#ARCTIC. #SIBERIA. THIS IS TAIMYR. Scientists from the Forest Institute named after V. N. Sukachev developed a digital map of the Taimyr peninsula vegetation cover’s main types. Using modern remote sensing and GIS technologies, biologists mapped the tundra and analyzed climatic, biotic and anthropogenic factors.
The data obtained by scientists indicates an increase in the productivity of the vegetation cover of Taimyr, including the territory along the Arctic coast. Greening the tundra helps expand the food supply of reindeer, and also confirms the ability of plants to regenerate themselves.
In addition, the study recorded a reduction in the area of water bodies in Taimyr by six percent over the past 20 years, which indicates a change in the hydrological regime in the Arctic zone under the influence of global warming.
It should be noted that the Taimyr peninsula is the summer migration area for the main part of the wild reindeer population. The main population of domestic reindeer is located in Western Taimyr – about 120 thousand individuals. Changes in the productivity of the tundra vegetation cover, the main food supply of these animals, temperature and water regimes affect the population state, which will ultimately affect the number of deer as the main species of economic animal of the North peoples.
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Text: Polina Bardik, Photo: Nikolay Shchipko
