Scientist Aims to Revive Mammoth Steppe in Russian Arctic to Combat Climate Change

In the Russian Arctic, Nikita Zimov, a scientist and business resident of the region, is leading a unique scientific experiment to restore the Ice Age ecosystem. Zimov, who has been working at his father's research station since the age of 20, is on a mission to bring back the "mammoth steppe" that once dominated the northern landscape.

The Pleistocene Park, located in northeastern Yakutia, is the site of Zimov's ambitious project. By introducing large herbivores like mammoths, bison, and musk oxen, he aims to transform the tundra into a carbon-capturing steppe, similar to the one that existed during the Late Pleistocene era. Zimov believes this will help slow down the effects of global warming, as the deep-rooted pasture grasses can absorb and store more carbon dioxide than the current moss and lichen-dominated vegetation.

The experiment is not just about studying the ecosystem; it is a concerted effort to change the future by rewilding the Arctic. Zimov, who has a strong scientific background but has not formally defended a PhD, is driven by a desire to return nature to its pre-human state. He continues the work started by his father, Sergei Zimov, who founded the research station in the 1980s.

Despite the challenges of working in the harsh Arctic environment, the Pleistocene Park team, which includes volunteers and remote assistants, perseveres in their mission. They are currently focused on expanding the park's size and introducing predators like Amur tigers and cave lions to create a balanced, self-sustaining ecosystem. The research results will be crucial in attracting support and scaling up the project to have a meaningful impact on the climate.