Nature, plants and animals of the Murmansk region: list and interesting facts

The Murmansk region is a region rich in unique natural resources. They will be discussed in the article.

general characteristics

Murmansk region is located in the northwestern part of the Russian Federation. The area is 144 thousand km². 70% of the territory is occupied by the Kola Peninsula. It is washed by the White Sea in the east and southeast and the Barents Sea in the north. More than half of the area is located beyond the Arctic Circle. The climate of the northern part is mild subarctic (the Gulf Stream affects the warm Atlantic current), and the southern part is moderately marine. In winter, the air is unusually warm for the north of the continent. A change in the direction of the wind dramatically changes the air temperature over the area. Inanimate nature is very heterogeneous. The relief in the west is mountainous, the heights are very different. In the middle part there are also mountain ranges interspersed with river valleys and lakes. The eastern part is flat, with occasional elevations. There are many rapids on the territory, because once it was covered by a glacier that left deep traces. A lot of lakes - about 100 thousand. Soils are also extremely heterogeneous, their properties vary not only from north to south, but mosaicism is also observed. But, as a rule, these are illuvial-humus podzols. Swamps are scattered around the edge. Around lakes, in river valleys, even on the tops of plateaus. Precipitation is very heavy, especially in summer and autumn. In the mountains - 1000 mm per year. 500-700 mm - in the rest of the area. Animals and plants of the Murmansk region are specific for this northern region.

Vegetable world

The southern tundra is replaced by forest tundra, and then northern taiga. Here is the northernmost taiga in the Russian Federation. But rather poor in species diversity. Forests occupy 37% of the area. The tundra is a carpet of mosses and lichens. It is rich in berries: cranberries, blueberries, cloudberries, lingonberries, blueberries. The forest-tundra zone is represented by rarely growing dwarf trees: birch and aspen, pine trees grow on 40% of the area and spruce grow well. Pines and spruces here rarely grow together, but almost always coexist with birches. Birch trees are mostly curved (crooked), in the north they are very stunted, barely reach 1 meter, in the south 5-6 m. A lot of mountain ash and juniper, which makes up the undergrowth. Trees do not form dense forests. Marsh vegetation is especially worth it. Marshes occupy 40% of the territory. There are even meadows, as well as arctic deserts on the tops of the mountains. In general, vegetation is very rich in species. Especially diverse are lichens and mosses. Lichen birch twigs and moss birch forests characterize this northern region.

If we talk about the number of plant species, it is quite large. The flora is represented by liverworts (about 185 species), mosses (455), vascular plants of more than 1000 species, about 1000 species of lichens, as well as mushrooms and algae.

Animal world

Fauna was formed in the postglacial time. Animals of the Murmansk region populated the land from the south and southeast. Therefore, most species are taiga. There are few Arctic representatives of animals in the Murmansk region.

The number of animal species and common representatives of the animal world of the Murmansk region

More than 60 species of mammals live in the Kola North. Of these, 14 species of cetaceans and 7 seals. Of the terrestrial animals of the Murmansk region, the most common are rodents. There is an arctic look - Norwegian lemmings. The most common mammals:

• reindeer;
• Elk;
• fox;
• Arctic fox
• ermine;
• marten;
• squirrel;
• lemming.

Less common are brown bears, wolves, wolverines. The polar bear is single. In the southern part you can find wild boar, roe deer, lynx. Among the birds, there are especially many sea birds that form bird markets. There are also many tits, bullfinches, waxwing, and polar owls, partridges, capercaillie, black grouse, and hazel grouse live in the forests. A total of about 280 species of birds. Half of them are related to water resources. There are a lot of breeding species, and there are even those flying for the winter: comb-eider, common and Siberian eider. The ichthyofauna is very rich in connection with a variety of water resources. Here, both freshwater and marine fish. Many valuable commercial species.

Invertebrate animals of the Murmansk region

In spring, the area is decorated not only with a carpet of flowers, but also with an abundance of various butterflies. There are about 700 species of them in the Murmansk region. There are many other insects whose fauna is even poorly understood.

The rich wildlife of the region

Murmansk region is a rich natural region. Only here taiga goes beyond the border of the Arctic Circle. Various northern representatives of flora and fauna living in various biotopes are in frequent contact with each other. Because in the region there is a mosaic of all kinds of biotopes. Many species are currently in a vulnerable state, since the region is developing well economically, industrial power is growing. Industry here is facing wildlife.

Red Book

It is no coincidence that the Red Book of the Murmansk region appeared. The animals and plants included in it are rare not only in the region itself, but also in the Russian Federation, even if they live in large numbers in this unit of the country. This innovation helps preserve biodiversity in a better way.

List of taxonomic groups on the Red Book of the Murmansk region and the number of species in need of protection:

1. Mushrooms - 18 species.
2. Lichens - 84 (of which 12 are endangered).
3. Algae - 3.
4. Liverworts - 43 (1 endangered species).
5. Mosses - 77 (3).
6. Vascular plants - 189 (2 probably disappeared, 39 disappearing).
7. Shellfish - 1 (1).
8. Spiders - 3.
9. Insects - 13.
10. Fish - 1 (1).
11. Amphibians - 1.
12. Reptiles - 1.
13. Birds - 35 (1).
14. Mammals - 11 (1).

Here are so many species that must be protected from the effects of adverse factors.

Disappearing representatives

Consider those species of plants and animals that are on the verge of extinction.

North Kostenets - Asplenium septentrionale (L.) Hoffm. This is a fern. Leaves are used for coughing as an expectorant. And also with scurvy, jaundice and colic. Ornamental plant.

Krupka insular - Draba insularis Pissjauk. It is also a rare species of Russia.

Kuzeneva's ulcer - Anthyllis kuzenevae Juz. This is an endemic area. He is not in other regions of Russia, there is little left in the Murmansk region. Perhaps it completely disappeared. In 1957, he was ripped off for the last time.

Arctic sunflower (Helianthemum arcticum) is endemic to this region. Shrub plant. From 10 to 40 cm. It grows only on the Turiev Peninsula with a narrow intermittent strip 4 km long. It was not immediately recognized as a new species, some scientists still have doubts.

Of the invertebrates of the Murmansk region listed in the Red Book, the European pearl mussel Margaritifera margaritifera (Linnaeus, 1758) is a vulnerable species both for the region and for the whole of Russia. The maximum life span is 250 years, which, of course, is unusually large for a freshwater mollusk. Pearl larvae are parasites of fish gills. To complete their development, they significantly, for several months, extend the life of the fish. Thus, fish (usually minnow) can spawn several times during their lives.

Of the vertebrates of the Murmansk Region listed in the Red Book are Kildin cod - Gadus morhua kildinensis Derjugin, 1920. It is endemic to only one northern lake on the Kola Peninsula. The lake is unique to Russia: salinity varies from 33 ppm at the bottom to fresh water on the surface. Kildin cod lives in the middle waters of the lake.

Of the birds, only the eagle owl is an endangered species, and in Russia it is vulnerable. The population is declining. This is a large bird (up to 4 kg) from the owl family. A very strong hunter. It preys on small prey and large, such as marten, ferret, musk deer, fox. In the battle with prey, it can even die. The wings are long, but the flight is silent. Coloring allows you to go unnoticed among the trees. It attacks suddenly and raises even large prey, such as a fox, into the air.

Of the mammals of the Murmansk region - marine inhabitants:

Tall-billed bottlenose - Hyperoodon ampullatus Forster, 1770. Refers to a toothed whale suborder. It feeds on squid.

Greenland whale - Balaena mysticetus L., 1758. Belongs to baleen whales. His mustache is up to 4 meters long, rather thin. It filters plankton better than other whales. It eats the smallest crustaceans that other whales cannot hold. It is also located in the Red Book of the Murmansk region. Animals are endangered.

Humpback whale - Megaptera novaeangliae Borowski, 1781. Striped whale. The length is about 14 meters. Very heavy due to the large amount of subcutaneous fat. Splashes a lot on the surface of the water, as if playing. The individuals sing, it is still not clear for what purpose. Each individual has its own color, so it is easy to differentiate. Basically - migratory animals, without attachment to the area. But they can also return to their favorite places where there is a lot of food. Only in the Arabian Sea does the population not migrate.

Northern blue whale - Balaenoptera musculus musculus Linnaeus, 1758. The largest animal on Earth. A rare animal of the Murmansk region and the entire globe.

Preserve the nature of the northern region

This is only part of the most interesting animals and plants of the Murmansk region, which are listed in the Red Book. If we pay attention to them and protect them from our own human activities, we will preserve these valuable species for ourselves and future generations. It is necessary to develop new lands taking into account the inhabitants already existing on them. Carrying out work, take care of the animals and plants around. And if necessary, create new reserves, nature reserves, national parks.