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Transformation of Steppe Communities of Yakutia Due to Climatic Change and Anthropogenic Impact

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Eurasian Steppes. Ecological Problems and Livelihoods in a Changing World

Part of the book series: Plant and Vegetation ((PAVE,volume 6))

Abstract

In the Late Pleistocene vast steppe landscapes covered the territory of Yakutia. Global climatic changes in the Quaternary have transformed the vegetation cover, and now only isolated “islands” of steppes remain, being unique objects of Yakutian nature and very attractive for scientific investigation. They are confined to prominent parts of terraces above floodplains, south-facing slopes of river valleys, and xerophytic belts of depressions in the taiga formed as a result of thermokarst processes (alases). Used as a natural fodder land, Yakutian steppes experience significant anthropogenic stresses. They suffer from overgrazing and recreation load and gradually transform into ruderal communities. This can be aggravated by modern changes in climate, since warming and raising humidification are fatal for xerophytic vegetation formed under the harsh conditions of an ultra-continental climate. For conservation of the unique extrazonal steppe landscapes special recovery methods for disturbed vegetation are required as well as the establishment of steppe reserves in the regions with the highest biodiversity of steppe communities.

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  1. Institute for Biological Problems of Cryolithozone, Russian Academy of Sciences, Siberian Branch, Yakutsk, Russia

    E. I. Troeva & M. M. Cherosov

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  1. E. I. Troeva
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  2. M. M. Cherosov
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Correspondence to E. I. Troeva .

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  1. , Ecology & Biodiversity, Utrecht University, Padualaan, De Uithof 8, Utrecht, 3584 CH, Netherlands

    Marinus J.A. Werger

  2. , Ecology & Biodiversity, Utrecht University, Padualaan, De Uithof 8, Utrecht, 3584 CH, Netherlands

    Marja A. van Staalduinen

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Troeva, E.I., Cherosov, M.M. (2012). Transformation of Steppe Communities of Yakutia Due to Climatic Change and Anthropogenic Impact. In: Werger, M., van Staalduinen, M. (eds) Eurasian Steppes. Ecological Problems and Livelihoods in a Changing World. Plant and Vegetation, vol 6. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-3886-7_14

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