{"id":8186,"date":"2023-10-20T20:00:20","date_gmt":"2023-10-20T19:00:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lakebeyond.com\/?p=8186"},"modified":"2023-10-20T20:00:20","modified_gmt":"2023-10-20T19:00:20","slug":"where-is-lake-baikal-found","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lakebeyond.com\/where-is-lake-baikal-found\/","title":{"rendered":"Where Is Lake Baikal Found"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Background Information<\/h2>\n

Lake Baikal is located in southern Siberia, Russia, within the boundaries of the Irkutsk Region, Republic of Buryatia, and Tuva Republic. It is the deepest and oldest lake in the world and an ancient site of biological evolution. Baikal contains over 20% of the world’s liquid fresh water, a little more than 5,500 cubic kilometers. It is sometimes referred to as the “Galapagos of Siberia” because of its unique flora and fauna, including unique forms of lake trout, sturgeon, invertebrates, and many kinds of birds, some of which migrate to other parts of the world.<\/p>\n

Relationship to Environment<\/h2>\n

Lake Baikal has been recognized as a great source of biodiversity and ecological integrity, and is also recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a World Network of Biosphere reserves, and a Ramsar site. Its relationship to the environment is of even greater importance because of its immense volume of water. The vastness of the lake means that it helps balance the water cycle of the region, reduces water loss to the atmosphere, and modulates the climate of the surrounding area.<\/p>\n

Significance<\/h2>\n

The significance of Lake Baikal is further enhanced by its grandeur, with its crystal-clear depths, powerful rapids, rugged mountains rising on three sides, and the vast taiga cloaking the entirety of the lake’s eastern and southern shores. The lake is also a favored destination for tourists, especially in the summer months, when the waterways can become quite crowded. In recent years, the tourism industry has grown substantially and is a major source of employment in the area.<\/p>\n

Threats to Lake Baikal<\/h2>\n

Despite its rich biodiversity, Lake Baikal is threatened by human activities. Pollution from industrial and agricultural sources, as well as the illegal hunting of Baikal’s unique species, have already caused extensive environmental damage. In addition, the lake is threatened by the development of an oil pipeline running through the region, which is likely to cause even more damage to the lake’s delicate ecosystem.<\/p>\n

International Collaboration<\/h2>\n