Why the vast East Siberian taiga is a forest of extremes and quiet resilience

Countries & Cities · Published 30 September 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Spanning millions of square kilometers, the East Siberian taiga is a land of harsh subarctic extremes where temperatures swing from 40 °C to −65 °C. Despite its vastness and status as a relatively intact wilderness, this unique biome faces mounting pressure from industrial logging and shifting economic interests.

The East Siberian taiga is a massive biogeographic region located in the heart of Russia, stretching across 20 degrees of latitude and 50 degrees of longitude. Its climate is defined by high continentality, resulting in long, dry, and exceptionally cold winters. Unlike the neighboring West Siberian taiga, this region is characterized by an absence of large bogs and wetlands, featuring instead a topography of wide, flat plains and karst landscapes. Precipitation is notably low, ranging from 200 to 600 millimeters annually, with levels decreasing as one moves from east to west.

Vegetation in this ecoregion is dominated by dense forests of Dahurian larch, with Siberian larch and various hybrids appearing toward the western reaches. The understory is typically blanketed by cranberry and bilberry bushes. As the landscape transitions toward the south, the forest composition shifts to include more pine, birch, and poplar species. In specific areas like the basins of the Lena, Nizhnyaya Tunguska, and Angara rivers, the forest gives way to steppe and shrub-steppe communities, reflecting the region's ecological diversity.

The ecoregion serves as a critical habitat for Russia's highest populations of brown bears, Eurasian wolves, moose, and wild reindeer. However, the integrity of this wilderness is increasingly threatened. While historically stable, the region now faces challenges from poaching and intensive logging. Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, foreign demand for timber—particularly from Chinese entrepreneurs—has led to widespread deforestation. These activities, facilitated by high levels of corruption and legal frameworks like Federal law 473-FZ, have sparked protests from local indigenous groups and conservation organizations like the World Wide Fund for Nature, as they threaten both traditional ways of life and endangered species like the Siberian tiger.

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