Lukunsky grove
The Lukunsky grove (Russian: Лукунский) is a forest in Russia, Krasnoyarsk Krai, southern bank of Lukunsk River, to the south from Khatanga River.
It is the northernmost forest extension in the world. Ary-Mas to the west from Lukunsky grove is the northernmost isolated forest island, though located approximately 6 kilometres more to the south.
Climate
The vegetation period is approximately 100 days long. Winter lasts from the late September - early October to June, minimum temperatures often fall below −45 °C.
Polar day lasts from early May to early August. The medium temperature in July is 12 °C, often up to 30 °C.
Permafrost in summer thaws 0.3–2 metres deep. The thickness of the permafrost is approximately 200 metres.
Biodiversity
The only tree-form species of Lukunsky grove is Dahurian larch (Larix gmelinii (Rupr.) Rupr.)), but in total there are 268 species of plants, 78 species of birds, and 16 species of mammals. The species composition shows that Lukunsky grove is rather a part of taiga and not tundra. Separate Dahurian larch trees grow up to 5 - 7 metres tall. The Lukunsky grove forms a northern part of wider forest massif extending for hundreds of kilometres to the south.
Conservation and scientific investigations
The Lukunsky grove is a protected territory with an area 90.55 km2, although that area includes other biotopes as well. It forms a part of Taymyr State Nature Biosphere Reserve and has been protected since 1979.
Scientific studies in Lukunsky grove are led by the Taymyr State Nature Biosphere Reserve and major part of results are compiled in yearly nature reports.