What about the status?

The status of this ecoregion is relatively protected, for the human impact is not as large as in large metropolitan areas where population growth puts pressure on resources, as seen in unstable ecosystems. In fact, the taiga has one of the most vast habitat concentrations in the world, with over 200 different animals species, and more than 2,000 different types of plants, which includes nationally endangered plant species such as Calypso bulbosa (see picture below) and Cotoneaster lucidis. The taiga’s diverse flora and fauna contributes to the rich heritage of the taiga, since the Eastern Siberian taiga historically has older flora and fauna than the Western Siberian taiga. However, the rich abundance of plant life still needs proper protection from conservation groups in order to be sustained, which is a similar case with the Siberian tiger, as mentioned previously.

Example of the taiga's plant diversity

The Calypso bulbosa is found in the Eastern Siberian taiga, and is considered nationally endangered, which proves how the taiga is home to many different important types of plant and animal species. Courtesy of <carsoncity.k12.mi.us>.

What about the future?

The main lucrative trade of logging, clear-cutting for timber will continue to prevail in this region, since it is a mainstay to the local economy of the region. This is especially given the distance of the taiga from major metropolitan centers, thus the local economy and infrastructure depends upon the natural resources. Many of the Siberian people are nomadic as well, so as people become more sedentary, the tradition of logging and extracting valuable resources such as oil and petroleum will only increase with time. This region will also most likely be greeted with technological achievements like hydroelectricity, since the area is abundant with resources from the land, as proved by the picture of petroleum areas below. Unfortunately, poaching will continue to be a problem until fast measures are taken to protect the animals and natural habitats. This is especially crucial to the Siberian Tiger, since the population endemic to the taiga is dwindling more and more everyday, as noted above.

This map is a good representation of Russia's capable land abilities in producing necessary resources such as natural gas and petroleum. Courtesy of <http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/commonwealth/soviet_pet_deposit_82.jpg>.

What can be done?

To maintain a healthy balance between people and the taiga, Russia could enforce stricter legislation that deals with protection of animal habitats against poaching and the murder of animal populations for the sale of fur. This is especially aimed at the Siberian tigers, since they are in dire need of protection. WWF has already created a project that aims to preserve tiger populations in this region, with goals ranging from the allocation of funds to specific conservation groups to collaborating with Russian scientists about conservation goals. Additionally, if more conservation groups could facilitate educational systems to populations about the current state of the taiga in relation to the tiger, it would raise awareness and promote more conscientiousness from a wider range of people. In terms of protection of the forests from clear-cutting, a more eco-friendly, sustainable way to extract timber could be devised, such as partial cutting which still extracts timber yet maintains the animal populations. All in all, this area will continue to be a center of resources such as wood and oil, and to sustain not only the economy but also the nature, measures must be taken to ensure safe practices that combine ecological concerns with technological realities.

As a consequence of poaching in the taiga of Eastern Siberia, the natural Siberian tiger population becomes more and more depleted everyday. Courtesy of <guardian.co.uk>.

References for Project

1. Berg, Linda R., Mary Catherine Hager and David M. Hassenzahl. Visualizing Environmental Science. John Wiley & Sons, Inc: USA, 2011. Print.

2.  East Russia Travel Market. "History." Web. 2000. 
<http://www.traveleastrussia.com/history.html>.

3. Forest Practices Branch. "Alternatives to Conventional Clearcutting." Web. 
<http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hfp/publications/00217/atcc.htm>.

4. Horner, Lisa and Josh Wilson. "Eastern Siberia: Vast Potential." The School of Russian and Asian Studies. Web. 2010.
<http://www.sras.org/eastern_siberia>.

5. National Geographic Education. "Taiga: boreal forest." Web. 2012. <http://education.nationalgeographic.com/education/encyclopedia/taiga/?ar_a=4>.

6. Shvidenko, Anatoly and Sten Nilsson. "Extent, Distribution, and Ecological Role of Fire in Russian Forests." Fire, Climate Change, and Carbon Cycling in the Boreal Forest. Volume 138 (2000): 132-150. Web. 
<http://www.springerlink.com/content/tu82ql337303l786/>.

  7. Wild Russia. "Russian Zapovedniks and National Parks." Web.
  <http://www.wild-russia.org/html/tour.htm>.

  8.  WWF. "East Siberian Taiga." Web. 2012.
<http://worldwildlife.org/ecoregions/pa0601>.

  9. WWF  Global. "Eastern Siberian Taiga - A Global Ecoregion." Web.
<http://wwf.panda.org/about_our_earth/ecoregions/eastern_siberian_taiga.cfm>.

  10. WWF Global. "Tiger Population." Web.
<http://wwf.panda.org/what_we_do/endangered_species/tigers/about_tigers/tiger_population/>.

Images:

1. Calypso bulbosa picture. Web.
<carsoncity.k12.mi.us>.

2. Data on Russian Forests Chart. "Extent, Distribution and Ecological Role of Fire in Russian Forests." Web.
<http://www.springerlink.com/content/tu82ql337303l786/>.

3. Map. Deforestation in Siberia and the Russian Far East. Web.
<http://forest.mtu.edu/pcforestry/resources/studentprojects/siberia.html>.

 4.  Map of Petroleum areas. Web.
<http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/commonwealth/soviet_pet_deposit_82.jp>.

5. Map. Resources for Bird Watching. Web.
<fatbirder.com>.

6. Map. Way To Russia Guide. Web.
<beta.waytorussia.net>.

7. Picture.  Most Adventurous Landmarks in Russia. Web.
<tourism-review.com>.

 8. Picture. The School of Russian and Asian Studies. Web.
 <sras.org>.

 9. Tiger image. Web.
<image courtesy of http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2010/jun/20/siberian-tiger-mystery-disease-extinction>.

10. Tiger Population Chart. Web.
<http://wwf.panda.org/what_we_do/endangered_species/tigers/about_tigers/tiger_population/>.

 11. Zapovednik map. Zoological Society of London. Web.
<https://www.zsl.org/conservation/regions/asia/amur-tiger-camera-trapping-in-lazovsky-nature-reserve-in-the-russian-far-east,82,PS.html>.