Aims Phytosociological classification of fen vegetation (Scheuchzerio palustris‐Caricetea fuscae class) differs among European countries. Here we propose a unified vegetation classification of European fens at the alliance level, provide unequivocal assignment rules for individual vegetation plots, identify diagnostic species of fen alliances, and map their distribution. Location Europe, western Siberia and SE Greenland. Methods 29 049 vegetation‐plot records of fens were selected from databases using a list of specialist fen species. Formal definitions of alliances were created using the presence, absence and abundance of Cocktail‐based species groups and indicator species. DCA visualized the similarities among the alliances in an ordination space. The ISOPAM classification algorithm was applied to regional subsets with homogeneous plot size to check whether the classification based on formal definitions matches the results of unsupervised classifications. Results The following alliances were defined: Caricion viridulo‐trinervis (sub‐halophytic Atlantic dune‐slack fens), Caricion davallianae (temperate calcareous fens), Caricion atrofusco‐saxatilis (arcto‐alpine calcareous fens), Stygio‐Caricion limosae (boreal topogenic brown‐moss fens), Sphagno warnstorfii‐Tomentypnion nitentis (Sphagnum‐brown‐moss rich fens), Saxifrago‐Tomentypnion (continental to boreo‐continental nitrogen‐limited brown‐moss rich fens), Narthecion scardici (alpine fens with Balkan endemics), Caricion stantis (arctic brown‐moss rich fens), Anagallido tenellae‐Juncion bulbosi (Ibero‐Atlantic moderately rich fens), Drepanocladion exannulati (arcto‐boreal‐alpine non‐calcareous fens), Caricion fuscae (temperate moderately rich fens), Sphagno‐Caricion canescentis (poor fens) and Scheuchzerion palustris (dystrophic hollows). The main variation in the species composition of European fens reflected site chemistry (pH, mineral richness) and sorted the plots from calcareous and extremely rich fens, through rich and moderately rich fens, to poor fens and dystrophic hollows. ISOPAM classified regional subsets according to this gradient, supporting the ecological meaningfulness of this classification concept on both the regional and continental scale. Geographic/macroclimatic variation was reflected in the second most important gradient. Conclusions The pan‐European classification of fen vegetation was proposed and supported by the data for the first time. Formal definitions developed here allow consistent and unequivocal assignment of individual vegetation plots to fen alliances at the continental scale.

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Background: It is known that a range of nonbeverage alcohols including eau-de-colognes and medicinal tinctures are consumed by sections of the Russian population. Research conducted in a city in the Urals (2003Urals ( to 2005 showed that consumption of such products is associated with very high mortality from a wide range of causes. However, there have been no systematic attempts to investigate the extent to which such products are available in other cities of the Russian Federation. There is particular interest in establishing this following the introduction of new federal regulations in January 2006 aimed at restricting the availability of these products.Methods: In the first half of 2007, we conducted a survey in 17 cities that spanned the full range of city types in the Russian Federation excluding those in the Far East. In each city, fieldworkers visited pharmacies and other types of retail outlets and purchased samples of nonbeverage alcohols. These were defined as being typically 10 to 15 roubles per bottle, with an ethanol concentration of at least 60% by volume.Results: We were able to purchase samples of nonbeverage alcohols in each of the 17 cities we investigated. The majority of the 271 products included were a cheaper and more affordable source of ethanol than standard Russian vodka. Medicinal tinctures, sold almost exclusively in pharmacies, were particularly common with an average concentration of 78% ethanol by volume. Most importantly, the majority of the products were of a sort that our previous research in 2004 to 2005 had established were drunk by working-age men.Conclusions: While the 2006 federal regulations introduced in part to reduce the availability and consumption of nonbeverage alcohols may have had some effect on certain classes of nonmedicinal products, up until June 2007 at least, medicinal tinctures as well as some other nonbeverage alcohols that are consumed appear to have been readily available.

Aims: An Arctic Vegetation Classification (AVC) is needed to address issues related to rapid Arctic-wide changes to climate, land-use, and biodiversity. Location: The 7.1 million km 2 Arctic tundra biome. Approach and conclusions: The purpose, scope and conceptual framework for an Arctic Vegetation Archive (AVA) and Classification (AVC) were developed during numerous workshops starting in 1992. The AVA and AVC are modeled after the European vegetation archive (EVA) and classification (EVC). The AVA will use Turboveg for data management. The EVC will use a Braun-Blanquet (Br.-Bl.) classification approach. There are approximately 31,000 Arctic plots that could be included in the AVA. An Alaska AVA (AVA-AK, 24 datasets, 3026 plots) is a prototype for archives in other parts of the Arctic. The plan is to eventually merge data from other regions of the Arctic into a single Turboveg v3 database. We present the pros and cons of using the Br.-Bl. classification approach compared to the EcoVeg (US) and Biogeoclimatic Ecological Classification (Canada) approaches. The main advantages are that the Br.-Bl. approach already has been widely used in all regions of the Arctic, and many described, well-accepted vegetation classes have a pan-Arctic distribution. A crosswalk comparison of Dryas octopetala communities described according to the EcoVeg and the Braun-Blanquet approaches indicates that the non-parallel hierarchies of the two approaches make crosswalks difficult above the plantcommunity level. A preliminary Arctic prodromus contains a list of typical Arctic habitat types with associated described syntaxa from Europe, Greenland, western North America, and Alaska. Numerical clustering methods are used to provide an overview of the variability of habitat types across the range of datasets and to determine their relationship to previously described Braun-Blanquet syntaxa. We emphasize the need for continued maintenance of the Pan-Arctic Species List, and additional plot data to fully sample the variability across bioclimatic subzones, phytogeographic regions, and habitats in the Arctic. This will require standardized methods of plot-data collection, inclusion of physiogonomic information in the numeric analysis approaches to create formal definitions for vegetation units, and new methods of data sharing between the AVA and national vegetation-plot databases.

Abstract. A phytosociological survey of the tundra vegetation of the Kola Peninsula, Russia according to the Braun‐Blanquet approach is presented. The areas examined comprise the treeless zones along the shores of the White Sea and the Barents Sea as well as mountain areas above the timberline. Plant communities were assigned to five alliances: Loiseleurio‐Diapension on dry, wind‐swept habitats on summits and wind‐eroded sites in the lowland; Phyllodoco‐Vaccinion myrtilli on well‐drained soils with intermediate snow cover and moisture status, mostly in the lowlands and lower belts of mountain tundra; Nardo‐Caricion bigelowii comprising early snowbed and Salicion herbaceae late snowbed communities; Adenostylion alliariae comprising mesophilous tall‐herb communities along mountain springs and in wind‐protected and well‐drained sites near the sea shore. A DCA‐ordination showed that two major gradients determine the varation in tundra vegetation, altitude and topography, which are connected to variation in snow cover. The syntaxa described are well‐differentiated, although they form a syntaxonomical continuum.

Background: Male life expectancy in the Russian Federation, at 60 years, is the lowest in Europe. Several factors contribute to this situation, but hazardous consumption of alcohol is especially a key factor. Methods: We undertook a stakeholder analysis in a typical Russian region located on the western side of the Urals. Organizations with a stake in alcohol policy in the region were identified by snowball sampling and information on their position and influence on alcohol policy was elicited from interviews with key informants. Their interests and influence were mapped and their relationships plotted. Results: Twenty-nine stakeholder organizations were identified and 43 interviews were conducted with their staff. The most influential actors were the Federal and regional governments, large beer producers and manufacturers of strong alcohols. However, the majority of organizations that might be expected to play a role in developing or implementing alcohol control policies were almost entirely disengaged and fragmented. No evidence was found of an existing or emerging multi-sectoral coalition for developing alcohol policy to improve health. Organizations that might be expected to contribute to tackling hazardous drinking had little understanding of what might be effective. Conclusions: While stakeholders with an interest in maintaining or increasing alcohol consumption are engaged and influential, those who might seek to reduce it either take a very narrow perspective or are disengaged from the policy agenda. There is a need to mobilize actors who might contribute to effective policies while challenging those who can block them.

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A phytosociological survey of the Barents Sea coastal plant communities according to Braun-Blan­quet approach is presented. Ass. Honckenyo diffusae—Elymetum arenarii (Regel 1928) R. Tx. 1966. is des­cribed on the sand beach. Halophillous vegetation is fragmented and ascribed to the community type Stellaria humifusa—Triglochin palustre. Tall herb mea­dows on the shore are described as ass. Tripleuro­spermo—Festucetum arenariae ass. nov. Mesic and moist meadows on the sea-exposed slopes are described as ass. Polygono vivipari—Thalictretum alpini (Kalliola 1939) stat. nov. Ass. Geranietum sylvatici Nordh.1943 includes meadows along springs and brooks, ass. Rumici—Salicetum lapponi Dahl 1957 combines mea­dows with willow shrub layer. Heath vegetation of the marine terrains and low hills is presented by ass. Arctostaphylo alpinae—Empetretum hermaphroditi (Zinserling 1935) Koroleva 1994, and heathlands on the hilltops belong to the Loiseleurio—Diapensietum (Fries 1913) Nordh. 1943 subass. typicum и salicetosum nummulariae subass. nov. Stands of ass. Phyllodoco—Vaccinietum myrtilli Nordh. (1928) 1943 are common in the snow-protected habitats. Snow-bed communities are described as ass. Veratro lobeliani—Salicetum herbaceae ass. nov. Paludified heathlands are described as ass. Rubo chamaemori—Caricetum rariflorae (Regel 1923) stat. nov. Sloping fens belong to ass. Drepa­noclado revolventis—Trichophoretum cespitosi Nordh. 1928. The syntaxa spectrum of the area investigated shows close affinities to the low arctic tundra subzone as well as to the coastal vegetation of the subarctic region.