TAIGA HEADING NORTH
Yu.P. Voronov
Institute of Economics and Industrial Engineering, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia
Keywords: taiga, tundra, new opportunities, increased resources, climate change, remote sensing, simulation models, forecasts, spruce, larch, reindeer, federal programs
Abstract
This article examines the northward advancement of the taiga as one of the consequences of global climate change. The objective of the publication is to explore new opportunities for the development of Siberia’s economy, as well as to systematize the key strategies for the economy’s adaptation to evolving conditions. The expansion of the taiga is increasing Russia’s forest resources. Its composition is altering: the proportion of larch and pine is decreasing, replaced by cedar, spruce, and mixed forests. These changes are also affecting the composition of wild animal populations and the structure of fish species in seas, rivers, and freshwater bodies. The author reviews previous research on this topic, systematizes, and integrates the results. We note a current lag between Russian (particularly Siberian) and global science in predicting climate change and its consequences, as well as in the development and application of the mathematical models used for forecasts. Another issue that needs addressing is the approach to the problem under study within public administration, which tends to focus solely on potential damage from climate change. The author argues that the northward movement of the taiga enhances opportunities for the development of the Russian economy.
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