Ussuri broadleaf and mixed forests

The Ussuri broadleaf and mixed forests ecoregion (WWF ID:PA0443) covers a mountainous areas above the lower Amur River and Ussuri River in Primorsky Krai and Khabarovsk Krai in the Russian Far East. The ecoregion is in the Palearctic realm, with a Humid Continental climate. It covers 187,357 km2 (72,339 sq mi).[1]

Ecoregion: Ussuri broadleaf and mixed forests
Bikin River Valley, Primorsky Krai
Ecoregion territory (in purple)
Ecology
RealmPalearctic
Biometemperate broadleaf and mixed forests
Geography
Area223,516 km2 (86,300 sq mi)
CountriesRussia

Location and description

The ecoregion covers a "Z" shaped area in which the northern section is a 400 km band of forest north of Khabarovsk parallel to the Amur River (which is 20-30 km to the south), the vertical band of which parallels the Ussuri River (which is 20-30 km to the west) on the western slopes of the Sikhote-Alin Mountains, and the base of which is the eastern slope of the Sikhote-Alin in Primorsky Krai.[1][2]

Climate

The region has a Humid continental, cool summer climate (Koppen classification (Dwb)). This climate is characterized by high variation in temperature, both daily and seasonally; with dry winters and cool summers.[3]

Climate at 46.75 N, 135.25 E
Climate chart (explanation)
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
 
 
0.5
 
 
6
−11
 
 
0.5
 
 
14
−5
 
 
0.9
 
 
28
10
 
 
1.6
 
 
47
28
 
 
2.7
 
 
59
40
 
 
3.5
 
 
68
50
 
 
5.1
 
 
74
58
 
 
5.3
 
 
74
58
 
 
3.8
 
 
66
47
 
 
2.1
 
 
51
32
 
 
1.2
 
 
29
12
 
 
0.7
 
 
11
−5
Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
Precipitation totals in inches
Source: GlobalSpecies.org[4]

Flora and fauna

The Ussuri forests are the most biologically diverse in northern Asia.[2] The maritime influence moderates the climate, precipitation is high enough to support rich forests, and the region is a boundary area between mountains, river flat lands, and sea coast.[5][6]

The forests of the region are dominated by Spruce (Picea ajanensis), Dahurian larch (Larix gmelinii), Korean pine (Pinus koraiensis), Mongolian oak (Quercus mongolica), and Japanese white birch (Betula platyphylla).[6]

Protections

Notable protected areas of the Russian Federation in the ecoregion include:

These are all IUCN class Ia "strict ecological reserves" (zapovedniks).

See also

References
  1. "Ussuri broadleaf and mixed forests". Ecoregions of the World. GlobalSpecies.org. Retrieved June 30, 2018.
  2. "Eastern Asia: Eastern Russia". World Wildlife Federation. Retrieved July 3, 2018.
  3. "Climate - Ussuri broadleaf and mixed forests". Global Species - Ecoregions. Global Species. Retrieved December 13, 2018.
  4. "Climate, 46.75/135.25". GlobalSpecies.org. Retrieved June 29, 2018.
  5. "Vegetation comparison between the Russian Far East and the Taisetsu Mountains, Central Hokkaido, northern Japan" (PDF). Botanica Pacifica. A journal of plant science and conservation. 2016. Retrieved July 4, 2018.
  6. "Forest Vegetation of Easternmost Russia (Russian Far East)". Penn State University. CiteSeerX 10.1.1.624.5490. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
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