Высотная поясность уральских гор: Высотная поясность — онлайн справочник для студентов

К уточнению параметров высотной поясности и верхней границы леса в среднегорьях Южного Урала

К УТОЧНЕНИЮ ПАРАМЕТРОВ ВЫСОТНОЙ ПОЯСНОСТИ И ВЕРХНЕЙ ГРАНИЦЫ ЛЕСА В СРЕДНЕГОРЬЯХ ЮЖНОГО УРАЛА

TO SPECIFICATION OF PARAMETERS OF HIGH-RISE BELTS AND THE TOP BORDER OF WOOD IN AVERAGE HIGH MOUNTAINS OF SOUTHERN URAL

 

В.М. Павлейчик

Pavleychik

Федеральное государственное бюджетное учреждение науки Институт степи Уральского отделения Российской академии наук

(Россия,  460000, г. Оренбург, ул. Пионерская, 11)

Institute of Steppe of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences

( Russia, 460000, Orenburg, Pionerskaya st., 11, Этот адрес электронной почты защищён от спам-ботов. У вас должен быть включен JavaScript для просмотра.)

 

Приведены сведения о высотных вариациях верхней границы редколесий в  горах Южного Урала. Выявлено, что средние значения высоты данной границы находятся в пределах 1200-1300 м независимо от экспозиционного и циркуляционного положения склонов. Значительную роль в положении границы имеет уклон поверхности и связанные с этим показателем геодинамические и экотопические условия.

The about high-rise variations of the top border of forests in Southern Ural’s mountains are resulted. It is revealed that average values of height of the given border are in limits of 1200-1300 m irrespective of exposition and circulating position of slopes. A considerable role for border position the bias of a surface and connected with this indicator geodynamic and ecotopical has conditions. 

Рельеф является важнейшим фактором дифференциации ландшафтной оболочки, наиболее отчетливо и разнообразно проявленным в горных областях и прилегающих к ним территориям. Ландшафты гор образуют «верхний этаж» парадинамических систем и связаны с прилегающими (вмещающими) зональными ландшафтами множественными связями геодинамического и экологического характера.

Южный Урал является частью протяженной Уральской горной страны и простирается в пределах природных зон лесостепей и степей. Возвышенное барьерно-циркуляционное положение, определяющее повышенное увлажнение территории, оказывает существенное влияние на природно-зональную организацию ландшафтов и состав их биотических компонентов. Сложившиеся природные условия способствуют формированию своеобразных горных ландшафтов-аналогов, частично соответствующих прилегающим и территориально отдаленным (в районах высотной поясности) зональным ландшафтам. В результате наблюдается: а) практически неразрывное «горное» продолжение лесной зоны на юг протяженностью 600-650 км; б) в южной части – контрастное сочленение горных лесов и прилегающих предгорных степных равнин, выраженное в неотчетливой выраженности (практически отсутствии) лесостепной зоны. Таковы наиболее общие черты влияния возвышенного рельефа Южного Урала на дифференциацию природной зональности степей и лесостепей Евразии.

Длительное время одним из важнейших инструментов географов для выявления пространственных закономерностей развития процессов и явлений была топографическая карта. В последние десятилетия, в связи с развитием технологий дистанционного зондирования, специалисты получили возможность разнообразнейшей интерпретации информации, содержащейся в космических снимках. Проведению исследований во многом способствует развитие геоинформационных технологий хранения, обработки и анализа космоснимков и политика открытости различных интернет-ресурсов.

Выделение типов растительного покрова в качестве физиономического показателя ландшафтов широко применяется в географии при разработке схем районирования и других аналитических построений, связанных с изучением проявлений природной зональности. В данном исследовании нами ставилась задача уточнения высотных параметров вертикальной поясности в горах Южного Урала посредством графического отображения положения границы между лесопокрытой поверхностью (подгольцовым поясом с еловыми и пихтово-еловыми редколесьями и горными лугами) и практически безлесной горной травяно-моховой тундрой.

Осуществление подобного анализа, идентификация и достоверное отображение этих границ осуществлялось на основе материалов дистанционного зондирования. Нами в качестве исходных данных были использованы космические снимки Landsat с уточнением границ по снимкам среднего и высокого разрешения в открытых геоинформационных ресурсах (Google Earth, СканЭкс и др.). Верхняя граница редколесий проводилась по переходу постоянного неразрывного лесного покрова в подгольцовом поясе к травянистым (горно-тундровым) сообществам гольцов. Характер произрастания древесных видов визуально определялся и уточнялся на склонах и нагорных террасах г. Иремель.

Высотная поясность, как закономерное отражение высотной дифференциации ландшафтов, формируется в определенных геоморфологических и погодно-климатических условиях и идентифицируется по характеру (типу) почвенно-растительного покрова. Наиболее полные литературные сведения о структуре растительного покрова и флоры высотных поясов Урала содержатся в публикациях П.Л. Горчаковского. В частности, автор указывает, что «положение верхней границы леса сильно варьирует в зависимости от географической широты местности, крутизны и экспозиции склонов, массивности гор и других условий» [2, с.29], а «верхний предел горнолесного пояса в наиболее возвышенной части Южного Урала совпадает с изогипсами 1000-1100 м» [2, с.44]. Такие же высотные параметры указывает А.А. Макунина [4], замечая при этом незначительную высотную амплитуду подошвы гольцовых ландшафтов (200-300 м) на протяжении всего Урала, от 800 м на севере до 1000-1100 м на юге.

Проявления высотной поясности на Южном Урале отмечаются исключительно в среднегорьях, занимающих центральную водораздельную полосу, протягивающуюся от северной границы физико-географической области (хр. Таганай) примерно до широты Верхнего Авзяна (хр. Шатак). Наиболее отчетливо и в полной мере (включая пояс горной тундры) высотная смена природных зон-аналогов наблюдается лишь на массивах Ямантау и Иремель, на возвышенных участках хребтов Нары-Зигальга, Нургуш, Машак и Кумардак (рисунок 1).

Рисунок 1. Схема расположения массивов Южного Урала с проявлением высотной поясности

Относительно постоянные значения исследуемого параметра для всех без исключения горных массивов Южного Урала являются несомненным подтверждением определяющего значения показателей высоты местности при формировании высотной поясности. По нашим данным, высоты верхней границы редколесий, как правило, не опускаются ниже отметки 1100 м и не превышают 1400 м, а средние значения находятся в пределах 1200-1300 м.

В данной статье более подробно приведены результаты исследований по уточнению высотного положения верхней границы леса на горе Иремель и хребте Зигальга (рисунок 2). Выявлено, что основным фактором колебания высотного положения границы в рамках этой амплитуды является уклон поверхности. Наибольшая частота совпадений границы редколесий со средними значениями высот наблюдается при уклонах поверхности 15-25°. При увеличении уклона от этих значений граница смещается вниз по склону, опускаясь до 1050-1150 м. Подобным уклонам, как правило, соответствуют неблагоприятные лесорастительные условия – крупноглыбовые шлейфы склонов (курумы и осыпи) и выходы коренных пород на замыкании гряд.

Слабопокатые участки, занимающие седловины и нагорные террасы, практически лишены влияния склоновых процессов, экспозиционных и циркуляционных факторов. Поэтому сформировавшиеся на этих локальных участках ландшафты наиболее полно соответствуют климатическим условиям высотных поясов. Здесь подошва гольцового пояса находится на максимальных высотных уровнях, приближаясь к 1400 м.

Гипотетически можно предположить зависимость высотного положения верхней границы леса от экспозиционных различий склонов. Если для одиночных массивов колебания высот верхней границы редколесий обусловлены преимущественно показателями уклонов поверхности, то на среднегорных хребтах важное значение должны иметь также экспозиционные различия склонов и связанные с ними барьерные свойства относительно переноса воздушных масс. Барьерные циркуляционные функции горных и предгорных ландшафтов, в т.ч. и на примере Южного Урала, подробно рассмотрены в работах Ф.А. Максютова [3].

Из всех среднегорных хребтов Южного Урала наиболее заметные различия в положении верхней границы редколесий наблюдаются на наиболее возвышенных участках краевых (северо-западных) хребтов Нары-Зигальга. Эти различия демонстрирует график высот верхней границы редколесий на хр. Зигальга (рисунок 2). При общих средних значениях в 1225 м, средние показатели высоты для склона северо-западной ориентации составляют 1246 м, а юго-восточной – 1187 м.

Вместе с тем данной участок хребта отчетливо демонстрирует асимметричность склонов – северо-западный склон крутой (порядка 20-30°), а юго-восточный в районе перехода лесопокрытой площади к горно-тундровым участкам представляет собой покатую (5-10°) террасовидную поверхность, занятую редколесьями.

Рисунок 2. Параметры высотных вариаций верхней границы лесного покрова на горе Иремель и хребте Зигальга

Таким образом, различие в 60 м между границей «лес – горная тундра» на склонах различных экспозиций может быть объяснено собственно неодинаковыми уклонами поверхностей. Поэтому предполагаемый тезис о более благоприятных лесорастительных условиях (по положению верхней границы леса) на склонах западной наветренной экспозиции считаем недоказанным. Сложность выбора представительного участка для этих целей объясняется отсутствием достаточного числа горных массивов с полным профилем высотной поясности и их морфологическим разнообразием.

Современный рельеф южно-уральских среднегорий несет черты тектонических преобразований и палеоклиматических циклов, происходивших в плейстоцен-голоценовое время. Нагорные террасы являются итогом морозного выветривания и солифлюкции в условиях гольцового пояса, проявляемых и в настоящее время. Реликты плейстоценовых гольцовых террас можно наблюдать в современных лесных условиях [1]. На основе анализа структуры почвенного покрова А.А. Макунина [4] делает сходные выводы о динамичности положения гольцовых ландшафтов: «в недалеком прошлом они занимали более широкие пространства и были развиты в низкогорьях и, возможно, в высоких предгорьях». Таким образом идентификация его высотного положения имеет важное значение в познании современного морфогенеза ландшафтов.

Изучение границ и экотонных зон между смежными ландшафтами представляет собой не только общетеоретический интерес. Результаты подобных исследований могут служить одним из критериев оценки устойчивости ландшафтов для анализа взаимосвязей между смежными геосистемами. Особенно актуальны эти вопросы на фоне рассуждений об эволюции ландшафтов в свете возможных тенденций к изменению природно-климатических условий на общепланетарном и региональном уровнях.

Проведенные исследования являются одним из направлений в реализации тематики лаборатории ландшафтного разнообразия и заповедного дела ИС УрО РАН «Современное состояние, тенденции развития и параметры экологической устойчивости геосистем Заволжско-Уральского региона» по программе №13 ОНЗ РАН. 

СПИСОК ЛИТЕРАТУРЫ:

1. Башенина Н.В. Происхождение рельефа Южного Урала. М: ОГИЗ, 1948. 231 с.
2. Горчаковский П.Л. Флора и растительность высокогорий Урала / Труды Ин-та биологии, В ып.48. Свердловск: Урал. филиал АН СССР, 1966. 270 с.
3. Максютов Ф.А. Барьерные ландшафты СССР. Саратов: изд-во Сарат. ун-та, 1981. 138 с.
4. Макунина А.А. Ландшафты Урала. М: Моск. ун-т., 1974. 158 с.

90000 What Is Altitudinal Zonation In Ecology? 90001 90002 By Maureen Shisia on November 14 2017 in Environment 90003 90004 Vegetation transition through altitudinal zones of the slopes of the Himalayan mountains.90005 90002 First, altitudinal zonation occurs in hilly regions. It refers to the natural layering of different ecosystems that occur at dissimilar heights as a result of diverse environments due to the differing heights. Factors like temperature, soil composition, humidity, solar radiation, altitude, type of rocks, and disturbance frequency (like fire and monsoons) are responsible for the determination and occurrence of the zones.The zones are equipped to support several species of vegetation and animals. Alexander von Humboldt was the scientist who first theorized the concept of altitudinal zonation after noticing that temperature drops with increasing height. Basically, the zones are ecosystems that are suited to a particular species. 90003 90008 Factors Influencing Altitudinal Zonation 90009 90008 Temperature 90009 90002 It is common knowledge that an increase in height comes with a reduction in temperature.Most vegetation relies on high temperature to thrive. Consequently, varying temperatures will have a direct impact on the length of time that plants can grow. Temperatures that are too high or two low support very few species of plants. The most vegetation is found in the tropical regions. Most of the huge coniferous and deciduous trees grow there. Zones with similar conditions will have bigger vegetation and vice versa. 90003 90008 Humidity 90009 90002 Humidity refers to the amount of water in the atmosphere.Things like the levels of evapotranspiration and precipitation fall here. Precipitation accounts for the highest quantity of humidity in the atmosphere. As such, precipitation is most important in determining zonation. As warm moist air rises up the mountain side, it reaches a height where it condenses and forms precipitation like rain. The middle parts of the mountain receive the highest amount of rainfall. As such, most flora and fauna is located there as opposed to other regions. Higher regions of the mountain experience very low temperatures.Vegetation found there has to be specially adapted to the extreme temperatures. Same applies to the lower and hotter regions. 90003 90008 Soil Composition 90009 90002 The type of soil in a zone will obviously affect the type and size of vegetation living there. It is also common knowledge that most plants will thrive in zones with richer soils. Nutrients come from minerals in rocks and decaying vegetation or animals.Highly fertile soil means richer plant and animal life. Example, the zones in tropical areas have fewer plant species on the ground level due to undergrowth and dead leaves. 90003 90008 Biological Factors 90009 90002 This refers to simple Darwinism. Stronger species will kill weaker ones.The weaker ones can either adapt or migrate. Example, the adaptation of weaker trees by growing around the trunks of bigger ones. It is crucial to remember that this factor is difficult to prove but academicians agree that it’s a factor in zonation. 90003 90008 Solar Radiation 90009 90002 Most plants rely on the light from the sun to make food for their survival. Differing levels of sunlight lead to the creation of zones on the mountainside.90003 90008 Massenerhebung Effect 90009 90002 This means that the physical location of the mountain should be taken into account while attempting to determine zonation. The effect expects that zonation on lower mountains may mirror those of higher mountains with the zonation belts occurring at equally lower heights.90003 .90000 90001 The Ural Mountains 90002 90003 90004 90005 90006 Please put an active hyperlink to our site (www.rusnature.info) when you copy the materials from this page 90007 90008 90005 90006 Biomes and Regions of Northern Eurasia 90007 90008 90005 The Mountains of Northern Russia 90008 90005 <<< The Khibin Mountains | 90006 Biomes & Regions Index 90007 | The Putorana Plateau >>> 90008 90005 90006 The Ural Mountains 90007 90008 90023 Contrary to a popular belief amongst the politicians that Europe ends in Germany, it is in fact the Ural mountains that separate Europe and Asia.The Urals are a nearly linear range about 3000 km long and 100-400 km wide that extends from the Arctic to Kazakhstan. Over this vast expanse five segments are distinguished: the Polar and Cis-Polar Urals; the northern, middle, and southern Urals; and the Kazakh Urals including the Mugodzhars (Figure 13.2). 90008 90005 90008 90005 Fig. 13.2 Sketch map of the Urals 90008 90023 In the north, the folded structures disappear underneath the Barents Sea and in the south under the sediments of the Tarim Plate.In terms of its tectonics and geology, the Urals are divided into a series of longitudinal megazones which have developed along the modern eastern margin of the East European plain (see Figure 1.7). The western zones are traced along the entire length of the mountains while the eastern zones disappear under the Mesozoic-Cenozoic sediments of the West Siberian platform north of the middle Urals and the eastern margin is marked by the prominent horsts in which the crystalline basement has been uplifted.In terms of orography, the Ural mountains consist of a few parallel ridges with low to medium heights. The highest summit, Mount Narodnaya in the Cis-Polar Urals, reaches 1894 m. 90008 90023 This section concentrates on four aspects of the Urals geography: orogeny, the Quaternary history, contemporary climate, and vegetation. But equally important is a long history of human transformation of its natural environment. Settled in the late 16th century, the Urals are one of the oldest industrial regions in Russia whose development began under the reign of Peter the Great in the 18th century.It quickly became the greatest centre of heavy industry in the Russian Empire, specializing in the production of iron and copper. Marginalized throughout the 19th century by the growing coal and metal-producing areas in southern European Russia and the Ukraine, the Urals were redeveloped in the 1930s in the course of a massive transfer of heavy industry to the east. The major national metalworks were established in the cities of Magnitogorsk, Yekaterinburg (then Sverdlovsk), Chelyabinsk, and Perm.Positioned away from the borders, the Urals accommodates major nuclear research and development centres and have been a site for the world’s most severe nuclear accidents. These issues are discussed below. 90008 90023 90006 Orogeny and Environmental History 90007 90008 90023 The Ural mountains are the oldest and the richest mining region in Russia and their structure and geology have been a subject of research for many years. A brief historical account of the evolution of ideas, which reflects the general development of tectonic concepts, is provided by Puchkov (1997).Until the 1970s, the Urals were regarded as an exemplary geosyncline while with the development of ideas on plate tectonics it was proposed that the Urals represent a closed Paleozoic ocean (Hamilton, 1970; Ivanovetal, 1975; Peiveet al., 1977; Zonenshain et al., 1984). Subsequently, the formation of the Urals was viewed as a plate tectonic framework and this is now well established (Zonenshain et al, 1990; Puchkov, 1993, 1997). 90008 90023 The Urals were formed by the collision between the East European platform and the Siberian Plate and related microblocks and volcanic arcs in the late Paleozoic which lasted for approximately 90 million years (Ma) (Table 13.1). 90008 90005 90008 90005 Table 13.1 The main events of the Paleozoic orogeny 90008 90023 The continental western part of the Urals and the island arc complexes in the east are separated by the Main Uralian fault which forms a continental-scale lithospheric boundary and a major topographic divide (Figure 13.2). The western Urals consist mainly of the folded sedimentary strata of the East European platform while the eastern flank consists of volcanic and deep-sea deposits.The latter have been thrust westwards creating a well-pronounced asymmetry between the gentle western and steep eastern macro-slopes. Together with the Appalachian, Caledonian, and Variscan orogens, the Urals were one of the major zones of continental convergence that contributed to the formation of the Pangaean supercontinent. However, in contrast to other mountains of this age, the Urals were not significantly remobilized after the Jurassic and remain the best preseved example of the collisional Paleozoic orogeny.90008 90023 The post-Paleozoic development of the Urals, reviewed by Puchkov (1997), included three major stages. Tectonic activity took place in the middle Jurassic when fold and thrust deformation, which was most intense in the north, led to the formation of the Pay-Khoy Novaya Zemlya fold belt which did not exist earlier. This resulted from the direct convergence between the East European and Siberian continents, which being integral parts of Pangaea, could still change their relative positions.During a long tectonic pause between the end of the Jurassic and late Paleogene, the Urals were eroded, turned into low hills, and partially a lowland ingressed by the sea. In the late Oligocene the mountains started to grow again, the process which is still continuing, resulting probably from the intracontinental deformation. 90008 90023 During the Quaternary, the northern part of the Urals was repeatedly glaciated. The ice sheet glacia-tion developed in the region in the early and middle Pleistocene, although from the available evidence it is impossible to establish whether the glacial centre was located in the Urals in the early Pleistocene.In the late Pleistocene, the mountains of the Polar Urals served as a barrier to the ice advancing from the Arctic, dividing it into two lobes. In contrast to the more extensive middle Pleistocene glaciation, the late Pleistocene (Valday) glaciation, in which two stages are distinguished, was restricted to the polar areas (Chetvertichnaya sistema, 1984). During the early Valday, the ice advancing from the Arctic shelf along the Urals exhibited an asymmetrical distribution: while on the western flank it reached 65N, on the eastern flank it only reached the Arctic Circle (Krapivner, 1976).The montane glaciers descended both westwards and eastwards on to the adjacent lowlands, forming piedmont glaciers. Their terminal moraines occur in the east between the Arctic Circle and 66N while in the west the occurrence of transverse moraines indicates that glaciers were blocked by the south-flowing ice (Astakhov and Yakimovich, 1993; Astakhov, 1997). A piedmont glacier apparently existed in the western Urals at 6430’N (south of the Arctic ice extent) while individual valley glaciers reaching the foothills developed to 63N.In the east, glaciers were restricted to the mountains north of 65N. Traces of cirque and small-scale valley glaciation are found as far south as the southern Urals (Lider, 1976). During the late Valday, glaciation was mainly of the alpine type as a result of the increasing aridity. The Arctic ice sheet affected only the northernmost part of the mountains, reaching about 500 m in thickness around the tip of the Polar Urals and helping to form the fjord-like valleys which are a typical feature of this landscape.The ice did not extend into the foothills south of 66-67N while between 66N and 63N glaciers developed only above approximately 1000 m (Astakhov and Yakimovich, 1993; Astakhov, 1997). There was a notable lack of glaciation in the northern and middle Urals in contradiction to a popular opinion that the Urals effectively intercept moisture transported by the westerly flow. Rather, shielding from the strong westerly winds provided conditions for the formation of cirque, snow, and ftrn (Neve) glaciers and a more widespread development of woody vegetation on the eastern flank.90008 90023 During the late Valday, a widespread development of permafrost occurred in the periglacial zone. The vegetation of the unglaciated Urals had an open nature and cryoarid communities dominated. Picea forests, typical of the Mikulino interglacial, disappeared almost completely, surviving only in the deep river valleys. The distribution of vegetation was characterized by both latitudinal and altitudinal zonality. Thus, according to Astakhov and Yakimovich (1993), in the piedmont plains and foothills the tundra-steppe communities dominated between 63N and 58N with the tundra and forest-tundra vegetation developing in river valleys.Further south, between 50N and 58N, the dry steppes dominated with forests growing in riparian habitats. The lichen arctic tundra and interzonal woody vegetation in valleys developed between 300 m and 600-700 m. The polar deserts dominated above 300 m in the northern Urals and above 600-700 m in the southern Urals, while the high mountains were barren. 90008 90023 Deglaciation followed the amelioration of climate at 12-11 Ka BP. The cooling of the Younger Dryas resulted in the advance of alpine glaciers in the Polar Urals (Gesse et al., 1963). A warmer climate which developed between 9-8 and 2.5 Ka BP, when summer temperatures were 2-2.5C higher than now, caused their widespread degradation (Surova et al., 1975). After the climatic optimum, conditions once again became cooler by 1-1.5C. Yet another glacial advance occurred and most ancient cirques in the Polar and Cis-Polar Urals were filled with ice (Troitsky et al., 1966; Serebryanny and Solomina, 1996). A study of dendrochronology in the Polar Urals provided detailed information on summer temperatures since the 8th century (Shiyatov, 1995; BriffaetflJ., 1995; Vaganov et al., 1996; Solomina, 1999). Temperatures were higher between the 11th and the 13th centuries, when the altitudinal tree line was positioned 60-80 m above its present level. The reduced growth of alpine forests and lowering of the tree line associated with climatic cooling began in the 14th century and continued until the beginning of the 20th century. The 16th and the 17th centuries were the coldest, with summer temperatures at about 2C lower than at present and lichenometric dating of moraines has confirmed the renewed growth of glaciers (Serebryanny and Solomina, 1996; Solomina, 1999).The 20th century was the warmest on dendrochronological record. However, woody vegetation has not yet spread to the habitats which it occupied during the medieval climatic optimum (Vaganov et al., 1996). Contemporary glaciation is restricted to the Polar Urals and reviewed above. 90008 90023 90006 Contemporary Climates and Biota 90007 90008 90023 Extending from the Arctic Ocean to the Caspian Sea, the Ural mountains cut across almost the full spectrum of latitudinal zones and exhibit a great variety of climatic conditions.The incoming solar radiation changes from 75 kcal cm 90060 2 90061 in the north to 110 kcal cm 90060 2 90061 in the south which predetermines a great difference in summer climates (Figure 13.3). Different circulation processes affect the northern, central, and southern regions. Whereas the north and the central regions are under the influence of depressions developing on the Arctic and Polar fronts respectively, the southern Urals are dominated by anti-cyclonic weather.Depressions occur north of 61 latitude on average for 240 days per year, being particularly frequent (over 20 days per month) between October and April. A reverse pattern is observed south of 56 where anticyclonic circulation dominates on 260 days per year, exceeding 20 days per month between October and April when the Siberian anticyclone develops (Kuvshinova, 1968). The southern and Kazakh Urals are characterized by the greatest continentality of climate, dry and hot summers and cold, dry winters with frequent temperature inversions.The absence of a thick snow cover means deep freezing of soils, while the low density of snow predetermines the frequent occurrence of blizzards and snowstorms which develop even under the relatively low wind speeds. 90008 90023 The Urals do not create a marked difference in the amount of precipitation received by the east of the European territory and Western Siberia. On the contrary, orographic forcing is an important factor in the development of deep depressions in the lee of the Ural mountains over the West Siberian plain (Chen and Zhang, 1996).However, annual precipitation totals on the western slopes of the Urals itself exceed those on the eastern slopes by 100-150 mm (Figure 13.3). 90008 90005 90008 90005 Fig. 13.3 Climatic characteristics of the Urals. Modified from Kuvshinova (1968) 90008 90023 The difference is best expressed in winter when precipitation is produced by low pressure systems travelling in the westerlies. Precipitation enhancement on the western macroslope and the development of a rainshadow are evident from the distribution of snow cover along 64 latitude: snow depth in the Pechora lowland is about 90 cm; it increases to 120-130 cm in the western foothills, reaching about 150 cm on the western slope in high mountains; on the eastern slope snow depth declines to about 60 cm (Kuvshinova, 1968).90008 90023 Montane analogues of most botanical latitudinal zones are represented in the Urals. These are displaced southwards in comparison with the surrounding plains in response to the altitudinal temperature decline and precipitation increase (Figure 13.4). 90008 90005 90008 90005 Fig. 13.4 Vegetation zones in the Urals. Modified from Gorchakovsky (1968) 90008 90023 Thus while on the surrounding plains a characteristic latitudinal succession of the taiga subzones occurs, in the mountains the dark northern taiga communities dominate as far as 60N.Different amounts of moisture received by the western and eastern slopes predetermine an asymmetrical vegetation distribution particularly in the most elevated Polar, northern, and southern Urals (Figure 13.4 a, b). Thus forests composed of moisture-demanding species, such as Picea obovata, with the participation of Abies sibirica and Pinus sibirica dominate on the western macroslope and watersheds of the northern, middle, and partly southern Urals while on the drier eastern macroslope Pinus sylvestris and Larix forests are widespread.In the southern Urals, the climax communities of the western macroslope are represented by broad-leaved forests composed mainly of Quercus, Tilia, and Acer while at the same latitudes and altitudes steppes dominate on the eastern flank. The southern Urals serve as a well-defined longitudinal boundary between the European broad-leaved and mixed broad-leaved coniferous forests and the Siberian pine and alder-birch formations. The broad-leaved forests have been vastly transformed by human activities and in the foothills primary forests have been mostly replaced by agricultural lands, meadows, and small-leaved secondary forests.The northern and central Urals are among the main timber-producing regions of Russia. Issues of forest use and management in the taiga regions of the Urals are discussed below. 90008 90005 <<< The Khibin Mountains | 90006 Biomes & Regions Index 90007 | The Putorana Plateau >>> 90008 90023 90008 90087 90088.90000 Interesting facts about the Ural Mountains 90001 90002 90003 90002 The 90005 Ural Mountains 90006, or simply 90005 the Urals 90006, are a mountain range that runs approximately from north to south through western Russia, from the coast of the Arctic Ocean to the Ural River and northwestern Kazakhstan. 90003 90002 They have traditionally been used on maps as the 90005 boundary between Europe and Asia 90006 although they may not be a completely accurate boundary mark.90003 90002 The mountain range spans 90005 2,500 kilometers 90006 (1,550 miles) passing through Arctic tundra to the north and through forested and semi-desert landscapes to the south. 90003 90002 90003 90002 The Urals are a narrow mountain range, at its widest point they are about 90005 200 kilometers 90006 (125 miles) 90005 wide 90006. 90003 90002 90005 The highest point 90006 of the mountains is the peak of 90005 Mount Narodnaya 90006, which stands at 90005 1,894 meters 90006 (6,214 feet).90003 90002 90003 90002 90005 The Ural Mountains are among the world’s oldest mountains, 90006 90005 300 to 250 million years old 90006, and erosion has lowered them considerably. For its age, the elevation of the mountains is unusually high. 90003 90002 90005 The mountains are divided into five subsections: the southern, middle, northern, pre-polar and polar regions. 90006 90003 90002 The 90005 landscapes 90006 of the Urals vary with both latitude and longitude and are dominated by 90005 forests 90006 and 90005 steppes 90006.90003 90002 90003 90002 Except in the polar and northern sections, the mountains are 90005 forested 90006, and 90005 lumbering is an important industry 90006. 90003 90002 90005 The Ural Mountains are among the richest in minerals in the world and have been mined for hundreds of years 90006. They provide coal, iron, silver, gold, platinum, lead, salt, aluminum, magnesium, diamonds and a wide range of other gemstones. 90003 90002 90003 90002 The Urals are also 90005 rich deposits oil and natural gas 90006.90003 90002 90005 Many rivers originate in the Ural Mountains 90006. The 90005 Ural River 90006 rises on the eastern slopes of the southern Ural Mountains in Russia. The Ural flows generally south for about 2,428 kilometers (1,509 miles) miles and enters the Caspian Sea. 90003 90002 90005 The mountains contain a number of deep lakes 90006. The eastern slopes of the Southern and Central Urals have most of these, among the largest of which are the Uvildy [photo below], Turgoyak, and Tavatuy lakes.90003 90002 90003 90002 The composition of mountains, forests, rivers and lakes makes the Urals one of the most beautiful regions in Russia. 90003 90002 The 90005 climate 90006 of the Urals is 90005 continental 90006. 90003 90002 The Ural forests are inhabited by 90005 animals 90006 typical of Siberia, such as elk, brown bear, fox, wolf, wolverine, lynx, squirrel, and sable (north only). Because of the easy accessibility of the mountains there are no specifically mountainous species.In the Middle Urals, one can see a rare mixture of sable and pine marten named kidus. In the Southern Urals, badger and black polecat are common. Bird species are represented by capercaillie, black grouse, hazel grouse, spotted nutcracker, and cuckoos. 90003 90002 Urals has famous 90005 Virgin Komi Forests 90006, which were included to the World Heritage List. At 32,800 square kilometers it is the largest in Europe. 90003 90002 90003 90002 90005 Visim Nature Reserve 90006 is a treasure trove of the pristine nature of the Ural region.This is a region of wild, reserved, primeval forests, in which the Mansi of the Vogulsky population used to hunt. In 2001 UNESCO decided to give it the status of a Biosphere Reserve. 90003 90002 To the western shore of one of the deepest, cleanest and most beautiful lakes in the Ural region — 90005 Lake Turgoyak 90006, one large island is adjoined — 90005 the mysterious island of Faith 90006. It is considered to be a strong and highly bio-energetic place and you can often find people with various dowsing devices, as well as artists, writers, musicians and other creative professionals who tend to draw inspiration from ancient megaliths.90003 90002 90003 90002 90005 People came to inhabit these places much later than other regions of the Earth 90006: during the early Paleolithic period, about 75,000 years ago. The Ural Mountains, for most of their length are still today not the most accessible place to visit. 90003 90002 90005 Russians 90006 90005 entered the northern Urals in the late 1000s 90006. However, they did not discover the range’s mineral riches until the 1600s. In the 1700s the Urals became one of Russia’s most important industrial areas.Scientists from Russia and other countries have continued to study the mountains ‘minerals. 90003 90002 As Russians in other regions gather mushrooms or berries, Uralians gather mineral specimens and gems. 90003 90002 The Urals have been a natural barrier for humans. 90005 During World War II 90006 Soviet forces planned to retreat east of the Urals in case Nazi’s invasion would have been eventually successful. 90003 90002 The 90005 Dyatlov Pass incident 90006 is the mysterious deaths of nine ski hikers in the northern Ural Mountains on February 2, 1959.The experienced trekking group, who were all from the Ural Polytechnical Institute, had established a camp on the slopes of Kholat Syakhl when disaster struck. During the night something made them tear their way out of their tents from the inside and flee the campsite inadequately dressed in heavy snowfall and sub-zero temperatures. 90003 .