Mountain forests of Russia: flora and fauna

2024 Author: Henry Conors | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-12 02:45

Mountain forests in Russia are about 45% of the territory of the forest fund of the state as a whole. Their main feature is zoning in a vertical position, characterized by a typical variety of rocks. Their composition varies by location.

Important importance of areas with mountains

This ecosystem has a special meaning. Mountain forests take part in the formation of the climate of various regions of the state, because they:

• stabilize the circulation of air masses;
• affect rainfall;
• contribute to the weakening of wind power.

During the illegal destruction of such forests, special situations were observed when strong winds adversely affected ecosystems. Mountain forests are of no small importance in delaying the melting of precipitation, which is why the balanced nutrition of rivers and other water bodies in the area is regulated.

The water supply of residential areas, industrial structures, agricultural lands and territories also depends on it.that belong to this territory.

Detrimental impact of cutting down trees

In the resort-mountainous areas of the forest, measures are needed to protect the healing mineral springs. Unregulated deforestation will invariably lead to disaster.

Mineralnye Vody in the Caucasus should be mentioned as an example. At the end of the 19th century, there were about 310,000 hectares of broad-leaved forests of various tree species in the area. But before the revolution, because of the desire of the population to get good and easy money, mass cutting of trees began. Not a single person then thought about the terrible results. As a result, the rivers became shallow, and today the eminent spring gives about 4,000 liters daily instead of 30,000 liters. Therefore, in Pyatigorsk, due to this situation, the flow rate of the source decreased by more than 20 times.

Struggle to destroy green spaces

Mountain forests are doing a pretty good job of fighting erosion. They affect the water content in the soil and contribute to the uniform nature of the runoff on the surface, which, without thickets, will destroy the upper layers of the soil. In addition, mountain forests, due to their extensive root system, are necessary for strengthening when:

• falling stones;
• various collapses.

For rocky areas near residential areas, such forests should:

• be an obstacle to avalanches that destroy everything in their path;
• calm the blizzards.

A similar protective function is performed by mountain forests in areas where roads are locatedfor trains and cars, as well as industrial and agricultural buildings.

Forests of various climatic types

Many forests are located in the Asian part of Russia. They are distributed in various climatic zones, starting from the subtropics of Transcaucasia, ending with the tundra of Siberia and the Northern Urals. As a rule, in the Far East there are mountain taiga forests. Conifers are often common in them. But you can also find deciduous ones.

In the southwestern side of the Far East, along with fir and spruce forests, there are also forest areas with broad-leaved representatives. Sometimes you can find mountain spruce forests, usually on the slopes. However, large areas are covered with juniper and pistachio trees. And these are the breeds that do not need moisture. In areas that are more or less moist, you can see nuts and wild apple trees. Central Asia is characterized by a dry climate. Here, forests regulate the thawing process and also help irrigate the soil.

The role of breeds in the Caucasus

This area is characterized by a significant typical composition of forests on the mountains. As a rule, there are not only deciduous and coniferous trees, but also fruit trees. Widespread are endemic varieties that belong only to the Caucasus. Often there are relic varieties, for example, persimmon.

On the territory there are a large number of institutions for relaxation, he alth resorts and camp sites. Berries are harvested here, medicinal plants are collected.

Generositynature

Birds of mountain forests in Russia - nutcracker, owl, partridge, woodpecker. Do not forget that domestic forests are rich and diverse in terms of fauna.

The greatest abundance of animals is observed in the south of the country. The most prominent representatives of the fauna of mountain broad-leaved forests are: fox, steppe wolf, gray partridge, lark, steppe eagle.

roe deer, black polecat.

And the Siberian taiga has become home to such fauna as sable, forest lemming, Altai mole, dark-toothed, tiny and flat-headed shrews. Here you can stumble upon sable, chipmunk, squirrel, bear, marten, wolverine.

In the north of the country, in the forests, the forest deer is considered the king of fauna, besides it, arctic foxes, owls and lemmings live here.