Russia and the Environment Artwork: Ivan Shishkin

5 Physiographic Regions: Russian Plain Urals Central Siberian Plateau Western Siberian Plateau Mountain Rim

Climate Severe continental climate Much of land area is above 60N Permafrost Frozen seaports in the north

Russian, Transcaucasus, Central Asia’s Physiographic Regions

Russia’s 5 Natural Landscapes Types 1. Tundra- an Arctic wilderness where the climate precludes any agriculture or forestry. Permafrost and very short summers mean that the natural vegetation consists of mosses, lichens, and certain hardy grasses

Siberian Tundra

2. Taiga- ecological zone of boreal coniferous forest 3. Mixed forest- wooded area comprised of a variety of tree species, both hardwoods and softwoods

4. Steppe - semiarid, treeless, grassland plains photo: H. Zeitler

example: Mountain in Vladivostok Region, Russia 5. Mountain Rim example: Mountain in Vladivostok Region, Russia

Russian Environmental History Soviet central planning placed strong emphasis on industrial output, with very little regard for environmental protection. Result is severe environmental degradation. Resulting problems: Overcutting of forests Widespread use of pesticides Heavy water pollution Acid rain Soil erosion Desertification Air pollution Radioactive contamination

Areas of Environmental Degradation

Russian Environmental Degradation: Chernobyl

Lake Baykal See your text for this story.

Russians in Two Different Landscapes Film #1: The Steppes of North Caucasus Film Questions: What kind of climatic and physiographic characteristics exist in this part of Russia? How do people make a living here? How do they adjust to this climate and landscape? What are some of the political and ecological challenges?

Film #2: Norilsk: Life in the Arctic Film Questions: What kind of climatic and physiographic characteristics exist in this part of Russia? How do people make a living here? How do they adjust to this climate and landscape? What are some of the political and ecological challenges? How are indigenous people impacted by this way of making a living?