Lake Baikal is the largest and deepest lake in the world, located in the southeastern region of Russia, in the Republic of Buryatia. It is an ancient lake, its age being estimated at 25-30 million years. As a result of its long existence, Lake Baikal is home to an incredible variety of plants and animals, including over 1,700 species of which about 80% are endemic to the area, meaning they are not found anywhere else on earth. Some of the notable animals living within the lake, either endemic to the area or migrating from elsewhere, include the nerpa seal, Baikal sturgeon, desman, omul, and aquatic birds such as the Baikal teal, osprey, and osprey-eagle.
The Baikal seal, also known as the nerpa, is the only freshwater seal in the world, and the only endemic mammal in the lake. The Baikal seal is an ice-dwelling species, living only in the icy waters of Lake Baikal. It has no natural predators and eats fish, crabs and molluscs. The Baikal seal is an important species for the local people who use it for their livelihood, providing fur, food, and various components for traditional healing practice.
Baikal sturgeon is one of the largest and most highly-valued species of fish in the world and survives almost exclusively in Lake Baikal. This species of fish is estimated to have been around for 400 million years and is listed as “endangered” on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Additionally, the Baikal sturgeon is important for many local people as a food source, livelihood, and traditional medicine. The Baikal sturgeon is an anadromous species meaning that it spends part of its life cycle outside the lake before returning to spawn.
Desman is an unique amphibian endemic to the lake and its adjoining rivers, living in complete darkness and feasting on water mites. Cryptobranchus insignis, more commonly known as the desman, is currently recognized as a protected species by the Russian Federation. Desman helps control mite populations and in so doing, helps maintain the balance of the lake’s aquatic ecosystem.
Omul, a species of fish endemic to Lake Baikal, is another important species in the lake’s ecosystem. This fish is commercially harvested, providing an important source of income for the local people. It is high in omega-3 fatty acids, has a healthy amount of protein, and is rich in calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus, which makes it a useful source of nutrition for the people of the surrounding villages.
Baikal Teal Duck
The Baikal teal is an endemic species of duck, making it one of the most iconic species of Lake Baikal. It is a migratory species and it is estimated that there are fewer than 10,000 of these ducks left in the wild. The Baikal teal lives in the shallow beaches of Lake Baikal, eats algae, and spends its winters in coastal lagoons in the south. It is a vital part of the lake’s food web and helps maintain the balance of the aquatic ecosystem.
Osprey and Osprey-Eagle
Ospreys and ospreys-eagles are two species of birds found only in Lake Baikal. The osprey is a medium-sized piscivore and spends a lot of its time in the open areas of the lake searching for prey. The osprey-eagle is a large bird of prey which nests in the rocky cliffs surrounding the lake and feeds on fish, small mammals and occasionally birds.
Climate and Threats
Lake Baikal is affected by human activities such as overfishing, water pollution, air pollution and climate change. These activities threaten the wellbeing of the animals living in and around the lake. Global warming and altered precipitation patterns due to climate change are likely to impact habitats and the food sources of many of the animals endemic to the area and could lead to decreased survival rates.
Conservation Efforts
Conservation efforts have been ongoing and have seen some success. For example, the nerpa population has been stabilized and is predicted to increase in the coming decades. Other important species, like the Baikal sturgeon, have been placed on international endangered species lists, thus putting them under strict protection.
Role of Indigenous Tribes
The tribes of the Buryat and Evenki people, native to the region, play an important role in the conservation of Lake Baikal’s wildlife. They understand the importance of the lake to their culture and livelihood, and are active in their efforts to protect its unique flora and fauna. For example, they continue to practice traditional fishing methods which help maintain the lake’s fish population.
International Cooperation
International cooperation is needed to protect the lake’s unique species and ensure a future for them. Many conservation organizations are currently working with the local tribes and other organizations in the region to develop effective strategies to protect the lake’s diverse wildlife.
