Outside Russia very little is known about the terrestrial ecology vegetation biogeographical
patterns and biodiversity of the enormously extensive ecosystems of Yakutia Siberia. These
systems are very special in that they function on top of huge layers of permafrost and are
exposed to very severe and extreme weather conditions the range between winter and summer
temperatures being more than 100 degrees C. The soils are generally poor and human use of the
vegetation is usually extensive. Main vegetation zones are taiga and tundra but Yakutia also
supports a special land and vegetation form caused by permafrost the alas: more or less
extensive grasslands around roundish lakes in taiga. All these vegetation types will be
described and their ecology and ecophysiological characteristics will be dealt with. Because of
the size of Yakutia covering several climatic zones and its extreme position on ecological
gradients Yakutia contains very interesting biogeographical patterns which also will be
described. Our analyses are drawn from many years of research in Yakutia and from a vast body
of ecological and other literature in Russian publications and in unpublished local reports.
The anthropogenic influence on the ecosystems will be dealt with. This includes the main
activities of human interference with nature: forestry extensive reindeer herding cattle and
horse grazing etc. Also fire and other prominent ecological factors are dealt with. A very
important point is also the very high degree of naturalness that is still extant in Yakutia's
main vegetation zones.
