TOMSK, September 12. /TASS/. Scientists of the Tomsk State University (TSU) during an expedition to Yamal - the Siberian Arctic - saw there "oases" of untypical flora, which develop there as results from people’s interference with the local ecosystems and of the permafrost’s thawing. This phenomenon may be used for economic purposes, TSU’s expert Sergei Loiko told TASS.
Oases in former sand pits
During the summer expedition, the scientists found lush hills with small lakes between them. The oases have developed where sand pits used to be, the expert said.
"If people break the moss-lichen layer, seeds of lush and high plants get into the soil," he said. "Those plants drain the soil, and then they transform the soil, making it more fertile."
"Besides, the underground ice, which has been accumulating mineral nutrients for years, is melting," he continued. They [the minerals] get into the soil, boosting lush vegetation"
In the areas, where sand pits used to be, now grow daisies, dandelions, poppies, several kinds of wormwood, cereals, sedge, horsetail and willow, which are untypical for those areas. Scientists also point to earthworms, which are rare in the Arctic regions.
Over recent 30 years, the scientist said, the number of green areas in the permafrost has been growing - this process develops in about 20% of the Russian Arctic’s territory. Growing vegetation is registered in floodplains, on the sites of dried lakes, in southern Arctic regions and in various places of human activities.
"We can see ‘more green’ along pipelines, and near buildings in cities, along roads, at dumps," he continued. "All those areas are greener than the surrounding vegetation."
Fertile Arctic
According to the expert, this process is not alarming. It develops the Arctic regions’ ecosystem. Moreover, local people may use it to upgrade the soil.
"The Arctic’s soil may be rich. In some experiments, oat grew well in the southern tundra. Forage grasses can be grown there," he said. "On Yamal, for example, lichen is eaten up, and it is what deer eat in winter. Over time, the locals will have to make feed stock for animals, and here this method could be very helpful."
According to the Tomsk State University, the registered changes, caused by the anthropogenic influence, may stimulate not only the spectrum of plants growing in the Arctic, but also the spectrum of the fauna. Over coming years, to the Arctic zone may come animals, for which that areal is not typical.