South Sakhalin-Kurile mixed forests
Ptichi waterfall, Kunahir Island in the Kuriles
Ecoregion territory (in purple)
Ecoregion territory (in purple)
Ecology
RealmPalearctic
Biometemperate broadleaf and mixed forests
Geography
Area12,432 km2 (4,800 sq mi)
CountryRussia

The South Sakhalin-Kurile mixed forests ecoregion (WWF ID: PA0438) is split between the southwest region of Sakhalin Island, and the southern three islands of the Kurile Islands chain in the Russian Far East. The ecoregion is in the Palearctic realm, with a Humid Continental climate. It covers 12,432 km2 (4,800 sq mi).[1]

Location and description

The Sakhalin Island side of the ecoregion faces the Sea of Japan to the west, and the Okhotsk Sea to the east. Being on the southern end of the island, plant life is denser and more varied. The Kurile Islands side of the ecoregion has high levels of biodiversity, reflecting the islands' position along the meeting of warm and cold sea currents (the Pacific Ocean and Okhotsk Sea, respectively). The resulting richness of marine life attracts large colonies of marine birds. The ecoregion in the Kurils is defined as the southern three islands: Kunashir Island, Iturup, and Shikotan. These islands were connected to the Japanese island of Hokkaido during the most recent glacial period, and unlike the northern two thirds of the Kuriles are not icebound in winter.[1][2][3]

Climate

The region has a Humid continental climate - Hot summer sub-type (Köppen climate classification Dfa), with large seasonal temperature differentials and a hot summer (at least one month averaging over 22 °C (72 °F), and mild winters.[4][5]

Flora and fauna

The area is characterized by high biodiversity because of the relatively mild climate, transition-zone placement, and island location.[3] The flora of the southern Kuriles is closely related to that of Hokkaido, and endemism is low. A dominant floral community in the southern Kuriles is the bamboo thicket. Snow falling on the evergreen bamboo thickets in winter insulate the understory, which is relatively empty but abounding in shrews, mice and other rodents. These animals also thrive in the high-growth thickets, typified by white clover and "Sakhalin buckwheat" (Reynoutrua sachalinensis).[6]

Although plant communities are favorable to rodents, a noteworthy feature of the animal life in the southern Kuriles is the predominance of predator species, such as fox, sable, and bear, which have had to develop broader sources of food, particular marine sources on the coasts. Salmon are abundant in the streams.[6]

Protections

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

This is an IUCN class Ia "strict ecological reserves" (Zapovednik).

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "South Sakhalin-Kurile mixed forests". Ecoregions of the World. GlobalSpecies.org. Retrieved July 23, 2018.
  2. ↑ "PA0438: Russia". World Wildlife Federation. Retrieved July 23, 2018.
  3. 1 2 "IKIP International Kurile Islands Project". University of Washington. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
  4. ↑ Kottek, M., J. Grieser, C. Beck, B. Rudolf, and F. Rubel, 2006. "World Map of Koppen-Geiger Climate Classification Updated" (PDF). Gebrüder Borntraeger 2006. Retrieved September 14, 2019.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  5. ↑ "Dataset - Koppen climate classifications". World Bank. Retrieved September 14, 2019.
  6. 1 2 "Territory of Kurilsky Nature Reserve". Kurilsky Nature Reserve (official site). Retrieved July 24, 2018.
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