Editing Geography of Russia (section)

====Taiga====
Taiga, the most extensive natural area of Russia, stretches from the western borders of Russia to the Pacific. It occupies the territory of the Eastern Europe and West Siberian plains to the north of  ° N and most of the territory east of [[Yenisei River]] taiga forests reach the southern borders of Russia in Siberia taiga only accounts for over 60% of Russia. In the north–south direction the eastern taiga is divided (east of the Yenisei River), with a continental climate, and west, with a milder climate, in general, the climate zone is moist, moderately warm (cool in the north) in the summer and harsh winter, there is a steady [[snow]] cover in the winter. In the latitudinal direction, the taiga is divided into three subzones - northern, middle and southern taiga. In the western taiga dense spruce and [[fir]] forests on wetlands alternate with [[pine]] forests, shrubs, and meadows on the lighter soils. Such vegetation is typical of the eastern taiga, but it plays an important role not fir and larch. Coniferous forest, however, does not form a continuous array and sparse areas of birch, [[alder]], [[willow]] (mainly in river valleys), the wetlands - marshes. Within the taiga are widespread fur-bearing animals - [[sable]], [[marten]], [[Stoat|ermine]], [[moose]], [[brown bear]], [[Wolverine]], [[wolf]], and [[muskrat]].<ref name="NRE">{{rp|84&ndash;109}}</ref>
[[File:Moose in lake.jpg|thumb|left|Moose]]

In the taiga is dominated by [[podzolic]] and cryogenic taiga soils, characterized by clearly defined horizontal structure (only in the southern taiga there is sod-podzolic soil). Formed in a leaching regime and in poor [[humus]]. Groundwater is normally found in the forest close to the surface, washing [[calcium]] from the upper layers, resulting in the top layer of soil of the taiga being discolored and oxidized. Few areas of the taiga, suitable for farming, are located mainly in the European part of Russia. Large areas are occupied by [[sphagnum]] marshes (here is dominated by podzolic-boggy soil). To enrich the soil for agricultural purposes [[Lime (material)|lime]] and other [[fertilizer]]s should be used.

Russian Taiga has the world's largest reserves of coniferous wood, but from year to year - as a result of intensive logging - they decrease. Development of hunting, farming (mainly in river valleys).