How do forests on the western slopes of the Southern Urals differ from forests on the eastern slopes?

The forests on the western and eastern slopes of the Southern Urals differ significantly due to variations in moisture and climate, as the western slopes receive more precipitation than the eastern side.12

• Western Slopes: These more humid foothills are characterized by mixed forests growing on gray mountain-forest soils. They feature a diverse range of broad-leaved species, including oak, small-leaf linden, and elm, which are interspersed with Siberian fir and Siberian spruce. These broad-leaved forests typically extend up to an elevation of 2,100 feet (640 meters), above which coniferous trees become dominant.1
• Eastern Slopes: In contrast, the eastern slopes are drier and lack broad-leaved trees, with the exception of the linden. Instead, the landscape is dominated by magnificent pine forests, often accompanied by some larches.1

These differences reflect the broader climatic influence of the mountains, which act as a barrier to moisture-bearing westerly winds, resulting in a more arid environment on the eastern side of the range.2