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Species atypical for Yakutia found in Arctic zone due to climate warming

The number of wasps has been growing in Yakutia's Arctic zone

MOSCOW, March 20. /TASS/. Animals and insects atypical for the tundra zone, including roe deer and wasps, are recorded in Yakutia's north due to climate warming, Innokenty Okhlopkov, director of the Institute of Biological Problems of the Cryolithozone (the Russian Academy of Sciences' Siberian Branch), told the Polar Bear Universe conference.

"Due to climate change, we can observe forest species have been expanding into the Arctic zone. For many years, the institute's scientists have seen Siberian roe deer on the Arctic Ocean coast. The number of wasps has been growing in Yakutia's Arctic zone. This needs attention and studies," he said.

Earlier reports said climatic changes in Yakutia and Chukotka force polar bears to change their habitats and, on the contrary, help brown bears to explore new territories. Experts believe that shifting habitats may lead to interspecific conflicts and hybrid interbreeding, and also increase risks for humans.

About conference

The Polar Bear Universe 7th international conference runs on March 19-21 at the Skolkovo Innovation Center in Moscow and in Chukotka's Anadyr. Following the conference, the country plans to create a permanent international expert platform on Arctic biological diversity. TASS is the conference's general news agency.

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