Bering tundra explained

Bering Tundra
Map:Ecoregion PA1102.png
Map Size:300
Map Alt:Ecoregion territory (in purple)
Ecozone:Palearctic
Biome:Tundra
Area:474200
Country:Russia
Coordinates:63.75°N 168.75°W

The Bering tundra ecoregion (WWF ID: PA1102) is an ecoregion that covers a portion of northeastern Russia, between the Kolyma Mountains on the west, and the Bering Sea coast to the east. The area is an important stopping place for migratory birds. It has an area of 474227km2.[1] [2]

Location and description

The ecoregion stretches approximately 1,000 km on alignment from southwest-to-northeast, between the Kolyma Mountains on the west, the Bering Sea coast to the east, and Kamchatka peninsula to the south.

Climate

The climate of Koryak is subarctic (Köppen climate classification (Dfc)). This climate is characterised by long cold winters (at least one month averaging below 0C), and short, cool summers (one to three months greater than 10C, but no month averaging above 22C).[3] Mean precipitation is about 358 mm/year. The mean temperature at the center of the ecoregion is -24.1C in January, and 12.2C in July.

Flora and fauna

The ecoregion supports flora and fauna typical of forest-tundra. Low-lying areas may feature stunted trees and willow and alder on floodplains. Elsewhere the ground cover is grasses, heaths, and members of the families Asteraceae, Ranunculaceae, and Rosaceae. Mosses and lichens take over at higher elevations. Species diversity is relatively low due to the harsh climate and the isolation of the area since glacial times. Large mammals the include the East Siberian brown bear, the Anadyr fox, and some bighorn sheep in the highlands. Common smaller mammals include the East Siberian ermine and the American mink. Large colonies of migrating birds rest or nest in the area every summer and autumn. Numbers of over 700,000 individuals and 200 species have been recorded in the ecoregion.[4]

Protections

There is at least one significant nationally protected area in this ecoregion, the Koryak Nature Reserve, on the northeastern region of Kamchatka, stretching from mountains to the coast. A 2017 estimate approximated that 43,231 square kilometers of the region are included in protected areas.[5]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Bering tundra. GlobalSpecies.org. en. November 20, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181215122118/https://www.globalspecies.org/ecoregions/display/PA1102. December 15, 2018. dead.
  2. Web site: Bering tundra. World Wildlife Federation. en. November 20, 2018.
  3. Web site: Climate of 63.75 Latitude, 168.75 Longitude. GloalSpecies.org. March 10, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160408232250/http://globalspecies.org/weather_stations/climate/698/308. April 8, 2016. dead.
  4. Web site: Bering tundra . Encyclopedia of Earth . May 20, 2016 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20100308074343/http://www.nationalgeographic.com/wildworld/profiles/terrestrial/pa/pa1102.html . March 8, 2010 .
  5. Dinerstein. Eric.

    de:Eric Dinerstein

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