Kola Peninsula tundra explained

Kola Peninsula tundra
Map:Kola peninsula tundra (PA1106) map.gif
Map Size:300
Map Alt:Ecoregion territory (in red)
Ecozone:Palearctic
Biome:Tundra
Area:58793
Country:Russia
Country1:Norway
Coordinates:68.25°N 35.75°W

The Kola Peninsula tundra ecoregion (WWF ID: PA1106) is an ecoregion that covers the northeastern half of the Kola Peninsula, along the coast of the White Sea, a marginal sea of the Arctic Ocean. The maritime effects of the White Sea create a milder climate than would be expected for a region of this latitude. It is in the Palearctic realm, and the tundra biome. It has an area of 58793km2.[1] [2] [3]

Location and description

The northernmost segments of this ecoregion are on the northern coast of Fennoscandia, facing the Barents Sea. The more southerly regions are the northeastern edge of the Kola Peninsula, facing the White Sea.

Climate

The region has a Humid continental climate - cool summer subtype (Koppen classification Dfc). This climate is characterized by high variation in temperature, both daily and seasonally; with long, cold winters and short, cool summers with no averaging over 22C. Mean precipitation is about 512 mm/year. The mean temperature at the center of the ecoregion is -12.2C in January, and 12.7C in July.[4]

Flora and fauna

The cold climate and northerly latitude puts much of the region above the arctic treeline, with trees limited or sparse. The flora is primarily mosses, lichens and shrubs. Among the shrubs are the dwarf birch (Betula nana) and the Camemoro (Rubus chamaemorus). Large mammals of the area include herds of reindeer, which migrate into the tundra in Spring from the boreal forests to the south.

Protections

Over 7% of the ecoregion is in an officially protected area, including all or a portion of:

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Kola Peninsula tundra. World Wildlife Federation. en. November 20, 2018.
  2. Web site: Kola Peninsula tundra. Digital Observatory for Protected Areas. en. October 19, 2020.
  3. Web site: Kola Peninsula tundra. Encyclopedia of the Earth. en. October 19, 2020.
  4. Web site: Climate Data for Latitude 68.25 Longitude 35.75. GlobalSpecies.org. en. October 20, 2018. December 19, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181219182301/https://www.globalspecies.org/weather_stations/climate/432/317. dead.