LAKE BAIKAL By Daniel Lewis and Tom Zochowski. BIOLOGY There are more than 2600 species and varieties of animal and over 1000 species of plants in Baikal.

LAKE BAIKAL

By Daniel Lewis and Tom Zochowski

BIOLOGYThere are more than 2600 species and varieties of animal and over 1000 species of plants in Baikal.  New species are also discovered from time to time. It is believed that at only 70-80% of Baikal's living organisms are known to science. In the past when Russian science wasn’t at it’s present state, an average of 10 species were discovered annually.. About 40% of the plants and 85% of animal species living in Baikal are found only in Baikal.

CLIMATE

Because of the amount of water in Baikal and its mountainous surroundings, it has an unusual climate.  It’s warmer in the winter, and cooler in the summer than surrounding areas by about 10 degrees.

GEOGRAPHY

Lake Baikal is the world’s oldest and deepest lakes, situated nearly in the center of Asia in a huge stone bowl.  It is 445m above sea level and 31470 square kilometres.  The deepest part of the lake is 1673m and average is 730m.  It is also one of the clearest and contains over 20% of the world’s fresh water.  

CULTURE

This lake has great significance in the culture of the Russians.  It is to them what the grand canyon is to Americans.  It’s always something that’s been admired for its beauty and biodiversity.  Folk songs have been written about it as well. Two of these songs are well known in Russia and its neighboring countries, such as Japan.

POLITICSThe Baikal territory is extremely complicated with its political arrangements. Political borders split the Baikal watershed practically in half between Russia and Mongolia, although Lake Baikal itself lies entirely within Russia. Within the watershed there are 3 separate states and 1 Autonomous Region, 12 different Mongolian states, over 45 national parks, strict nature reserves and significant cultural sites in both regions, and over 25 counties in Russia and 116 counties in Mongolia

ECONOMICSDifferences in economic development both within the Russian states of the Baikal watershed and among the Russian and Mongolian portions of the watershed are significant. First, overall economic development within each country, as measured by GDP per capital, was $4000 for Russia and $2200 for Mongolia. In Russia, both Irkutsk and Buryatiaʼs economies are based on their considerable mineral wealth of gold, coal, oil and gas.  Tourism is also an upcoming economic sector within the Baikal Basin.

ISSUE #1

In 2008 the Russian government proposed an idea that they would import nuclear waste from other countries and store is in a site around 65 miles from Lake Baikal.  This storage of nuclear waste could possibly lead to contamination and ruin this world heritage site.  

SOCIAL-Surrounding communities would be drastically affected by this.  Nuclear waste mutates DNA, causes cancerous growth and other abnormalities, and also affect the reproductive system

ECONOMIC-This is probably another one of Russia’s get rich quick schemes.  It is true that it would generate insane revenue, but at what cost?

POLITICAL-Siberia would become recognized as a region for nuclear waste disposal.  This obviously doesn’t portray a good impression for the country.

ENVIRONMENTAL-Nuclear waste accidents during shipment or processing could do massive damage to the lake region and its ecosystem.

CULTURAL-Lake Baikal has always been recognized as one of the most beautiful lakes in the world, and a global treasure.  If it’s contaminated and polluted by nuclear waste, this reputation will be destroyed.

ISSUE #2 Lake Baikal and the space around it is a conflict of interests to many organizations. Since the political holds on the lake and the space around is very confusing. Some organizations want to use the space for economic purposes while others are interested in protecting its environmental aspects. There is conflict within many aspects since no agreement can be reached due to political complications.

SOCIAL-This creates problems and a state of uncertainty as no agreement can be reached. Many people are being obstructed from the opportunity of jobs because governments cant decide if they would like to go the economic or environmental route.

ENVIRONMENTAL- Lake Baikal is under attack from pollution and since the governments cant reach an agreement to stop it every moment that is spent debating, is a moment where unique species are harmed.

POLITICAL-This is causing conflict within governments as they can not reach an agreement. This causes unrest between and stressed relations between themselves.

ECONOMIC- The governments are being denied funding for any environmental efforts so they are tempted to go the economic route which would cause an increase in revenue. Is that a good trade money for the destruction of one the wonders of the world?

CULTURAL-This causes tension between cultures as they are involved with their respective governments. This reflects back into their everyday life as their cultures conflict with each other and makes their cultures harder to maintain as they will be under fire from the others.

The End

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