Russia’s forests cover over 763.5 million hectares, accounting for more than one-fifth of the world’s total forest areas. This vast expanse is larger than the Amazon rainforest and comparable to an entire continent. These extensive lands play a considerable role in the planet’s ecological balance and possess unique biodiversity shaped by varied climates and landscapes.
Geographic Scope and Biomes
Russia’s forests are dominated by the taiga, or boreal forest, the largest forested region on Earth. This biome stretches from Russia’s western borders across Siberia to the Pacific Ocean, characterized by long, cold winters and short, mild summers. Coniferous trees, adapted to these harsh conditions, are the prevailing vegetation.
Beyond the taiga, Russia also encompasses other forest biomes. Temperate broadleaf and mixed forests exist in the south and west, particularly near its European borders and in the Far East. These regions, such as the Ussuri broadleaf and mixed forests, feature a blend of coniferous and deciduous trees, benefiting from milder climates and greater precipitation. Further north, a forest-tundra transition zone marks the gradual shift from dense forests to the treeless tundra, with sparse tree cover as conditions become increasingly cold.
Dominant Flora and Fauna
The Russian taiga features a resilient diversity of tree species, primarily conifers. Siberian pine, Siberian fir, and various spruce species are common, adapted to the cold climate by producing saps to prevent freezing and retaining needles year-round. Larch trees, unique among conifers, are deciduous and shed their needles in the fall, with the Dahurian larch tolerating the coldest winters in eastern Siberia. Deciduous trees like birch and aspen also appear, particularly in the warmer, southern taiga and mixed forest zones.
These forests support a wide array of wildlife. The Siberian tiger, also known as the Amur tiger, primarily inhabits the coniferous, scrub oak, and birch forests of the Russian Far East, particularly the Sikhote-Alin mountain region. Eurasian brown bears are widespread, with the largest populations found east of the Ural Mountains in the dense Siberian forests, where they are often referred to as the “common bear.” Other prominent species include wolves, lynx, and elk (moose), which roam throughout these forest ecosystems.
Global Ecological Role
Russia’s forests play a substantial role in global ecology as one of the world’s largest terrestrial carbon sinks. These forests absorb massive amounts of carbon dioxide, capturing an average of 1.7 billion tons of CO2 annually. The boreal forests and associated peatlands in Russia hold almost 50 percent of the Northern Hemisphere’s terrestrial carbon.
Beyond carbon sequestration, these forests also contribute to oxygen production and influence global weather patterns. Through transpiration, trees release water vapor, affecting regional humidity and contributing to atmospheric moisture. This process, along with the forest’s mass, helps regulate air masses and overall climate dynamics.
Human Interaction and Environmental Pressures
Russian forests face various pressures from human activities and environmental changes. Logging, both legal and illegal, threatens these ecosystems. Illegal logging is widespread in the Russian Far East, often supplying timber to international markets and degrading wildlife habitats.
Wildfires are another increasing pressure, with an average of 1.9 million hectares of forest lost annually between 2006 and 2023. These fires, often linked to warmer and drier conditions exacerbated by climate change, can transform forests from carbon sinks into carbon sources. Additionally, permafrost thaw in northern taiga regions is a concern, as it can release vast quantities of stored carbon, including methane, further contributing to atmospheric greenhouse gases.