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Alvar
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<h2 id="european-alvar-locations">European alvar locations</h2> <ul><li><a href="/facts/Sweden/u3qC7lyj">Sweden</a> <ul><li><a href="/facts/%25C3%2596land/UeP1oLR4">Öland</a> – <a href="/facts/Stora_Alvaret/LxxmHmPE">Stora Alvaret</a> – largest alvar extent in Europe</li> <li><a href="/facts/Gotland/ocBHJEQK">Gotland</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/V%25C3%25A4sterg%25C3%25B6tland/kfhSV7s8">Västergötland</a> – several locations on limestone mountain <a href="/facts/Kinnekulle/XPu3xujU">Kinnekulle</a>, smaller fragments on <a href="/facts/Falbygden/px3cwGpW">Falbygden</a>, e.g. in Dala and Högstena parishes</li></ul></li> <li><a href="/facts/Estonia/PVjB16TI">Estonia</a> <ul><li>Alvars are distributed along the whole northern coast of Estonia from approx. the town of <a href="/facts/Paldiski/Vp6dVJ5E">Paldiski</a> to <a href="/facts/Sillam%25C3%25A4e/fVuDfVyt">Sillamäe</a>, wherever limestone comes to the surface near the seashore (see <a href="/facts/Baltic_Klint/9EUIwljV">Baltic Klint</a>), as well as on the islands of the <a href="/facts/West_Estonian_archipelago/gt3XdK6b">West Estonian archipelago</a>. Estonia used to be home to approximately one third of the world's alvars; however, the total area of alvars has decreased from 43,000 <a href="/facts/Hectare/DPz2HDGr">hectares</a> in the 1930s to 12,000 hectares in 2000, and approximately 9,000 hectares in 2010.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:14" href="#fn:14"><sup>14</sup></a> Estonian alvars are home to 267 <a href="/facts/Species/oDg6b96r">species</a> of <a href="/facts/Vascular_plant/5nWI2huT">vascular plants</a>, approximately one fifth of which are protected. There are also 142 species of <a href="/facts/Bryophyte/DWXKNQ1h">bryophytes</a> and 263 species of <a href="/facts/Lichen/cfbt9vjj">lichens</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:15" href="#fn:15"><sup>15</sup></a> The <a href="/facts/Government_of_the_Republic_of_Estonia/HMNbnACx">Estonian government</a> has committed itself to protect at least 9,800 hectares of the country's alvars as part of the <a href="/facts/Natura_2000/vH5hoKCj">Natura 2000</a> network.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:16" href="#fn:16"><sup>16</sup></a> The <a href="/facts/Loopealse/T8a1K8dF">Loopealse</a> subdistrict of <a href="/facts/Tallinn/IBLBVtHt">Tallinn</a> is named after alvar.</li> <li><a href="/facts/Vardi_Nature_Reserve/c94oHIzM">Vardi Nature Reserve</a> in <a href="/facts/Rapla_County/ymR4z8Vm">Rapla County</a> is an Estonian nature reserve especially designated to protect one of the more representative alvar areas of Estonia.</li></ul></li> <li><a href="/facts/England/U9mE5bGL">England</a> <ul><li><a href="/facts/Cumbria/pJQ0zhrY">Cumbria</a> and North <a href="/facts/Yorkshire/jE4s4LNG">Yorkshire</a> – under protection in the UK <a href="/facts/Biodiversity_Action_Plan/t6YDWcnG">Biodiversity Action Plan</a></li></ul></li> <li><a href="/facts/Ireland/35vYxXdP">Ireland</a> <ul><li><a href="/facts/The_Burren/1zlE3vl1">The Burren</a>, a large alvar in northwest <a href="/facts/County_Clare/X5WVnehn">County Clare</a></li></ul></li></ul> <h2 id="some-north-american-alvar-locations">Some North American alvar locations</h2> <ul><li>The <i>rare</i> Charitable Research Reserve – <a href="/facts/Cambridge%2c_Ontario/xK339y0B">Cambridge</a>, <a href="/facts/Ontario/HUkxk5Rf">Ontario</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:17" href="#fn:17"><sup>17</sup></a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Lake_Erie/m9RScPVI">Lake Erie</a> <ul><li><a href="/facts/Kelley%2527s_Island/H9DpXaPa">Kelley's Island</a>, <a href="/facts/Ohio/YutCnTlh">Ohio</a> – North Shore Alvar State Nature Preserve<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:18" href="#fn:18"><sup>18</sup></a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Marblehead%2c_Ohio/NHyoprMX">Marblehead, Ohio</a> – mostly destroyed by limestone quarrying</li> <li><a href="/facts/Pelee_Island/RJtNcVGz">Pelee Island</a>, <a href="/facts/Ontario/HUkxk5Rf">Ontario</a> – Stone Road Alvar Nature Reserve<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:19" href="#fn:19"><sup>19</sup></a></li></ul></li> <li><a href="/facts/Lake_Huron/DojTfGs2">Lake Huron</a> <ul><li>Maxton Plains Proposed Natural Area, <a href="/facts/Drummond_Island/7XhUfPRj">Drummond Island</a>, <a href="/facts/Michigan/bCurmfT2">Michigan</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:20" href="#fn:20"><sup>20</sup></a></li> <li>Belanger Bay Alvar, <a href="/facts/Manitoulin_Island/Qlt5pn6D">Manitoulin Island</a>, Ontario<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:21" href="#fn:21"><sup>21</sup></a></li> <li>Quarry Bay Nature Reserve, Manitoulin Island, Ontario<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:22" href="#fn:22"><sup>22</sup></a></li> <li>Bruce Alvar Nature Reserve, <a href="/facts/Bruce_Peninsula/unraJrad">Bruce Peninsula</a>, Ontario<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:23" href="#fn:23"><sup>23</sup></a></li> <li>Baptise Harbour Nature Reserve, Bruce Peninsula, Ontario<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:24" href="#fn:24"><sup>24</sup></a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Misery_Bay/b87xMKyI">Misery Bay</a> Provincial Park, Manitoulin Island, Ontario<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:25" href="#fn:25"><sup>25</sup></a></li></ul></li> <li><a href="/facts/Lake_Michigan/t5ynSsvY">Lake Michigan</a> <ul><li>Red Banks Alvar, <a href="/facts/Red_Banks%2c_Brown_County%2c_Wisconsin/SRe1WkDj">Red Banks, Brown County, Wisconsin</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:26" href="#fn:26"><sup>26</sup></a></li></ul></li> <li><a href="/facts/Lake_Ontario/CVDvjIAu">Lake Ontario</a> <ul><li>Carden Plain Alvar, City of Kawartha Lakes, Ontario, including <a href="/facts/Carden_Alvar_Provincial_Park/KmPF1cU2">Carden Alvar Provincial Park</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:27" href="#fn:27"><sup>27</sup></a></li> <li>Chaumont Barrens Preserve, New York<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:28" href="#fn:28"><sup>28</sup></a></li> <li>Three Mile Creek Barrens, New York</li> <li><a href="/facts/Burnt_Lands_alvar/TnV0lo1Q">Burnt Lands Alvar</a>, <a href="/facts/Almonte%2c_Ontario/w7E2HeAo">Almonte</a>, Ontario</li> <li><a href="/facts/Balsam_Lake_(Ontario)/Cxc4kMXS">Balsam Lake</a> Indian Point Provincial Park, Ontario<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:29" href="#fn:29"><sup>29</sup></a></li></ul></li> <li><a href="/facts/Quebec/4hhNvb4t">Quebec</a> <ul><li><a href="/facts/Quyon%2c_Quebec/XG9I4eao">Quyon</a></li> <li>Alvar d'<a href="/facts/Aylmer%2c_Quebec/sF2RKMza">Aylmer</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:30" href="#fn:30"><sup>30</sup></a></li></ul></li> <li><a href="/facts/Manitoba/QuCdIDYB">Manitoba</a> <ul><li><a href="/facts/Interlake_Region/muyxjvgj">Interlake</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:31" href="#fn:31"><sup>31</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:32" href="#fn:32"><sup>32</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:33" href="#fn:33"><sup>33</sup></a></li></ul></li></ul> <h2 id="see-also">See also</h2> <ul><li><a href="/facts/Calcareous_grassland/ALPbbvDq">Calcareous grassland</a> – Ecosystem associated with thin basic soil</li> <li><a href="/facts/Chalk_heath/d0Y8K6ye">Chalk heath</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Edaphic/jKujwjll">Edaphic</a> – Science concerned with the influence of soils on living beingsPages displaying short descriptions of redirect targets</li> <li><a href="/facts/Gypcrust/2e9tMLvc">Gypcrust</a> – Hardened layer of soil with a high percentage of gypsum</li> <li><a href="/facts/Gypsum_flora_of_Nova_Scotia/Lj08K7Yx">Gypsum flora of Nova Scotia</a> – Group of plants in Nova Scotia, Canada</li> <li><a href="/facts/Rendzina/rxWuW5ca">Rendzina</a> – Humus-rich shallow soil type</li> <li><a href="/facts/Barren_vegetation/BPjGIHky">Barren vegetation</a> – Area of land where plant growth may be limited</li></ul> <h2 id="external-links">External links</h2> <p> Media related to Alvar at Wikimedia Commons </p> <ul><li><a href="http://www.epa.gov/ecopage/shore/alvars/">http://www.epa.gov/ecopage/shore/alvars/</a></li></ul> <h2 id="references">References</h2> <ol> <li id="fn:1"><p>Keddy, Paul A. (2007). Plants and Vegetation. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. p. 666. ISBN 978-0-521-86480-0. <a href="978-0-521-86480-0" target="_blank">978-0-521-86480-0</a> <a href="#fnref:1" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:2"><p>Petterson, B. (1965). "Gotland and Öland: two limestone islands compared". Acta Phytogeographic Suecica. 50: 131–140. <a href="#fnref:2" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:3"><p>Catling, P. M.; Brownell, V. R. (1995). "A review of the alvars of the Great Lakes region: distribution, floristic composition, biogeography and protection". The Canadian Field-Naturalist. 109: 143–171. <a href="#fnref:3" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:4"><p>Keddy, Paul A. (2007). Plants and Vegetation. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. p. 666. ISBN 978-0-521-86480-0. <a href="978-0-521-86480-0" target="_blank">978-0-521-86480-0</a> <a href="#fnref:4" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:5"><p>Catling, P. M.; Brownell, V.R. (1998). "Importance of fire in alvar ecosystems – evidence from the Burnt Lands, Eastern Ontario". The Canadian Field-Naturalist. 112: 661–667. <a href="#fnref:5" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:6"><p>Belcher, J. W.; Keddy, P. A.; Twolan-Strutt, L. (1995). "Root and shoot competition intensity along a soil depth gradient". Journal of Ecology. 83 (4): 673–682. doi:10.2307/2261635. JSTOR 2261635. <a href="/wiki/Doi_(identifier)" target="_blank">/wiki/Doi_(identifier)</a> <a href="#fnref:6" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:7"><p>Belcher, J.; Keddy, P.A.; Catling, P.F.C. (1992). "Alvar vegetation in Canada: a multivariate description at two scales". Canadian Journal of Botany. 70 (6): 1279–1291. doi:10.1139/b92-161. <a href="/wiki/Doi_(identifier)" target="_blank">/wiki/Doi_(identifier)</a> <a href="#fnref:7" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:8"><p>Reschke, Carol; Reid, Ron; Jones, Judith; Feeney, Tom; Potter, Heather (1999). "Conserving Great Lakes Alvars" (PDF). Final Technical Report of the International Alvar Conservation Initiative. Archived from the original (PDF) on 13 October 2008. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20081013124252/http://epa.gov/ecopage/shore/alvars/alvar.pdf" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20081013124252/http://epa.gov/ecopage/shore/alvars/alvar.pdf</a> <a href="#fnref:8" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:9"><p>Catling, P.M.; Brownell, V.R. (1999). "Alvars of the Great Lakes Region". In Anderson, Roger C.; Fralish, James S.; Baskin, Jerry M. (eds.). Savannas, Barrens and Rock Outcrop Communities of North America. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. pp. 375–391. ISBN 978-0521573221. <a href="978-0521573221" target="_blank">978-0521573221</a> <a href="#fnref:9" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:10"><p>"Alvar". Svenska Akademiens ordbok (Dictionary of the Swedish Academy). 1898. Retrieved 11 March 2019. <a href="https://www.saob.se/artikel/?unik=A_0787-0269.CNHo&pz=3" target="_blank">https://www.saob.se/artikel/?unik=A_0787-0269.CNHo&pz=3</a> <a href="#fnref:10" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:11"><p>Hogan, C.M. (21 July 2006). The Stora Alvaret on Öland. Santa Rosa, Ca.: Lumina Technologies. <a href="#fnref:11" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:12"><p>Forslund, Markus, ed. (1999). The Countryside in Eastern Smaland. KalmarSund Tryck. ISBN 978-91-630-7610-7. <a href="978-91-630-7610-7" target="_blank">978-91-630-7610-7</a> <a href="#fnref:12" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:13"><p>"New York: Adirondacks: Gadway Sandstone Pavement Barrens". USA: The Nature Conservancy. Archived from the original on 2011-02-14. Retrieved 24 April 2010. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20110214185716/http://www.nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/states/newyork/preserves/art11877.html" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20110214185716/http://www.nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/states/newyork/preserves/art11877.html</a> <a href="#fnref:13" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:14"><p>Käärt, Ulvar (1 November 2010). "Meie sümbolmaastik loopealsed on hävimas". Eesti Päevaleht (in Estonian). Archived from the original on 22 November 2010. Retrieved 13 December 2016. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101122102356/http://epl.ee/artikkel/586375" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20101122102356/http://epl.ee/artikkel/586375</a> <a href="#fnref:14" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:15"><p>Käärt, Ulvar (1 November 2010). "Meie sümbolmaastik loopealsed on hävimas". Eesti Päevaleht (in Estonian). Archived from the original on 22 November 2010. Retrieved 13 December 2016. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101122102356/http://epl.ee/artikkel/586375" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20101122102356/http://epl.ee/artikkel/586375</a> <a href="#fnref:15" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:16"><p>Ratt, Kadri (14 November 2010). "Haruldased loopealsed on hävinemas". Postimees (in Estonian). Retrieved 13 December 2016. <a href="http://www.postimees.ee/?id=341612" target="_blank">http://www.postimees.ee/?id=341612</a> <a href="#fnref:16" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:17"><p>"Trails". rare Charitable Research Reserve. 2011-12-02. Retrieved 13 December 2016. <a href="http://www.raresites.org/trails/" target="_blank">http://www.raresites.org/trails/</a> <a href="#fnref:17" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:18"><p>"North Shore Alvar State Nature Preserve". Ohio Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved 13 December 2016. <a href="http://naturepreserves.ohiodnr.gov/northshorealvar" target="_blank">http://naturepreserves.ohiodnr.gov/northshorealvar</a> <a href="#fnref:18" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:19"><p>"Stone Road Alvar Nature Reserve". Ontario Nature. Archived from the original on 20 December 2016. Retrieved 13 December 2016. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20161220185536/https://www.ontarionature.org/protect/habitat/stone_road_alvar.php" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20161220185536/https://www.ontarionature.org/protect/habitat/stone_road_alvar.php</a> <a href="#fnref:19" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:20"><p>"Maxton Plains". Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved 13 December 2016. <a href="http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,4570,7-153-31154_31260-54020--,00.html" target="_blank">http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,4570,7-153-31154_31260-54020--,00.html</a> <a href="#fnref:20" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:21"><p>"$5.2-million Globally Rare Habitat in Ontario to be Protected". Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. Archived from the original on 16 August 2007. Retrieved 13 December 2016. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20070816100629/http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/MNR/csb/news/oct19nr99.html" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20070816100629/http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/MNR/csb/news/oct19nr99.html</a> <a href="#fnref:21" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:22"><p>"Quarry Bay Nature Reserve". Ontario Nature. Archived from the original on 20 December 2016. Retrieved 13 December 2016. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20161220185502/https://www.ontarionature.org/protect/habitat/quarry_bay.php" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20161220185502/https://www.ontarionature.org/protect/habitat/quarry_bay.php</a> <a href="#fnref:22" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:23"><p>"Bruce Alvar Nature Reserve". Ontario Nature. Archived from the original on 20 December 2016. Retrieved 13 December 2016. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20161220185200/https://www.ontarionature.org/protect/habitat/bruce_alvar.php" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20161220185200/https://www.ontarionature.org/protect/habitat/bruce_alvar.php</a> <a href="#fnref:23" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:24"><p>"Baptist Harbour Nature Reserve". Ontario Nature. Archived from the original on 20 December 2016. Retrieved 13 December 2016. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20161220185122/https://www.ontarionature.org/protect/habitat/baptist_harbour.php" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20161220185122/https://www.ontarionature.org/protect/habitat/baptist_harbour.php</a> <a href="#fnref:24" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:25"><p>"Come and visit the park!". Friends of Misery Bay. Retrieved 13 December 2016. Friends of Misery Bay is a registered non-profit charity devoted to supporting the Misery Bay Provincial Park in its mandates of protection (especially of its rare alvar habitats)... <a href="http://www.miserybay.ca/" target="_blank">http://www.miserybay.ca/</a> <a href="#fnref:25" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:26"><p>"Red Banks Alvar (No. 332)". Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. 28 November 2016. Retrieved 13 December 2016. <a href="http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/Lands/naturalareas/index.asp?SNA=332" target="_blank">http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/Lands/naturalareas/index.asp?SNA=332</a> <a href="#fnref:26" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:27"><p>"The Carden Plain". The Couchiching Conservancy. Archived from the original on 20 December 2016. Retrieved 13 December 2016. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20161220100240/http://www.couchichingconserv.ca/in-the-field/the-carden-plain/" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20161220100240/http://www.couchichingconserv.ca/in-the-field/the-carden-plain/</a> <a href="#fnref:27" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:28"><p>"New York: Chaumont Barrens Preserve". Arlington, VA: The Nature Conservancy. Retrieved 13 December 2016. <a href="http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/regions/northamerica/unitedstates/newyork/places-preserves/central-chaumont-barrens.xml" target="_blank">http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/regions/northamerica/unitedstates/newyork/places-preserves/central-chaumont-barrens.xml</a> <a href="#fnref:28" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:29"><p>"Indian Point". Ontario Parks. Retrieved 13 December 2016. <a href="https://www.ontarioparks.com/park/indianpoint" target="_blank">https://www.ontarioparks.com/park/indianpoint</a> <a href="#fnref:29" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:30"><p>"Aylmer fears for its forest". Ottawa Citizen. 9 May 2008. Archived from the original on 4 November 2012. Retrieved 13 December 2016. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20121104091616/http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/city/story.html?id=fa6a428a-57da-45bd-8294-1fffa571f628" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20121104091616/http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/city/story.html?id=fa6a428a-57da-45bd-8294-1fffa571f628</a> <a href="#fnref:30" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:31"><p>Hamel, C.; Foster, C. (2004). Surveys of a Rare Alvar-like Plant Community in Eastern Clematis WMA and Comments on Regional Significance. Manitoba Conservation Data Centre. <a href="#fnref:31" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:32"><p>Hamel, C.; Foster, C. (2005). Rare Species Surveys and Stewardship Activities of the Manitoba Conservation Data Centre (PDF) (MS Report 05-01). Winnipeg, Manitoba: Manitoba Conservation Data Centre. Retrieved 13 December 2016. <a href="https://www.gov.mb.ca/conservation/cdc/pdf/rs_surv_stdshp_2004.pdf" target="_blank">https://www.gov.mb.ca/conservation/cdc/pdf/rs_surv_stdshp_2004.pdf</a> <a href="#fnref:32" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:33"><p>Manitoba Alvar Initiative (2012). Alvars in Manitoba: A Description of Their Extent, Characteristics & Land Use (PDF). Winnipeg, Manitoba: Nature Conservancy of Canada. Retrieved 13 December 2016. <a href="http://www.natureconservancy.ca/assets/documents/mb/2012-Alvar-Initiative-FINAL-Report-PUBLIC-DISTRIBUTION-Jan-2013.pdf" target="_blank">http://www.natureconservancy.ca/assets/documents/mb/2012-Alvar-Initiative-FINAL-Report-PUBLIC-DISTRIBUTION-Jan-2013.pdf</a> <a href="#fnref:33" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> </ol>