The "Works of outstanding MSU scientists" series, dedicated to the 270th anniversary of Lomonosov Moscow State University, has published a collective monograph, "Biodiversity of Russia's mountain biomes" (edited by G.N. Ogureeva, Professor, Department of Biogeography, Moscow State University). The collective of 23 authors included two staff members from our institute: L.A. Khlyap’s works characterizing mammals in most orobiomes, and V.V. Bobrov’s works on amphibians and reptiles in all mountain biomes.
V.A. Sadovnichy, Rector of Moscow State University and Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences, presented the book series dedicated to the 270th anniversary of Moscow State University, which is included in the preface to the monograph.
This monograph presents a biogeographical overview of 31 mountain biomes (orobiomes), which are displayed on the scientific reference map "Biomes of Russia" (2015, 2018). The biogeographic characteristics of 35 biomes in the lowland part of the country were previously published in the book "Biodiversity of biomes of Russia. Lowland biomes" (2020). For each orobiome, its position in the natural structure of the region is briefly described, along with altitudinal spectra and data on the flora (vascular plants, bryophytes, lichens), vegetation, fauna (mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians), and animal populations of the entire biome and its geographic variants. The article reflects the relationship between the environmental conditions of the orobiome and its altitudinal zones with the quantitative characteristics of ecosystem biodiversity, their current state, and the degree of study. Information on specially protected areas (SPNA) is also provided. The monograph provides a unified scientific basis for summarizing existing information and obtaining further knowledge about the biodiversity of biomes at the species and ecosystem levels, which is important for both the theory and practice of monitoring and improving the country's environmental network.
The book opens with the chapter "Biome concepts in biogeography: mountain biomes (orobiomes)" prepared by the editor-in-chief G.N. Ogureeva, followed by descriptions of 31 orobiomes, according to the classification of terrestrial ecosystems, related to 5 biomes: tundra, boreal (taiga) forests, hemiboreal broadleaf-coniferous and small-leaved forests, coniferous-broadleaf and broadleaf forests and the steppe biome.
This publication is recommended for geographers, biologists, ecologists, and a wide range of readers interested in Russia's natural environment, its biodiversity, and conservation prospects.
Publisher's Note:
Biodiversity of Mountain Biomes in Russia (Edited by G.N. Ogureeva). Moscow: Moscow University Press. 2025. 791 pages.
The monograph was awarded a Diploma from the Russian Book Publishers Association in the category "Best Publications in the Natural Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine."
For inquiries regarding the book, please visit the website "MSU Publishing House. A Series of Books by Eminent Scientists Dedicated to the 270th Anniversary of MSU."