Lake Baikal

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Lake Baikal: The Oldest and Deepest Freshwater Lake on Earth

Lake Baikal, located in southern Siberia, Russia, stands as a testament to the wonders of nature and geological history. Inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996, this vast expanse of water holds significant importance for its unique characteristics and rich biodiversity. 

Covering about 31,500 square kilometers, an area roughly the size of Belgium, Lake Baikal is the oldest freshwater lake in the world, with an estimated age of around 25 million years. It is also the largest freshwater lake by volume, containing roughly 20 percent of the world’s unfrozen freshwater reserves, making it an invaluable natural reservoir of global importance.

Lake Baikal reaches a maximum depth of about 1,700 meters, a result of its formation within the Baikal Rift Zone, an active continental rift where the Eurasian Plate is gradually pulling apart, particularly along the Amur microplate. This ongoing tectonic activity has created a deep, elongated basin that continues to evolve today.

Baikal's isolation, unique location and age have contributed to the development of an exceptionally diverse and unusual freshwater ecosystem. Often referred to as the "Galapagos of Russia," the lake hosts thousands of plant and animal species, more than half of which are endemic. Notable examples include the Baikal seal (nerpa)—the only exclusively freshwater seal species in the world—the golomyanka, and the Baikal omul, a fish found nowhere else on Earth.

Baikal’s biodiversity also extends to its microscopic life. Endemic planktonic organisms such as the Baikal epischura, a tiny crustacean, play a crucial role in filtering the water and maintaining its exceptional clarity. Diverse algae species, and microorganisms like the Baikal water flea and the Baikal cyclops form the foundation of the lake’s food web and contribute to the overall health and stability of its ecosystem.

The exceptional value of Lake Baikal to evolutionary science lies in its isolated and ancient environment. This isolation has allowed unique adaptations to occur among its inhabitants, offering valuable insights into the processes of speciation and evolution. Furthermore, the study of these organisms can provide clues about the early stages of life on Earth and help scientists better understand the potential for life elsewhere in the universe.

Overall, Lake Baikal represents a remarkable example of the beauty and complexity of our planet's natural world. Its age, depth, and unique biodiversity make it an irreplaceable treasure for humanity, offering opportunities for scientific discovery, ecotourism, and cultural enrichment. As knowledge of this extraordinary lake continues to grow, it serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of preserving and protecting the planet’s most precious natural resources.

UNESCO Description of the World Heritage Site

Situated in south-east Siberia, the 3.15-million-ha Lake Baikal is the oldest (25 million years) and deepest (1,700 m) lake in the world. It contains 20% of the world's total unfrozen freshwater reserve. Known as the 'Galapagos of Russia', its age and isolation have produced one of the world's richest and most unusual freshwater faunas, which is of exceptional value to evolutionary science.

UNESCO Justification of the World Heritage Site

The Committee inscribed Lake Baikal as the most outstanding example of a freshwater ecosystem on the basis of natural criteria (vii), (viii), (ix) and (x). It is the oldest and deepest of the world´s lakes containing nearly 20% of the world´s unfrozen freshwater reserve. The lake contains an outstanding variety of endemic flora and fauna, which is of exceptional value to evolutionary science. It is also surrounded by a system of protected areas that have high scenic and other natural values. The Committee took note of the confirmation of the revised boundaries of the site, which correspond to the core areas defined in the Baikal Law (excluding the five urban developed areas). It also noted that the special Lake Baikal Law is now in its second reading in the Duma. Finally, it noted concern over a number of integrity issues including pollution, which should be brought to the attention of the Russian authorities.

Encyclopedia Record: Lake Baikal

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