover decreases, lichens are absent, moss composition changes, and graminoids predominate. A floristic classification was developed in order to describe the diversity of anthropogenic communities formed on these sites. Four associations were distinguished, all belonging to the alliance Poion glaucomalacanthae. An additional alliance characterized by Alopecurus alpinus is suggested for colder sites, but it has not yet been described. There is a correspondence of associations to substrate types. The association Phippsietum algidae was found only on loam substrate. The Artemisietum glomeratae and Saxifragetum punctatae are connected with rubble or gravel. The graminoid association Arctagrostietum arundinaceae is generally widespread in disturbed habitats and occurs on a variety of substrate types.

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Multivariate statistics are applied to data on low arctic flora and vegetation in an effort to compare and interpret information derived from contrasting field methods normally considered to be incompatible. Data were collected using two of the most widespread field techniques currently in use in the circumpolar North: (1) standardized sampling, using a point frame-based protocol; and (2) more traditional phytosociological methods. The comparison is based on simultaneous objective (quantitative) and subjective (qualitative) sampling of identical stands of vegetation at and north of the latitudinal treeline in the Yamal Region of Northwest Siberia. The species composition of vegetation on anthropogenic primary surfaces is emphasized, but undisturbed tundra was also sampled. One hundred and sixty-five quadrats (1 X 1 m) were analyzed together with 33 releves (5 X 5 m) using detrended correspondence analysis (DCA). The ordination results revealed very good correlation within anthropogenic vegetation stands. However, in ordination diagrams derived from samples within undisturbed tundra, samples were clearly separated based on quadrat size because many non vascular taxa were missed inthe large quadrats.

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During the past 15 years, much progress has been made in the classification of vegetation on diverse manmade/technogenic habitats (bulldozed ground, roadsides, quarries, mine dumps, terraces from open-pit mining, etc.) in the Russian Far North, ranging from northwest Siberia to Chukotka. This experience has provided the foundation for synthesizing the information into a provisional region-wide prodromus. This prodromus is based on the matherials of 11 publications devoted to the classification of vegetation of technogenically disturbed areas of the Russian Far North. All authors of the papers reviewed here used the Braun-Blanquet approach. As a result, six levels of classification are distinguished, including (from the more general to the more specific): class, order, alliance, association, subassociation, and variant (or community type). Each level of classification is related to specific spatial scales, environmental conditions, and successional gradients. Eight classes represent the vegetation of technogenic landscapes of the Russian Far North, three of them new ones identified in Yakutia. Difficulties accompanying the classification of the vegetation of technogenic habitats are discussed.