Wildlife of
Burjatija

The dominant biome: extensive taiga of larch, Scots pine and Siberian pine/cedar with spruce and fir in moister mountain zones; fire, cold winters, and permafrost influence northern and drier sites.

Widespread across most of the republic, especially uplands and mountain slopes (dominant land cover).

Forest-steppe and steppe grasslands in rain-shadow basins and broad valleys (e.g., Selenga basin), with feather grass and drought-tolerant forbs interspersed with open pine/birch stands.

Patchy but prominent in southern and central intermontane basins and river valleys; locally extensive around settlements and grazing areas.

High-elevation belts above treeline on major ranges (Khamar-Daban, Barguzin Range, Eastern Sayan spurs): subalpine shrubs and stunted, wind-shaped treeline scrub transitioning to alpine meadows, rocky tundra, and snowbed communities.

Limited to mountain tops and upper slopes; discontinuous but ecologically important.

Alpine tundra-like communities (dwarf shrubs, lichens, sedges) on exposed high ridges and plateaus where soils are thin and winds severe.

Small, scattered patches at the highest elevations (often intergrading with the alpine belt).

Lake Baikal's littoral and nearshore waters, large rivers (Selenga, Barguzin, Upper Angara), and numerous tributaries and lakes support endemic-rich aquatic systems and cold-water fisheries.

Concentrated along the Baikal shoreline and major drainage networks; a major ecological feature despite modest area footprint.

River deltas, floodplain wetlands, peatlands and marsh complexes-especially the Selenga Delta-providing key breeding/stopover habitat for waterfowl and filtering inflows to Baikal.

Scattered along floodplains and lowlands; locally extensive in the Selenga Delta and broad valley bottoms.

Taiga stands dominated by larch and Scots pine, with Siberian pine/cedar, spruce and fir in cooler/moister mountain sectors; frequent post-fire mosaics.

Birch and aspen secondary forests on disturbed sites and burns, often forming mixed mosaics with conifers and shrub layers.

Open pine and larch woodlands in drier forest-steppe zones and on sandy/rocky soils, with grassy understories.

Dry grasslands in basins and south-facing slopes (forest-steppe to true steppe), used historically for grazing and haymaking; high seasonality and drought exposure.

Meadow and floodplain grasslands along major rivers and in valley bottoms, often transitioning to marsh or shrub thickets.

Willow/alder riparian thickets and subalpine shrub belts (dwarf pine and other stunted treeline shrubs), important for songbirds and slope stabilization.

Rugged terrain of the Baikal, Barguzin and Khamar-Daban ranges and Sayan spurs drives strong microclimatic gradients and habitat turnover.

Species-rich high-elevation meadows and herbfields in summer-grazed zones, interspersed with rock outcrops and snowbed plants.

Exposed alpine tundra patches with lichens, dwarf shrubs and sedges on windswept ridges above treeline.

Rock faces and talus slopes along mountain ranges and parts of the Baikal shoreline, providing nesting/denning sites and specialized flora.

Lake Baikal plus smaller lakes and oxbows; Baikal's shoreline supports distinct nearshore communities and spawning/feeding areas.

Large river corridors (Selenga, Barguzin, Upper Angara) with dynamic channels, riparian forests, and gravel/sand bars critical for fish and birds.

Floodplain wetlands and deltaic complexes, especially the Selenga Delta, with reedbeds, wet meadows, and open-water pools.

Reed and sedge marshes in deltas and lake margins; key breeding habitat for waterbirds.

Peat-forming wetlands and muskeg-like patches in cooler/poorly drained lowlands and valley floors, often with sphagnum and stunted conifers.

Stony Baikal shore segments and wave-washed boulder fields that create distinct littoral habitats.

Sandy and pebble beaches along parts of Lake Baikal and river/lake margins, seasonally important for recreation and shoreline nesting sites.

Cropland, hayfields and pasture concentrated in valleys and steppe/forest-steppe zones, especially around the Selenga corridor.

Urban/industrial habitats around Ulan-Ude and smaller towns, including riverfront modifications and peri-urban greenspaces.