West Siberian broadleaf and mixed forests

Ecoregion: West Siberian broadleaf and mixed forests
300px Bugotak Hills Protected Area, Novosibirsk Oblast
Ecoregion territory (in purple) Ecoregion territory (in purple)
Ecology
Ecozone	Palearctic
Biome	Temperate Broadleaf and Mixed Forests
Geography
Area	223,516 km2 (86,300 sq mi)
Countries	Russia

The West Siberian broadleaf and mixed forests (also 'Western Siberian Hemiboreal forest') ecoregion (WWF ID:PA0444) is a thin band of mixed forest along the southernmost edge of the taiga (coniferous forests) in Western Siberia, just north of the forest-steppe region and south of the West Siberian taiga. The biodiversity of the zone is the highest in Siberia, due to its transitional position between many different ecoregions. The area acts as a long corridor for migration of animals along the east-west axis. The ecoregion is in the Palearctic ecozone, with a Humid Continental climate. It covers 223,516 km² (86,300 sq mi).

Location and description

The ecoregion is an east-west strip, stretching 2,000 kilometres (1,200 mi) from Chelyabinsk in the west to Krasnoyarsk in the east. The zone is only 150 kilometres (93 mi) from north to south. The Ob River and Irtysh River]], and tributaries of those rivers, cross the region from south to north. The southeast of the region breaks up into low mountains.

Climate

The region has a Humid continental climate (cool summer sub-type). The cool summer subtype is characterized by mild summers (no month averaging over 22 C), cold winters and less precipitation than the hot summer sub-type. Mean temperatures range from -24° C (January) to +25° C (August). Average annual precipitation is 390 mm.

Climate at 56.25 N, 76.75 E
Climate chart (explanation)
J F M A M J J A S O N D     0.8     6 −10     0.5     9 −9     0.5     23 3     0.8     43 27     1.2     62 40     2     74 51     2.7     77 56     2.4     71 51     1.4     60 41     1.3     43 28     1.1     23 9     0.9     10 −6 Average max. and min. temperatures in °F Precipitation totals in inches Source: GlobalSpecies.org
Metric conversion J F M A M J J A S O N D     20     −15 −24     13     −13 −23     13     −5 −16     20     6 −3     30     17 4     51     23 11     69     25 13     61     22 11     36     16 5     33     6 −2     28     −5 −13     23     −12 −21 Average max. and min. temperatures in °C Precipitation totals in mm

Flora and fauna

The forests of the region are dominated by Siberian fir (Abies sibirica), Siberian spruce (Picea obovata), Siberian pine (Pinus sibirica), Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris), and small-leafed Linden (Tilia cordata). Recently, grassy areas have been covered by more Silver birch (Betula pendula) and Aspen (Populus tremula). About 20 percent of the region is swamp, most of which are eutropic. The canopy in these areas is White birch (Betula alba).

Protections

There are no large federally protected areas in the region, and has been heavily affected by human activities.

See also

• List of ecoregions in Russia