Ussuriysk taiga: plants, animals, features

The uniqueness of Primorsky Krai is due to the historical peculiarity: during the glacial period this area was untouched by ice. Specific location and peculiar climate formed on its territory a very diverse flora and fauna. Here grow trees and plants, characteristic of the southern and northern latitudes. The animal world and birds also represent different climatic zones. In addition, the presence of relic representatives of flora and fauna is typical for the Far East.

Features

Forests occupy most of Primorye, forming the main landscape. The boundless expanses of the taiga are combined with many mountain rivers and lakes. Especially picturesque is the Ussuri taiga, which got its name from the Ussuri River, which flows into the Amur. It extends along the mountain ranges of Sikhote-Alin. The taiga climate is characterized by a special contrast. Winter, dry and cold, is replaced by a long and cool spring, characterized by temperature changes. Summer in the province is hot and humid, and the autumn is warm and dry.

The severe temper of winter is due to the northern winds, bringing frosts and clear weather. In the summer, on the contrary, the southern winds bring warmth and sunshine from the Pacific. In the summer, tropical cyclones often shake the Ussuri region with typhoons, causing great damage to agriculture and the entire region as a whole.

Plants and trees

Due to the mountain features of the Ussuri taiga in the area, it is possible to distinguish high-altitude zoning of plants. On the lower slopes of the mountains there are broad-leaved forests with Mongolian oak and hazel. Above are coniferous-deciduous forests of fir and cedar. There also grows ash, maple, hornbeam, oak, Amur velvet. On the uppermost slopes of the mountains settled spruce, fir, larch, stone birch and yellow maple. Mountain peaks have little vegetation. They were not affected by the ancient glaciation, and the plants of the Ussuri taiga, preserved since ancient times, acquired a neighborhood with later brethren. Thus, tropical lilies, lotus, manchurian apricot peacefully coexist with firs and spruce, as well as with northern berries: cranberries, blueberries, cranberries.

This region is rich in edible plants, an abundance of various mushrooms, berries, nuts and acorns. About half of the plants, many herbs of the Ussuri taiga have medicinal properties and are widely used in traditional oriental medicine.

A large amount of moisture in the summer contributes to the rapid growth of vegetation. Thanks to a large number of warm days in the province, not only traditional grain crops, but also heat-loving plants ripen: soybeans, rice, grapes. High humidity and an abundance of sunny days ensure rapid growth and maturation of vegetables and fruits.

Animals

A rich animal world is characterized by a mixed character. Taiga animals and birds perfectly coexist with representatives of the tropical zone. Red deer, brown bears, chipmunks, badgers, flying squirrels, hedgehogs, wood grouses and hazel grouses are representatives of the Siberian taiga. Ussuri and Amur tigers, leopards, Himalayan bears, martens are tropical animals of Southeast Asia.

The Ussuri taiga is represented by individuals characteristic only for this region: black bear, spotted deer, rat-like hamster, manchurian hare, raccoon dog, Far Eastern forest cat. In the southern mountainous part of the forest there is a unique animal - goral, which because of the small number is listed in the Red Book.

Animals of the Ussuri taiga are fully provided with a variety of nutritious food: nuts, acorns, berries, mushrooms, shoots, bark.

In the taiga freshwater lakes one can find such a tropical wonder as a Chinese tortoise. Its shell does not contain bone plates, but is covered with skin, which makes the tortoise classified as a soft-skinned animal. She dives well and can be underwater for a long time, fishing. They hunt for a Chinese tortoise because of the particularly delicious and tender meat.

Birds

Among the huge variety of seaside birds there is a significant part of the rare representatives of the feathered world listed in the Red Book. Most rare birds live in forests, on the coasts of rivers and lakes. To protect rare waterfowl and observe them, the Khankai Nature Reserve was formed .

Seaside representatives of birds also have a wide variety of species. Tropical birds in summer withdraw their offspring, and in the autumn fly away to warmer lands. They are replaced by northern birds in the taiga for wintering. Typical for the Ussuri forests are the Manchu pheasant, mandarin duck, broadroot, nightingale whistler, wood wagtail, and many others.

Taiga insects are distinguished by a variety of species that contain bright and unique individuals in their ranks.

Important note

Due to the vastness of the territories, the fauna of the Far Eastern taiga is negligibly disturbed by active human activity. Therefore, the animal world is not only diverse, but also numerous, which makes it possible to actively hunt animals and birds. Skins of red deer, roe deer, deer come for processing, young horns (pantas) are used in pharmaceuticals. Fisheries of the forest and waterfowl are well established, sport hunting is popular.

The untouched Ussuri taiga with its majestic peaks, crystal clear waters can rightly be called a paradise for lovers of water tourism and fishing. The Ussuri River and the smaller rivers that flow into it: Bolshaya Ussurka, Bikin, Armu - are gathered in summer for their tourists to float on their waters. These rivers possess innumerable fish riches: grayling, lenca, taimen, Amur pike. In winter, ice fishing is very popular. Rich fishing is of great economic importance for the region.

Conclusion

The Ussuri taiga continues to preserve the virginity of flora and fauna in the most difficult regions. For preserving and multiplying the flora and fauna in the Far East, reserves have been established. Eleven natural complexes are located in Primorye: Sikhote-Alinsky, Ussuriysky, Morskoy, Kedrovaya Pad and others are distinguished by the uniqueness and special riches and diversity of the flora and fauna of the Ussuri taiga.