The uniqueness of the Primorsky Territory is due to its historical feature: during the ice age, this area was untouched by ice. The specific location and peculiar climate formed a very diverse flora and fauna on its territory. Here trees and plants grow, characteristic of the southern and northern latitudes. The fauna and birds also represent different climatic zones. In addition, the presence of relict representatives of flora and fauna is characteristic of the Far Eastern region.
Features
Forests occupy most of the territory of Primorye, forming the main landscape. The vast expanses of taiga are combined with many mountain rivers and lakes. The Ussuri taiga, which got its name from the Ussuri River, which flows into the Amur River, is particularly picturesque. It extends along the Sikhote-Alin mountain ranges. The taiga climate is particularly contrasted. Winter, dry and cold, is replaced by a protracted and cool spring, characterized by temperature extremes. Summer in the region is hot and humid, and autumn is warm and dry.
The severe nature of winter is caused by northerly winds, bringing frost and clear weather. In summer, on the contrary, southerly winds bring warmth and sunshine from the Pacific Ocean. In the summer, tropical cyclones often shock the Ussuri region with typhoons, causing great harm to agriculture and the entire region as a whole.
Plants and trees
Due to the mountainous features of the Ussuri taiga in the area, one can distinguish high-altitude zoning of plants. Broad-leaved forests with Mongolian oak and hazel grow on the lower slopes of the mountains. Above are coniferous-deciduous forests of fir and cedar. Ash, maple, hornbeam, oak, Amur velvet are also growing there. Spruce, fir, larch, stone birch and yellow maple settled on the very upper slopes of the mountains. Mountain peaks have little vegetation. They were not affected by the ancient glaciation, and the plants of the Ussuri taiga, preserved from ancient times, acquired a neighborhood with later counterparts. So, tropical lilies, lotus, Manchu apricot coexist peacefully with fir and spruce, as well as with northern berries: lingonberries, blueberries, cranberries.
This region is rich in edible plants, an abundance of various mushrooms, berries, nuts and acorns. About half of the plants, many herbs of the Ussuri taiga have medicinal properties and are widely used in traditional oriental medicine.
A large amount of moisture in the summer promotes rapid growth of vegetation. Due to the large number of warm days in the region, not only traditional grain crops ripen, but also heat-loving plants: soy, rice, grapes. High humidity and plenty of sunny days provide rapid growth and ripening of vegetables and fruits.
Animals
The rich nature is distinguished by the mixed nature. Taiga animals and birds get along well with representatives of the tropical zone. Manchurian deer, brown bears, chipmunks, badgers, flying squirrels, hedgehogs, capercaillie and hazel grouse are representatives of the Siberian taiga. Ussuri and Amur tigers, leopards, Himalayan bears, martens are tropical animals of Southeast Asia.
The Ussuri taiga is represented by individuals characteristic only for this region: a black bear, a sika deer, a rat-shaped hamster, a Manchu hare, a raccoon dog, and a Far Eastern forest cat. In the southern mountainous part of the forest, a unique animal is found - the mountain, which, due to its small number, is listed in the Red Book.
The animals of the Ussuri taiga are fully provided with a variety of nutritious food: nuts, acorns, berries, mushrooms, shoots, tree bark.
In taiga freshwater lakes you can find such a tropical wonder as a Chinese turtle. Its shell does not contain bone plates, but is covered with skin, which is why the turtle is classified as a soft-skinned animal. She dives well and can stay under water for a long time, engaged in fishing. They hunt the Chinese turtle because of the especially tasty and tender meat.
Birds
Among the huge variety of seaside birds, there is a significant part of the rare representatives of the feathered world listed in the Red Book. Most rare birds live in forests, on the banks of rivers and lakes. To protect rare waterfowl and observe them, the Khankai Reserve was formed.
Seaside representatives of birds also have a great variety of species. Tropical birds in the summer breed their offspring, and in the fall fly to warmer climes. To replace them, northern birds fly to the taiga for wintering. Typical of the Ussuri forests are the Manchu pheasant, mandarin duck, wide-latitude, nightingale-whistler, tree wagtail and many others.
Taiga insects are distinguished by a variety of species containing bright and unique individuals in their ranks.
Important Notice
Due to the vastness of the territories, the fauna of the Far Eastern taiga is slightly disturbed by active human activity. Therefore, the animal world is not only diverse, but also numerous, which allows you to actively hunt animals and birds. Skins of red deer, roe deer, deer are sent for processing, young horns (antlers) are used in pharmaceuticals. Fishing and waterfowl fishing are well established, and sport hunting is popular.
The pristine Ussuri taiga with its majestic mountain peaks, crystal clear ponds can rightfully be called a paradise for lovers of boating and fishing. The Ussuri River and the smaller rivers flowing into it: Bolshaya Ussurka, Bikin, Armu - in the summer period they collect tourists on their waters for rafting. These rivers have innumerable fish wealth: grayling, lenok, taimen, Amur pike. In winter, ice fishing is very popular. Rich fishing is of great economic importance for the region.
