Lake Baikal is an amazing and unique natural laboratory where you can study life in the abyssal fresh waters. New varieties and species of organisms are constantly developing in the lake. Throughout its history, both Baikal itself and the organisms inhabiting its world have undergone a complex evolution. Because of this, the lake is inhabited by both very ancient varieties of organisms that arose in a small lake that preceded Baikal, and younger ones that arose in Baikal itself. There are more than 300 species of protozoa and about the same number of the most interesting amphipod crustaceans, various flat and round worms, crustaceans, insects, molluscs, fish and seals (seals).

Baikal plants

Baikal has more than 1000 species of aquatic flora! In addition to algae, about 20 species of flowering plants have been found here. The coves and silt lagoons of the lake, its sheltered bays and river deltas, feed plants such as rare, thin reeds, water buckwheat, reeds, horns and sedges.


Algae of Baikal

Near the steep shores of Lake Baikal, the coastal regions of the deep-water slope are devoid of flowering plants. However, algae live there. If you look closely at the rocks along the surf line in July, August and September, you will see a dense green moss-like plant on them - ulokriks. A little deeper, the stones are covered with yellowish fibers of algae called didymosphenia, and even deeper (3-10 meters) you will see small bushes of Baikal draparnaldia, which once formed dark green thickets. At this depth, other algae are also visible.


Exceptionally rich and diverse is phytoplankton, tiny algae that mostly live in the upper layer of the water, where it receives more light. These are diatoms ancient golden algae. Many types of these algae grow intensively in early spring, when the lake is still covered with a layer of ice. Among them are also cold-loving diatoms: melizira, cyctotella, sinedra. Ice and cold-loving advanced algae are especially numerous under patches of transparent ice.

In summer, when the water heats up, cold-loving algae produce too many heat-loving varieties - green, blue-green, golden and some other types of diatoms. The amount of algae on Baikal varies depending on the season.

The biological role of bacteria in Baikal

The biological role of bacteria in Baikal is no less diverse. They decompose and mineralize dead plants and animals, thereby participating in water purification. Bacteria also provide food for some plankton, crustaceans, and other organisms.

The smallest inhabitants of Baikal

In summer, when the water surface is calm, extensive thickets of bright dark green freshwater sponges of various shapes are visible through the water, each of which has a unique shape.


All Baikal sponges live on rocky soil in the open open areas of the lake. Research carried out deep-sea vehicle"Fish" shows that they live at depths reaching 1000 meters. The Baikal sturgeon uses a sponge as food.

Among the wide variety of worms inhabiting Lake Baikal, unusual flat ciliary worms (turbilaria in Latin) are in abundance. Such worms, as well as sponges that live in the vicinity of the Frolikha hot springs, contain about 60 percent of ancient carbon. This Baikal turbilaria exhibits wide variations in color and size. They have bright patterns of various shades and can reach a size of about 30 centimeters in length and 4-5 centimeters in width when decomposed. All of these worms are endemic; they live exclusively in the open areas of Lake Baikal.

Baikal worms feed along the bottom of the lake, where they search for prey, paralyze it, then wrap it in mucus and slowly draw it into the body. Feeding on sick and weakened organisms, flatworms function as medical orderlies.

Under stones on clay and, to a lesser extent, on sandy areas of the lake bottom, from the surface level to the deepest water, worm-like worms - worms - oligochetes live. This group of worms includes at least 70 species, 90 percent of which are endemic and live in open waters Baikal.

Among the benthic inhabitants, the Oligochets occupy a leading position. A small part of the Oligichs is predatory; most of them are harmful. Usually they serve as food for other more highly organized animals. Fearful worms play a rather significant role in the biological processes of the lake. I. Izosimov believes that oligichets are a relic of the tertiary fauna, which formed long ago and became endemic, while Baikal gave rise to a number of new species with their specific accommodative properties that allow them to live in this great reservoir.

In addition to scarecrow-like species, a curious representative of worm-like worms lives in the lake - policheta maasayunkia baikalica. It lives in small tubes built from particles of silt and sand held together by a certain substance. This typical representative of marine or refreshed water bodies lives on coastal muddy soils, in spongy fields, on plant branches and in other places. It is still unclear how he got to Baikal, but there are several interesting assumptions about this.

Mollusks of Baikal

It is known that more than a hundred species of mollusks live on Baikal. They live on muddy or sandy soil, mostly at a depth of 15-20 meters. Mollusks are infrequent at depths of 20 to 30 meters, and only a few rare specimens of mollusks live at depths of 100-150 meters. They are small and have thin-walled shells due to cold water and lack of calcium salts. The mollusk provides good food for sturgeon, whitefish, grayling, goby and snake.

Almost all Baikal mollusks belong to the main families of Baikal; they are found in their fossil forms in lake deposits dating back a million years. Special interest represents an endemic family of baicalids various forms and sizes of the shells, whimsically decorated with ribs, keel, handles and fine spiral nets.

Baikal insects

At the beginning of summer, at the end of May-June, caddisflies, insects hatched in streams, begin to fly out in full force. These insects, which are also known as "broom" in the south of Baikal and "lipochan" in the north, fill the air near the coast and gather in dense masses on rocks, stones and trees and near the water. Their adult phase lasts several days. Laying eggs in water, adult insects die. Their larvae turn into pupae, and in spring they develop wings.

Because of the hatching of the caddis flies, the bears rush to the shore each spring, alone or in family groups, to feast on the insects. At the same time, graylings and omuls "stretch" along the coast - this type of food is extremely nutritious! Among other insects, chironomids are numerous, numbering about 60 species, but only one third of them live in open Baikal.

The main filter of Baikal - epishura

The most numerous inhabitant of the waters of the lake is the crustacean Copepodae - the Baikal epischura. It's about the size of a grain of manna; the size of 1.5 millimeters is "giant" for him. However, it is this crustacean species of crustaceans that makes up 96% of the Baikal zooplankton. Epischura plays an exceptional role in life cycle Baikal. This crustacean is the main consumer of planktonic algae and subjects the bacteria of the lake to thorough filtration. It can be said without exaggeration that the epishura is the main filter of Baikal. According to academician G. Galaza, a well-known scientist (Lake Baikal, 1979), “during the year, all crustaceans of this species filter from 500 to 1.


The development of crustaceans in Baikal is most unusual, especially amphipods, which number about 300 species in the lake (a third of all gammarids known in the world!). They mainly live on the bottom, where they can dig into the ground, hide under stones, crawl along the bottom and nestle comfortably on the Baikal sponges, feeding on them. In shallow water, they are distinguished by bright colors and good eyesight; at great depths they are colorless, blind and have long antennae, with which they search for food on the ground.

Most of the amphipods are carnivores - corpse-eaters. They eat invertebrates dead fish and other organisms. Sometimes fishermen, if they do not have time to check their nets in time, raise either “chopped” fish or skeletons devoid of any flesh. Amphipods are excellent medical orderlies and also serve as food for fish.

Among amphipods, a special place belongs to the pelagic (living in the depths of the water) crustacean - macrohectopus or Jura, as fishermen call it. Yur is one of the main components of food for omul, and also provides food for all types of fish. Macrohectopus is a typical inhabitant of open Baikal. During daylight hours, its bulk stays close to the most active upper layer of water 200-250 meters thick. At night, it moves through the surface layers, preying on small planktonic organisms.

Baikal fish

56 species of fish live on Baikal. Most of them are bulls - wide kolobka (“wide forehead”, as they are called locally). They developed on Baikal from ancient form, akin to the Anadyr and Michigan bulls; in Baikal they are represented by 32 species, 29 of which are endemic. For the most part, gobies are typical inhabitants of the bottom, occupying all water depths.

Baikal is also home to the most abyssal freshwater fish in the world. These fish have managed to retain vision even at the greatest depths, although they only see black and white images.

Two species of gobies, the yellowfin and the blackcomb, live in the depths of the water. These pelagic forms live in the upper layer 100 meters thick, feeding on epischuria and yur. The roast of pelagic bull bulls (young), especially those of yellow fin bull bulls, the so-called poyed (joyful food), is one of the food components for omul.

Perhaps the most interesting fish of Baikal is the golomyanka (butterfish), which remains mysterious in many ways. Golomyankas - large and small - live only on Lake Baikal. Their size does not exceed 24 centimeters, they do not have scales, they are mother-of-pearl (mother-of-pearl) in color and transparent. They contain up to 35 percent of medicinal oil rich in vitamin A. Golomyanka is the most numerous fish in Baikal, its resources are about 150 thousand tons. However, it does not swim in schools in any of its life stages, so it is not listed as a food fish. Old residents say that long ago, after storms, golomyanka gathered along the coast, and the fat was melted and used to treat rheumatism, atherosclerosis, and to heal wounds that would not hurt for a long time. Golomyanka is a viviparous fish, the only one in our latitudes. At the same time, 3000 live fry are born. Most women die after hearing a child. Rarely golomyanka gives offspring twice, and even more rarely - three times. In nature, golomyanka live no more than 6 years.

This small fish can withstand the greatest pressure in the depths of the Baikal water. At night, it rises to the surface of the water, and during the day it swims at great depths. Limnologists had the opportunity to observe the behavior of the holomina in the depths of the water. At a depth of 1000–1400 meters or more, the golomyanka moves freely both horizontally and vertically, while at such a depth even a cannon cannot fire because of the enormous pressure.

It is noted that golomyanka is very sensitive to water temperature. Its optimum temperature is up to +5°C and this avoids higher temperatures. It cannot survive at +10°C or higher.

The main food fish in Baikal is the omul. When it comes to tenderness and taste of meat, omul knows no competitors. There are five omul populations: Selenga, Chivirkuy, Posolsky, North Baikal and Barguzinsky.

In autumn, during the spawning period, each population moves into its own river. The instinct to continue generation makes the omul overcome stormy rapids and river shallows. The eggs remain on sandy and pebbly bottoms with moderate water flow, and the development of its larvae lasts 8 months. For various reasons, most of the eggs die: they are either buried under sand and silt, or eaten by predators. To help preserve the population, fish hatcheries were built on Baikal, where artificial conditions valuable food fish are grown.

On breeding plants, 80 percent of the larvae of eggs survive, but when they are dumped on Lake Baikal, they are exposed to numerous dangers. Only one in a hundred fry survive to return to their spawning grounds. By ichthyology standards, this is a normal percentage! Admiral Nelson once remarked that "three codfish will be enough to feed London if their generation is saved..."

It is known that all omuls belong to three ecological and morphological groups: benthic-sabyssal, pelagic and coastal. The resources of omul are determined by the intensity of fishing. It should be noted that large-scale fishing is gradually declining, while there is an increase in licensed recreational fishing. It is noteworthy that today in the settlements on the shores of Lake Baikal, local residents can offer you salted and smoked omul, still hot, cooked before your eyes.

Even tastier than the omul is the Baikal whitefish, a juicy, oily fish weighing up to 12 pounds or more. Black and white Baikal grillings offer excellent sport fishing. After the ice breaks in spring, the black Baikal grayling, a surprisingly graceful fish with a high dorsal fin and sparkling rainbow colors, rises into the rivers that flow into Baikal. It overcomes rapids and zaioms (wooden heaps stuck in the river) up to a meter high before spawning. Seventeen days later, the caviar gives life to the larvae, which slide back to Baikal. The black grayling lives both in the quiet waters of the lake and in fast mountain rivers.

Taimens and Lenks live on Baikal, but Baikal sturgeon occupies a special place in the ichthyofauna of the lake, which mainly lives in the areas of the main tributaries of Baikal: in the delta zone of the Selenga River, in Provalsky Bay, Chivyrkuisky and Barguzinsky Bays. Sturgeons migrate widely throughout the lake, especially along the shoreline where they swim in bays and coves. At one time sturgeon caught weighed about 250 pounds. However, they grow slowly and ripen late. Males enter spawning schools at the age of 15–28 years, females at the age of 21–37 years.

On Baikal there are perches, roaches, ides, crucian carp, cockroaches, eels and other types of fish that are widespread throughout Siberia. They inhabit the tributaries of the lake, shallow bays and silty bays.

In the 1940s, the Amur carp acclimatized to the lake, now the eastern bream lives here, and the Amur whale entered the lake through the Khilok-Selenga river system.

The Baikal seal, or seal, as it is more commonly called, has always aroused great interest. How does this animal live in Baikal, since its closest relatives live in the northern Arctic regions and in the south of the Caspian Sea? According to one theory, the seal came to Baikal from the Arctic Ocean through the Lena River in prehistoric times, when it was part of a single system with Baikal. This theory finds support in the fact that chromosomal analysis and other data confirm that fur seal The Arctic is its closest relative. However, there are many differences between seals and related seals. Baikal seals are more graceful, especially females. They also differ from others in that they have a silvery-gray skin color and that they have 2 liters of blood more.

According to the observations of the employees of the Limnological Institute, the seal is able to dive to a depth of almost 300 meters. During a dive, his metabolic processes stop, and due to myoglobin, he switches to intravisceral respiration, while the walls of the blood veins get rid of cholesterol. Its population, according to information obtained by researchers E. Petrov and M. Ivanov, is at least 100,000 animals. Nevertheless, two centuries ago, Peter Simon Pallas sadly wrote that “irreparable damage was done to Baikal through spears and swords, and seals are no longer visible in South Baikal…”

IN winter time when the lake is covered with a thick layer of ice, the seal makes sharp claws through the airways (holes in the ice). Nearby, in a snowy den, a cow gives birth to one or, rarely, two seal pups. At first they are yellow-green. After two weeks, they turn white, and later acquire a noble silvery-gray hue.

The seal feeds on fish that do not play a significant role in fishing, but are important for the Baikal ecosystem (gobies make up 20 percent, and golomyanka 80 percent of their diet). Every day he consumes at least 3 kilograms of fish (a ton per year!). No words can describe the feeling left after meeting a live seal somewhere in a quiet bay or not far from the Ushkany Islands. The trusting, open look of the seal's large intelligent eyes will enchant everyone. For several hours, the animals can bask in the sun while playing with their relatives.

Including more than 2500 species of animals, as well as plants that are found only in this region. Scientists agree that this place is home to many relic organisms that have not yet been studied. Several rare species of animals live here.

Below is a selection of some representatives of the Baikal fauna, with brief description and photo.

Mammals of Baikal

Siberian lynx

Graceful from, adapted to the conditions of the cold Siberian winter. The body length of a lynx reaches 130 cm, and males can be up to 70 cm in height. The average weight of an animal is 25 kg. They have a dense build and a short tail, as well as characteristic tufts at the tips of their ears. Lynxes are distinguished by very large paws - nature has awarded them with them so that it is easier for animals to move through snowdrifts and not fall through. The color of lynxes is smoky or reddish-brown with tan marks.

Brown bear

The largest Baikal, reaching a weight of 250 kg. The body length of a brown bear is 150 cm. They feed on berries, fish, and roots. In winter, it is difficult to meet a brown beast - it hibernates.

Fox

The most cunning of Baikal, which is not at all afraid of people. Foxes often approach tourists and even allow themselves to be stroked. The weight of an adult animal reaches 15 kg, and the length, excluding the tail, is 80 cm. The fox lives up to 18 years in the Baikal region, while in other regions they rarely live to 10. The predator feeds on small game, fish and even worms.

Mustachioed bat

Rare view bat- a medium-sized animal of red color with oblong ears. Settles closer to the mountain zone and goes outside at night. Night bats live in groups of up to 20 individuals. The small animal moves very quickly, and in winter the flocks fly south.

Baikal seal

A true symbol of the legendary lake. Nerpa is found only on Lake Baikal. Due to poachers, the animal is endangered. The fur, meat and fat of this mammal are highly valued, but hunting is not punishable by law. The seal, like seals, loves to swim in the water and get ashore to rest.

Wolverine

A predatory animal from the mustelid class, reaching a length of 100 cm, but not high at the withers. Wolverines love hiking and are often found on different paths. During such a walk, the wolverine looks for future prey. The diet of the beast includes bird eggs, less often - carrion.

moose

Another representative of the largest animals - the weight of the male reaches 500 kg, and the body length is 2 m. Moose most often settle on the coast. They feed on grass and wood bark. The average life expectancy is 30 years. Elk does not like human society, so seeing him is a rarity.

musk deer

Outwardly, the animal resembles an ordinary hornless deer, however, he has one feature - huge fangs! Their presence is associated with the nutrition of the mammal. prefer to eat lichens, and for this they need to pry them from trees. The animal is under the threat of complete extinction due to the demand for musk. Musk deer are small in size - only 90 cm in length and 15 kg in weight.

Muskrat

Semi-aquatic rodent, the average weight of which rarely exceeds 1.5 kg. It is constantly in the water and is impeccably protected from the cold by special fur. Muskrats do not get wet at all, they are distinguished by a light color of the abdomen and darker fur on top. On each limb there are membranes, thanks to which muskrats quickly move under water. Also, for swimming, animals use a specially shaped tail. Muskrats live up to 8 years and choose areas well covered with vegetation. Muskrats have an amazing natural instinct - they are able to build 2-level dwellings and pantries for storing food.

Reptiles of Baikal

Cotton muzzle

Cotton muzzles are the most common snakes of Lake Baikal. These are medium-sized animals, the length of which reaches 70 cm. They differ from other snakes in their pronounced neck and rounded head. There are 4 subspecies: Ussuri, stony, water and eastern muzzle. All of them are found along the shores of the lake.

Mongolian toad

Another cold-blooded creature is the Mongolian toad, whose body length reaches 8 cm. The color of the toad is white-green, becoming darker with age. Settles in estuaries, in swampy areas. The population of the Mongolian toad is small, so it is quite difficult to meet it.

Birds of Baikal

Many settle along the shores of the lake, but the most interesting of them are as follows:

saker falcon

A unique bird of prey from the falconiformes order, similar in size to crows. The back of the bird is dark brown, and the front is light with circles. It feeds on small game and nests high in trees. The bird is in danger of extinction.

Sandpiper

A small creature from the genus of sandpipers, characterized by a very thin and straight beak, which is shorter than that of other birds. Long legs and their special structure help the sandpiper to move on the ground at incredible speed. The bottom of the bird is painted white, and brown in front.

white-tailed eagle

One of the most beautiful birds living on the shore of the lake. This is the most large predator Baikal, who prefers fish as food.

Many Baikal birds require serious protection and protection from poachers, but the bills have not yet been developed.

The rarest animals of Baikal

Reindeer

In you can find reindeer, which is very rare on Baikal. Previously, reindeer inhabited the entire Irkutsk region, but now their numbers have been greatly reduced. This is the only deer species that even females have antlers.

Red Wolf

Another animal that is rarely found anywhere else is the red wolf. A rare predator rarely makes contact with people and prefers to hide. it is small in size, but incredibly strong - in a fight with a leopard or leopard, it may well win.

Irbis

Included in the Red Book and - snow leopard. The most cautious and mysterious representative of the Baikal fauna. Snow Leopard differs in amazing hearing - he is able to notice the rustle at a distance of up to several kilometers. According to scientists, no more than 50 snow leopards live on Baikal. The average weight of a male is 50 kg.

The fauna of Baikal attracts attention and delights no less than the beauty of the lake. However, most of the rare species need serious protection, otherwise their existence on the planet will soon cease.

    Lake Baikal- a unique place on the planet, which is even called one of the wonders of the world. And it is in this reservoir that mammals live, which are not found anywhere else. And scientists are still trying to get to the bottom of the truth about how they got to Baikal.

    Baikal seal- this is the name of this animal, which, although it looks like a ringed seal, is actually an independent species ancient origin. Animals are also called ushkans, and their favorite habitat is the Ushkany Islands, where they have large rookeries.

    Seal- the only mammal that lives only in Lake Baikal.

    If this is a quiz question, then the task lacks the necessary clues, since the nature of Baikal is unique and more than two and a half thousand unique species live here. Having received some hint, in the answer we call the Baikal seal.

    But it is appropriate to add that this is just a local variety of seal, and not a unique species of animal.

    The answer is the Baikal seal.

    The multicellular invertebrates of Lake Baikal are distinguished by a significant species diversity, one of them is the epishura or copepod, the most effective cleaner of the reservoir. In addition to the seal (the only mammal of the lake, the seal (Baikal seal), capable of descending to a depth of 200 m and staying under water for more than 20 minutes), the largest lake animals of Baikal are the common taimen and the Baikal sturgeon. Most endemic animals of Lake Baikal are listed in the Red Book as rare or endangered species. Representatives of the lake fauna of the Davatchans, white grayling, Baikal sturgeon, taimen. From mammals of the terrestrial fauna reindeer, Siberian Mountain goat, black-capped marmot. Of the birds, the black stork, bustard, golden eagle, white-tailed eagle, osprey, demoiselle crane, peregrine falcon, mandarin duck. Of the reptiles, the lizard is quick, the Mongolian foot-and-mouth disease, the patterned snake, the viper. A lot of insects of various orders are also listed in the Red Book. In general, about 1000 species are endemic (that is, living only in Baikal) of Baikal.

    It would be wrong to call this animal the only one that lives only in Lake Baikal. But it could be called the most famous. This Baikal seal- freshwater seal. Already from the name it is clear that it is found only in this lake.

    Lake Baikal is a very large lake and a lot of animals live on it, even those who live only on it. According to statistics, there are 2630 species of animals and plants on Baikal. Of these, 2/3 are found only on Baikal, so it is difficult to list them all. Of all these animals, the correct answer can be called the Baikal nepra, it is definitely not found in other water bodies, even the word Baikal is present in the name.

    Archpriest Avvakum is known for his Old Believer dissidence, for which he paid with his life. While in exile, he wrote an autobiography, which he sarcastically called Life. For the hagiographic genre assumed that the described hero was already dead and canonized, while the archpriest-martyr was alive at the time of writing the work and could not count on canonization by the reformed church.

    Peru sufferer for the right to be stubborn against logic and common sense(and how else to call the desire to die in the struggle against the correction of distortions in the texts?) belongs to the first mention of Baikal seal.

    You can see this and other photos of the baby animal here.

    Lake Baikal is not only the world's unique deepest reservoir of fresh water, but is also famous for its unusual nature. Among the living creatures inhabiting the lake there are many endemics, that is, organisms that cannot be found anywhere else in the world - these are fish, including omul, these are crustaceans and worms, these are insects. But the main attraction and decoration of the animal world of Baikal is the Baikal seal, which zoologists call a relic of the Tertiary period, when the seal, a marine animal, was cut off from the sea and turned into a freshwater one. Nerpa is a freshwater seal. which can weigh up to 130 kilograms and have a length of 165 centimeters.

    Lake Baikal is the deepest lake on Earth, distinguished by its beauty and uniqueness of nature.

    If an animal or plant lives only on certain territory, it is called endemic.

    Scientists prove that more than half of all animal species living in Baikal are endemic.

    But the most famous endemic of Baikal is Baikal seal. This is a freshwater seal. The seal feeds on fish. In winter, when Baikal is covered with ice, the seal makes air for breathing in the ice with its front paws. It is endangered and therefore requires protection.

    Lake Baikal, which is located in Siberia, is the deepest on our planet. A large number of endemic species live in its waters, among which the most famous fish is probably the omul. However, the question is about an animal, a mammal. This is of course Baikal seal.

    Apparently, this question will be very difficult to answer on BV, the list will be too long. Because Lake Baikal is so unique that only the Golopogossky Islands surpass it in the uniqueness of the animal world. 2630 representatives of the animal world live on the lake. And scientists say that 82% of them are endemic, that is, unique.

    Details and description of the animal world

The nature of Baikal is rich and varied. High mountains, turbulent rivers, vast steppes, dense forests, rocky shores, a lake with the purest water, endemic plants and animals. All this is Baikal.



Relief


Baikal is a mountainous country that can be divided into five regions. Ridges and basins of the Baikal region stretch along the western and eastern coasts. To the east of it is Transbaikalia with its flat-topped ridges and intermountain depressions. In the north - Stanovoye Upland with the most high ridges. In the northeast, the Stanovoy Range also rises, the slopes of which are covered with traces of ancient glaciation.
Thanks to this relief, there are many caves and grottoes on the coast of Baikal, and the coastline is replete with capes that form more than 180 bays. The deepest and largest is in the eastern part of the lake.


Rivers


Rich nature of Baikal inland waters. Hundreds of large and small rivers, thousands of streams carry their waters in stormy streams into deepest lake planets. And only one impetuous beauty Angara originates here.


Climatic features


Sharp continental climate of these places is softened due to the influence of huge masses of water concentrated in the lake. Baikal is a powerful heat accumulator. Therefore, the climate here differs from the climate of the East Siberian Plateau. The average temperature in January is -12C, in July the air averages +18C.
But the average annual temperatures on the surface of the water barely reach + 4C. Not everyone dares to swim in Baikal even in summer. The water remains cold, even on hot days the temperature remains at around + 12-13C. Only in shallow water it warms up to + 15-17C.
There is almost always a clear sky over Baikal. The reason is that cold air, passing through mountain ranges, flows into the basin, where it immediately heats up, so clouds almost never form over the lake.



Winds of Baikal


The complex mountainous relief and the proximity of a huge thickness and area of ​​water masses form special types of winds in the atmosphere of Lake Baikal, all of which have their own names.
The Verkhovik wind is born in the Angara valley. It blows along the lake. Soft and long, typical for the end of August.
The most famous Baikal wind- Barguzin. He comes from the central part of the lake - the Barguzin valley. He is short-lived. Direction - across the wave. Brings sunny weather.
Kultuk is a harbinger of storms and bad weather. South Baikal wind in autumn. Often brings fogs.
Mountain wind breaks from the mountain peaks of Baikal. Occurs suddenly, blows in gusts in a northwesterly direction.
The strongest, fastest and most dangerous wind of Lake Baikal is the Sarma mountain wind. Occurs in the river valley. Sarma quickly, just as quickly disappears. You can learn about the approach of this wind from the clouds that float towards the lake, and when they reach it, they dissipate, leaving vast ripples on the water.


natural landscapes


The geographical position of the territory and climatic orographic conditions contributed to the emergence of a huge variety of unique natural landscapes on the territory of Baikal. Taiga forests of fir and larch, forb alpine meadows, relic steppes, river valleys, shallow bays, coastal strips. No wonder the nature of Baikal is an object of cultural world heritage UNESCO.


Vegetation


The flora of Baikal is original and unique. More than three thousand species of plants grow in this area. Many representatives of the flora deserve special attention. For example, centenarians cedars. These Siberian giants reach a height of 30-45 m, the trunk is up to 2 m in diameter. The cedar is called the breadfruit tree, since valuable cedar oil is extracted from its seeds. Cedar wood is of great value. It practically does not rot, is durable and has a pleasant persistent smell that can kill harmful microorganisms. Baikal larch has similar properties.
Dahurian rhododendron or wild rosemary is one of the plant symbols of Lake Baikal. This shrub begins its pink bloom in early May. Taiga is covered with a delicate sweetish aroma. Blooming wild rosemary is not only admired, its flowers are eaten. They are valued for their sweet and sour taste. This plant has medicinal properties.
Rocky slopes of the Baikal ranges, steppe expanses of meadows, sandstone are covered with a carpet of thyme. This herb is widely used in traditional medicine in order to not only improve health, but also prolong life. Thyme has such properties due to the essential oils that are part of this plant.
Another valuable plant in many respects is wild garlic. It is used for food, fermented, salted, pickled. The value of the plant is high. It has volatile properties, rich in organic acids, essential oils, vitamins, proteins.


Animal world


The Baikal fauna is striking in its diversity - more than 2550 species. Wolverine, chipmunk, ermine, weasel, fox, roe deer live here.
The symbol of Baikal is the Barguzin sable. This predatory animal has the most valuable beautiful fur. For its protection, back in 1916, the Barguzinsky Biosphere Reserve was created in Transbaikalia.
The Siberian brown bear is the largest of the Bear family. The weight of males reaches 400-600 kg. Bears are omnivores, but their favorite delicacy on Baikal is the caviar of goby fish, which are found in great abundance in the rivers and streams of this region.
Red deer red deer are found on wide pebbles along the coastline of rivers. This is a nomadic animal. It moves in jumps, makes "vertical" migrations following the seasonal changes in plants.
The common flying squirrel, which is widespread in the Baikal forests, is mistakenly attributed to squirrels. Thanks to the leathery membranes on the sides of the body, flying squirrels can glide from tree to tree with their paws wide apart. During the flight, the flying squirrel steers with its tail and also slows it down. In flight, the animal can overcome up to 60 meters.


Inhabitants of Lake Baikal


Water in the lake all year round remains cold, so a lot of oxygen is dissolved in it. Due to this, the diversity of the animal population in Baikal is incredibly high. Moreover, most of the animals are local endemics, i.e. organisms found nowhere else on earth.
The most famous Baikal endemic is the crustacean epishura. It is through his efforts that the water in Baikal remains the purest.
Another endemic inhabits the bottom of the lake - the Baikal sponge. The color of sponges depends on the depth of their habitat. Most of them are green. They live at a depth of up to about 500 m - this is the boundary of penetration of sunlight. The emerald color of sponges is given by unicellular green algae, which have chosen them as their habitat. At greater depths, the color of the sponges changes from blue to brown, and most are generally colorless. Sponges are found at depths of more than 1000 meters. Their sizes reach one meter.
In coastal areas at the bottom of the reservoir lives great amount protozoa and insect larvae, caddisflies alone, there are more than 50 varieties.
Among the simplest, ciliates are the most diverse. There are more than 80 species of them here. Baikal ciliates are so unique that scientists have identified them as new species, genera and families.


Fish


There is a huge variety of fish in the water column. The ichthyofauna includes about 27 endemic species. Among them is the viviparous golomyanka. The body of this fish is almost half fat, so it seems translucent. Its dimensions are not large, only 15-20 cm. Golomyanka can live at a depth of up to 1000 m.
The Salmon family is widely represented on Baikal. Its most famous representative is the Baikal omul. It is a semi-migratory schooling fish. The favorite delicacy of the Baikal seal and the most important commercial fish.
The representative of the Treskov family is burbot. This is the largest and most prolific fish of Baikal. Its weight reaches 4-5 kg. At one time, the female can produce up to 2.5 million eggs.


Birds


big The number of fish in the waters of Lake Baikal attracts more than 230 species of birds. Gulls, swans, gray herons and ducks, terns, waders, goldeneyes, looters find everything that is necessary for life in the waters of the richest lake. During the day, birds hunt for fish, and at night they fly to rocky grottoes and hummocks. Many on Baikal birds of prey, especially eagles.


Baikal seal


The most interesting inhabitant of the coastal waters of the lake is the seal. The only representative of mammals living in Baikal. The weight of the Baikal seal reaches 70-100 kg. All seal relatives live far in the northern seas. And how the seal ended up in Baikal remains a mystery even today. The seal is a predator that bypasses all its competitors in the struggle for food resources. A thick subcutaneous layer of fat plays the role of a reliable heat insulator, so the Baikal seal does not care about the cold water of the lake. It is not sensitive to temperature changes, and can live in freezing water. Seals are excellent swimmers, they easily overcome great distances. Seals are extremely intelligent animals. Seal hunting is prohibited today.


Ecology


A hundred years ago, the shores of Lake Baikal were covered with impenetrable forests, in which flax animals ruled. Unfortunately, today these places are densely populated by people. Here grew large industrial enterprises, roads and pipelines were built. The nature of Baikal is in danger. Therefore, the main task today is to organize the protection of the unique natural object of Lake Baikal. It is necessary to develop a network of specially protected natural areas this region. And it is better to turn it into one reserve.

Baikal is the most endemic body of water on the planet. Its many animals and plants are found nowhere else in the world. In total, more than 2600 species of inhabitants can be counted. We will find out what the flora of Baikal is, as well as its fauna.

Vegetable world

In Baikal itself, special corals grow, which the locals call the sea sponge. They are soft in water and harden in air. In the middle of summer, slimy and fibrous representatives of the fauna are shown in shallow water. The coastal zone boasts a wide variety of vegetation. These are relic firs, stilted trees with exposed roots, healing cedars, bizarre shapes, various lichens, mosses and much more.

Mainly covered with thick coniferous forest. It is represented by cedars, larches, spruces, pines, firs and birches. Currant bushes, balsamic poplars, Siberian wild rosemary and low alder grow in the lowlands.

It should be noted that the local vegetation is very diverse. But let us briefly consider the flora of Baikal, which is of the greatest interest.

Siberian cedar

Growing on Baikal, this is a fairly powerful tree. In diameter, it reaches up to 1.8 meters, and in height - about 40 meters. The cedar lives up to half a century, and after six decades it begins to produce a rich harvest of nuts. For this, the locals called him bread Siberian tree. More than ten kilograms of nuts can be collected from one trunk. But not every year, because the cones mature only 14-15 months.

Previously, milk, sour cream, halva and butter (instead of sunflower) were made from nuts. But now these crafts are undeservedly forgotten. Today, only the nuts themselves are of interest as fruits and wood of the cedar. It has a mild but persistent odor that can repel moths for decades.

Rhododendrons

A unique representative of the flora of Baikal is rosemary, or, as it is also called, Daurian rhododendron. It is considered a harbinger of the Baikal spring, because it blooms the very first when there is no greenery in the area. At this time, the wild rosemary beautifully paints the coastal zone in pink shades with the petals of its flowers. Most often, this plant forms thickets throughout Eastern Siberia.

Following the wild rosemary, sagaan-dali, the Adams rhododendron, begins to bloom. It is popularly known as the "white wing" or longevity herb. This plant is used to tone and stimulate the kidneys, heart and brain. Adams' rhododendron is also famous for its anti-hangover effect. No more than five flower leaves are added to a glass of tea. The drink is obtained with a strong but pleasant aroma.

You can see the flowering of rhododendron, a representative of the Baikal flora, in the photo above. It is easy to imagine what beauty opens up if you see the flowering of entire thickets of this plant.

Thyme

This plant is also called Bogorodskaya grass. It grows in steppe meadows, rocky slopes and open sandy areas. Distributed in Transbaikalia and the Baikal region. All summer pleases the eye with beautiful pink flowers, which are perfectly visible on the sandy hills.

Thyme contains about one percent essential oils. Therefore, it is enough to crush the branch a little in your hands to feel the characteristic and persistent smell.

Decoctions and infusions from the Bogorodsk herb are widely used for medicinal purposes, to strengthen the immune system, eliminate insomnia, nervous diseases, and in general to prolong life. To prepare the drug, one or two tablespoons of dried herbs and one hundred milliliters of boiling water are usually taken. Shamans, who successfully use the flora of Baikal, throw only a pinch of thyme into the fire for the rite of purification.

Cheremsha

Ramson grows in almost all areas of Baikal. In some places it forms very large thickets.

They begin to collect and sell this representative of the flora in May-June. At this time, the leaves and stems are not yet strong and therefore juicy and soft. Ramson is widely used in cooking. It is used instead of green onions, although it smells like garlic. Also, grass is added to salads, meat dishes, fillings for pies and salted like sauerkraut.

Rhodiola rosea

Perhaps all local residents know which representative of the flora of Lake Baikal has the properties of ginseng. This is Rhodiola rosea, or golden root, as it is also called. It blooms in June-July almost throughout Baikal on rocky slopes, rocks and in mountain crevices.

The plant perfectly relieves fatigue and stimulates all body processes. For medicinal purposes, only rhizomes are used, which are harvested during the flowering period. The largest specimens are dug up, cleaned, cut and dried in the shade. After that, a liquid extract is prepared on alcohol. It is noteworthy that digging the roots of the golden root in the same place can only be done once every ten years.

Cowberry

Baikal is very rich in useful and healing flora. Another popular home remedy is lingonberries. It grows in the Siberian forests, often forming a continuous carpet of dense thickets. With a good harvest, you can collect a full bucket of berries in a few hours. They ripen in August-September.

Lingonberry is good as an antipyretic and diaphoretic. But it is also a great addition to hot meat or tea in the form of jam. The berry is perfectly stored in sugar, water and in the freezer.

Fauna of Baikal

The diversity and beauty of the flora and fauna of the lake leaves no one indifferent. It is enough to look at the photo of the flora and fauna of Baikal, although the living inhabitants are even more shocking.

A unique sponge lives in the lake itself, which scientists recently attributed to the class of animals. It is thanks to the activity of this creature that the water remains crystal clear. Such conditions have a great effect on the diversity of fish. Cod, sturgeon, salmon, catfish and carp species, as well as omul, golomyanka, grayling, perch, pike and whitefish are found in Baikal. But the most famous and popular endemic of the lake can be called the seal.

In the forests live such as bears, wolves, foxes, hares and sables. Also, tourists on their way can meet a ferret, a wolverine, an ermine, a marmot, a squirrel, an elk, a tarbagan, a wild boar, a deer and a wild goat.

There are many different animals on Baikal, but we will consider only the most interesting representatives of the fauna.

Omul

Omul is one of the many commercial species Baikal. This fish is not the largest (weighing up to five kilograms and up to fifty centimeters in length). But a subspecies lives in the lake, which is endemic. There are four populations in total: Severobaikalsky, Selenga, Posolsky and Chivirkuysky omul.

Today in Baikal, the flora and fauna of which is very diverse, experts count about thirty thousand heads of these fish. Compared to previous years, their population is growing slightly. Omul lives no more than a quarter of a century. It feeds on benthic invertebrates, crustaceans and young growth of other fish. The Baikal subspecies is valued because of its unique salty and delicate taste.

Golomyanka

The golomyanka can rightly be called the most numerous. Its total biomass and abundance is twice that of other species. Interestingly, the golomyanka gives birth to live fry, and does not spawn, like others. A similar method of breeding offspring is no longer found in any of the known fish in the world.

The body of the golomyanka also attracts attention. It is half fat and therefore translucent. Through the tail of a large specimen, you can even read the text written in large letters.

Golomyanka lives at all depths: both at the bottom and on the surface. Therefore, it is equally dispersed throughout the water column. This fish is the main food source for the seal, which is just as interesting as other endemic representatives of the flora and fauna of Lake Baikal.

Seal

The Baikal seal is the only seal in the world that lives in fresh water. It is distributed throughout the lake, but especially in its middle and northern parts. To date, experts have about one hundred thousand heads of seals. They weigh 50-130 kilograms, and the body of the largest individual reaches almost two meters in length. These seals live for 55 years, feed on golomyanka and Baikal gobies.

This is a very friendly, curious and easily trained animal. Seals often swim up to drifting ships and stay nearby for a very long time. It is amazing that these seals have learned to breathe under the ice through the air. With their front paws, they tear a hole with a diameter of one to two meters. Moreover, the animal periodically removes frost from it in order to maintain its size. But this is the main air, and smaller additional holes are scattered around.

The seal is the top of the food chain of the Baikal ecosystem. The only danger for her is only a person. Poachers exterminate more cubs with white fur, which is highly valued in their circles.

Barguzinsky sable

This legendary animal is found not only on Lake Baikal, but also throughout the taiga of Russia. Sable is called soft gold, because it has a beautiful, durable, and therefore expensive fur. And the Barguzin species, due to the darkest skin, was generally considered a find at auctions. Because of this, the animal almost died out during the Soviet era, when they began to exterminate the unique flora and fauna of Baikal.

Sable is not the largest animal, the body reaches about half a meter in length. But he has a twenty-centimeter fluffy and beautiful tail. It prefers to live in cedar forests, in the upper reaches of mountain rivers, thickets and among stone placers. The sable shows high activity in the evening and in the morning, during hunting.

Birds of Baikal

Ordinary forest birds live in the vicinity of Lake Baikal, and the lake itself attracts sea fishermen due to the abundance of food. Most often there are various ducks that like to gather on the water in large flocks. The rocky islands are densely populated by gulls, and black cormorants soar over open areas. On the shores you can rarely see screaming swans, geese, and gray herons.

Eagles are held in high esteem by the locals. There are seven species of them on Baikal. These are long-tailed eagles, white-tailed eagles, steppe eagles, pygmy eagles, greater spotted eagles, golden eagles and imperial eagles. There is no such diversity anywhere in Asia.

So, the flora and fauna of Baikal was briefly considered. Now you know what animals and plants are found in this amazing place.