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Our Field Ecology Center published more than 180 methodical materials for nature studies. Some of them are in English:
Mobile educational application: Ecological Field Studies Techniques on Play.Google Mobile field guide Birds of North America: Songs and Calls Decoys on Play.Google WILD FLOWERS OF RUSSIA Field Identification Guide on Play.Google Mobile field guide Birds of Russia on Play.Google Mobile field guide Birds of Russia Songs, Calls and Voices on Play.Google Mobile field guide Birds of Europe Songs, Calls and Voices on Play.Google Mobile field guide Birds of Europe Songs, Calls and Voices on Play.Google
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Biomes and Regions of Northern Eurasia

Lake Baikal

<<< Central Asia and Kazakhstan: Mountains and People: Past, Present, and Future | Biomes & Regions Index | Geophysical Features of Lake Baikal and its Catchment >>>

Introduction

Lake Baikal, situated in south-eastern Siberia, has long been recognized as one of the world's most remarkable fresh-water ecosystems, especially in terms of its age, depth, and volume, its uninterrupted sedimentary record and the high degree of endemism that exists within the lake. Lake Baikal is the world's deepest lake (1642 m, Lake Baikal Map, 1992) and contains the world's largest volume of surface fresh water (some 20 per cent of global resources; Wetzel, 1983). Another major feature that sets Lake Baikal apart from other deep lakes is that its entire water column is saturated throughout with oxygen. This is due to regular renewal of the deep waters every spring and autumn (Weiss et al., 1991; Shimaraev et al., 1994) and results in the oxidation of even the deepest sediment surfaces (Leibovich, 1983; Martin et al, 1998). More importantly, this oxygenation supports an extensive, and almost wholly, endemic deep-water fauna (Fryer, 1991). To date, over 2500 plant and animal species have been documented in Baikal, of which over 75 per cent are believed to be endemic. The lake is a major biodiversity hotspot, and was declared a World Heritage Site in 1996.

In this chapter, we will focus on the aspects of Baikal that make it a key site for scientific study: hydrological and chemical properties; evolution and biodiversity; paleoclimate history (determined from sedimentary records); and potential threats to the ecosystem.

<<< Central Asia and Kazakhstan: Mountains and People: Past, Present, and Future | Biomes & Regions Index | Geophysical Features of Lake Baikal and its Catchment >>>

 

 


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