Chukchi Peninsula tundra

The Chukchi Peninsula tundra ecoregion (WWF ID: PA1104) is an ecoregion that covers the northern coast of Russia along the East Siberian Sea, a marginal sea of the Arctic Ocean. The climate is somewhat milder than would be expected for its latitude, but the moderating effects of the East Siberian Sea and Bering Sea permits summer daytime temperatures above 50 °F (10 °C). Many colonies of migrating birds visit the area. The ecoregion is in the Palearctic realm, and tundra biome. It has an area of 298,367 square kilometres (115,200 sq mi).[1] [2]

Chukchi Peninsula tundra
Town of Pevek, on Chaunskaya Bay
Ecoregion territory (in purple)
Ecoregion territory (in purple)
Ecology
RealmPalearctic
BiomeTundra
Geography
Area298,367 km2 (115,200 sq mi)
CountryRussia
Coordinates67.75°N 170.25°E / 67.75; 170.25

Location and description

The ecoregion stretches 700 km from the mouth of the Lena River in the northwest to the eastern tip of the Chukchi Peninsula in the east. The terrain is mostly treeless Arctic plains on alluvial deposits and widespread groundwater saturation. There are some small mountains reaching up to 1,000 meters.

Climate

The region has a Tundra (Koppen classification ET). This climate is characterized by long, cold winters and very short summers with at least one month averaging over 0 °C (32 °F) so that snow or ice might melt, but no month averages over 10 °C (50 °F). Mean precipitation in Pevek, on the north coast, averages 184 mm/year, with mean temperatures of −26.9 °C (−16.4 °F) in January, and 8.7 °C (47.7 °F) in July.

Flora and fauna

The ecoregion lies north of the treeline, with only scattered communities of brush among the widespread tundra floral cover. Over 400 species of lichen and moss have been recorded.[3]

Protections

Beringia National Park is a significant nationally protected area in this ecoregion.

See also

References
  1. "Chukchi Peninsula tundra". GlobalSpecies.org. Archived from the original on December 16, 2018. Retrieved November 20, 2018.
  2. "Chukchi Peninsula tundra". World Wildlife Federation. Retrieved November 20, 2018.
  3. "Chukotka's Natural heritage at a Glance (PDF)" (PDF). World Wildlife Federation (WWF). Retrieved December 13, 2018.
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