Tyva Republic: Flora and Fauna

A Chapter Revealing the Delicate and Splendid Nature of Tyva, Where Cedars Keep Ancient Secrets While the Elusive Snow Leopard Hides in the Mountains...

Earlier, we have highlighted the nature of Tyva Republic, marvelling at its majestic mountains, steppes, and lakes that captivate travelers worldwide. Today, we invite you on a fascinating journey through these lands to explore the unique plants and animals, calling this Siberian sanctuary home.

Abundance and Diversity of Flora in Tyva

The forest is the foremost wealth of the Republic. It covers an immense area of over 8 million hectares, acting as the lungs of the region, and serving as a habitat for innumerable species. The landscape is dominated by mighty coniferous giants: The light-loving larch, the majestic Siberian cedar, pine, and fir. Hardwood trees such as poplars and aspens bring diversity to the scenery, crafting scenes of unique and breathtaking beauty.

Tyva's flora is not merely an endless taiga, but an intricate tapestry of distinct altitude zones, each woven with its own unique character and diversity of life. The local flora is astonishingly diverse, comprising over 2,070 species of vascular plants.

The alpine zone astonishes with its rugged yet diverse plant cover. Here, in the thin air and cold climate, you might find:

• Brushwood (low birch thicket) – low, creeping willows and dwarf birches that have adapted to the fierce winds;
• Chilly alpine steppes and mountain tundras, where only the most resilient mosses, lichens, and low herbs endure;
• Barrens – peaks largely stripped of growth, a domain of stone and perpetual frost;
• Lush mountain meadows, set ablaze in summer with the multicolored fire of alpine flowers.

The mountain-taiga belt envelops the mid-altitude mountains. Here, forests climb the slopes of the Sayan Mountains like mighty warriors. The dominant tree species are cedar and larch. Beneath their dense, interlocking canopies, a thick ground cover of mosses, ferns, berry shrubs, and shade-tolerant herbs takes form.

The forest-steppe zone has a patchwork nature. Sunlit steppe plots, where a mix of herbs, grasses, shrubs, and rocky areas give way to patches of forest, primarily consisting of larch and birch-larch trees. Meadow plants are mainly found in river valleys and around many lakes, creating green oases amidst the mountains and steppes.

Tyva's plant life is not only beautiful but also highly vulnerable. 174 species of vascular plants of the Tyva Republic are listed in the local Red Book. Among them are unique and beautiful representatives of the flora, such as Altai onion, calamus, Dagana grouse, and Mongolian dogwood. These species are a living legacy of Tyva, and their preservation is a task of exceptional importance.

Wildlife Realm: From Snow Leopard to Black-Tailed Gazelle

Tyva's fauna is as varied as its landscapes. According to the latest data, the territory of the republic is home to 86 species of mammals, about 364 species of birds, 9 species of reptiles, and up to 40 species and subspecies of fish.

Within the secluded taiga roam the quintessential creatures of Siberia: Brown bear, lynx, wolverine, wolf, moose, sable, and maral. Roe deer pastures here, while Siberian ibex reigns on the steep cliffs. The rivers and lakes teem with valuable fish like grayling, lenok, taimen, and are home to the otter. Taiga's birdlife creates a vibrant symphony: The gabbling of capercaillies, the calls of black and hazel grouses, the drumming of woodpeckers, and the chirping of nutcrackers.

In the dry and sunny steppes, particularly in the remarkable Uvs Lake Basin, you’ll find the fleet-footed black-tailed gazelles, tiny Daurian pikas, tolai hares, long-eared hedgehogs, jerboas, and Mongolian gerbils. Among reptiles, various lizard species such as the swift spotted toad agama are common. Predatory species such as the corsac fox and wolf hunt in these areas, while the rare and cautious Pallas’s cat lurks in the grass. The steppe bird life features quails, rooks, crows, magpies, and jackdaws. However, the true gem of these lands is the great bustard, or Shepherd's wild turkey, which is listed in the Red List.

The high mountains are the realm of the most uncommon and tenacious species. Alongside the snow leopard, the slopes are inhabited by argali and alpine ibexes. Overhead soar the golden eagle, fish hawk, saker falcon, and the gerfalcon, which is listed in the Red List.

Tyva's waters abound with life as well. They host about 20 species of game fish including lenok, taimen, grayling, pike, ide, perch, whitefish, and the relic sterlet. While the rivers in the Uvs Lake Basin are notable for Central Asian fish like osman and buttermouth perch.

Such an abundance of fauna requires great responsibility. 89 species in the Tyva Republic are protected and included in the local Red List. Among these are the iconic snow leopard, the Dalmatian pelican, the otter, the great bustard, and many others.

That is Tuva in all its facets – truly one of a kind! Would you like to explore its beauty for yourself?