Chinook Salmon: Large species of salmon inhabiting areas of northern Japan and north-east Siberia. On average they reach 3 feet long but have been recorded to surpass 5 feet. Chinook salmon are recognized by their blue-green heads and silver along the sides, and aberrant black spots on the upper fin, back, and tail. Sea salmon are notably dark green, whereas in fresh water the fish change to red, brown, or purple (Fish Base 2022). Theses salmon thrive in cold water, starting their early lives in freshwater rivers until adulthood when they move to open ocean. A decrease in fish density directly results in the decline in Blakiston's fish-owl population due to fish being their primary source of nutrition (Nakamura, 2018). Chinook salmon make up the largest biomass, organic matter, in the ecosystem. Salmon die after spawning and their carcasses contribute a plethora of nutrients to various plant, animal, and insect species in salt and freshwater. Chinook salmon are the primary food source for the southern resident killer whale, also known as the orca, and is a factor in the decreasing population (EPA, 2017). Conservation status listed as endangered (National Wildlife Federation, Chinook salmon).

Northern Pika: Also called the Japanese guinea pig, this mountain dwelling herbivore lives in high elevations and plays an integral role in the ecosystem. Northern pika is distributed in alpine zones across northern Asia from the Ural Mountains to northern Mongolia, Manchuria, and Hokkiado. Northern pika are ecologically similar to American pika, they prefer mountainous terrain with stones and dry vegetation (Lissovky, 2021). They forage and collect herb stems, twigs of shrubs, mosses, and lichens for winter. Their diet is structured on food for now and for storing (Gliwicz, 2005). Northern pika can be considered a keystone species, which is any given species that is critical for the survival of surrounding species. Pikas utilize burrows as a means of protection and shelter from their harsh habitat. Their burrows are also used by other species in the ecosystem like birds. Other animals find and utilize these food stores when food is scarce during the winter. The food stores also promote new plant growth in the area (Animalia, 2022). Pikas are a primary food for owls, foxes, wolves, bears, and weasels as well (Kazilek, 2009) Pikas Conservation status listed as least concern (Map of life 2021).

Siberian Flying Squirrel: An Old-World flying squirrel found across Eurasia to northern Japan. They can glide from tree to tree in boreal coniferous forests using a glide membrane called the patagium. A patagium on this species spans from the fore and hind limbs. This gliding membrane is lined with a fringe of soft fur. Flying squirrels have large black eyes and thick silvery fur during winter months. During the summer, their fur is a yellow gray to blackish gray (Pascoe, 1999). Flying squirrels are primarily nocturnal and dwell in trees cavities and dreys, which are nests that lie in tree branches (Hanski et al., 2000). Their herbivorous diet consists of berries, seeds, green plants, pinecones, and catkins (Pascoe, 1999). Catkins are long clusters of flowers often found on birch and alder trees. Flying squirrels are preyed upon by owls, martens, and cats. A study found flying squirrels to be a potential umbrella species for polypore species, a group of fungi mostly inhabiting tree trunks and limbs. Increased biodiversity of polyspores were noted in trees occupied by flying squirrels. The presence and protection of flying squirrels may aid in the protection vs harvest of downed or dead trees which host various species of polypore, woodpecker, and grouse species (Hurme et al., 2017). Conservation status listed as least concern (Map of life 2021).

Red Fox: The largest of the fox genus most widespread fox species found across the globe. Vulpes vulpe is the Palearctic counterpart of the North American red fox, Vulpes fulva (Macdonald & Reynolds, 2004). The red fox is medium sized member of the canid family with a slender form and long legs. Their fur is typically red brown but have regional and seasonal variations such as silver and cross. Cross is greyish brown with streaks of black. They're highly adaptable omnivores, known to carry out acts of surplus killing. Surplus killing is when a surplus of prey is available, and the predator abandon the carcasses potentially for later use (Stuhmiller, 2018). Their versatile diet consists of birds, small mammals, fish, reptiles, eggs, and carrion. Foxes are known to prey upon owl fledglings due to their inability to fly (Nakamura, 2018). Their diet of small prey keeps populations within healthy limits. Rodents are a reservoir host for Lyme disease, which is a host that allows a pathogen to live and multiply. Studies have shown the predation on various rodents control the transmission of Lyme disease. Red foxes consume fruit and aids in seed dispersal (Campbell, 2022). Conservation status listed as least concern (Map of life 2021).

Boreal Owl: The boreal owl, also known as Tengmalm's owl, inhabits much of North America and Europe in boreal forests which are rich in birch, fir, and spruce trees (Cornell Lab of Ornithology 2022). This owl nests in old conifer trees in naturally created holes or cavities constructed by woodpeckers. Boreal owl males are between 21 and 25 cm in length and females are larger at 25 and 28 cm (Konopka, 2022). The head has a mix of brown and black mottled feathers with dark brown on the back and wings. A unique feature is three rows of white spots located on their tail when it's folded. Boreal owls are carnivorous and hunt at night like other owl species. The staples of their diet are small mammals, insects, and birds (Cornell Lab of Ornithology 2022). They share the same ecosystem as Blakiston's fish-owl and compete for food. Boreal owls decrease peak densities of vole populations. High vole populations can damage the infrastructure of the boreal ecosystem. Pygmy owls and various species of migratory birds are found to avoid nesting too close to boreal owl nests. This in turn protects resident forest birds and other animals (Korpimäki & Hakkarainen, 2014). Conservation is listed as least concern (Map of life 2021).

Greater Horseshoe Bat: Horseshoe bats are wildly distributed across the globe from North America to Europe. These bats thrive in mixed woodland and pastures with ample cattle, as well as extensive cave systems. Rhinolophus ferrumeqiunum have dark reddish-brown fur and female can have a lighter chestnut-brown color variation. Their average body length is 2.2 to 2.8 inches (University of Bristol, 2005). The diet of the greater horseshoe bat consists largely of moths, beetles, and flies. Changes in season, climate, and insect availability alter feeding patterns of bats (Flanders & Jones, 2009). While Blakiston's fish owl diet is mainly fish and amphibians like frogs and salmonoids. However, the close counterpart Bubo bubo, the Eurasian eagle-owl, bat remains were often found in pellets (Rosina & Shokhrin, 2010). Bats have an evolutionary niche of echolocation, which is high-frequency sounds reflected off solid objects. A study in 2013 hypothesized different climate conditions and cultural drift caused acoustic variation. Rain and humidity in ecosystems are a factor in genetic variation of the species (Sun et al., 2013). Greater horseshoe bats are comparatively larger and have increased echolocation loudness compared to R. euryale and R. hipposideros, two bat species which live in the same habitat (Andreas et al., 2012). This adaptation makes them well suited for a diet of large moths. Conservation is listed as least concern (Map of life 2021).

Death's-Head Hawk Moth: Also known as lesser death's-head hawk moth, this month distributed across the middle east. They can also be found in areas of China and Thailand (Pittaway, 2022). A sphingid moth with a skull-like marking on its back. Sphingid moths, or sphinx moths, are a family characterized by heavy, wide bodies with a pointed abdomen. The antennae widen outward and are typically short. Their wingspan on average is 90-120mm (Pittaway, 2022). Hawk moths are nocturnal voraciously feed on honey and pollinate various petunia and orchid species. Their bodies have been found in honeybee hives (Newman, 2021). Interestingly enough, their bodies are covered in dense, upright scales to provide some protection from honeybee attacks. Hawkmoths are not immediately attacked once inside a beehive as they have been found to be invisible due to smelling like honeybees (Kitching, 2016). Death's head hawkmoth produces a unique squeak-like sound to ward off predators. The sound is produced by passing air through the mouth and triggering a lobe which is source of the sound. As the air is released in a fifth of a second, the sound is produced (Phys.org, 2015). Conservation is listed as least concern (Map of life 2021).

Silver-Washed Fritillary: The fritillary is found across Europe, Asia, and Japan. They live in temperate regions with abundant ash and beech trees. A large species of butterfly with distinct streaks of silver on pointed, orange wings. The wingspan is 72-76mm on average (Butterfly Conservation, 2022). Males in this species are paler and smaller in comparison to females. Adults fly during mid-June until August in loose colonies (Butterfly Conservation, 2022). These butterflies feed on various species of thistle, violet, and bramble. A healthy fritillary population signifies healthy woodlands and thriving wildlife and plants. Fritillary use colors as protection and a warning against predators. Coloration serves as an attractant for potential mates long before pheromones due their excretion late into courtship (Vane-Wright et al, 1993). Male fritillaries flicker their wings at a frequency of 8-10 Hz to initiate courtship (Staddon, 1975). Frequencies about 10 Hz mean female favorability and are correlated with increased ability to evade prey. Butterflies are vital for pollination as bee populations decrease. They aid in supporting genetic variation and disease protection of plants by sharing pollen over varying distances. The fritillary is a low-ranking member of the food chain yet integral for the survival of mammal and bird species as food. Statically two thirds of all invertebrates can be traced to butterflies as a regular food source (Kearney, 2022). Conservation is listed as least concern (Map of life 2021).

Yezo Spruce: This spruce is commonly called dark-bark spruce or Jezo spruce. Yezo are large, coniferous evergreen trees that can grow over 120 feet tall and 60 inches in diameter (Kawa, 2022). These trees thrive in cool, yet humid temperate forests of northeast Asia and Japan. They have flat, linear needles and pollen cones in cluster of up to three. Irregular, brown fissured bark covers the trunk. Yezo can survive in temperatures as low as -20° F (Kawa, 2022). Trees are sometimes illegally cut down in Russia and Japan for the timber and paper industry and have become increasingly rare in the wild (Jezo Spruce 2017). Spruce trees naturally create more shade and cover for moss species. Moss acts as an ideal habitat for saproxylic insects (Felton et al., 2021). for native wildlife A study found the needles on P. jezoensis to be more sensitive to toxic elements compared to those of P. glehnii (Kayama et al., 2005). Jezo spruce were found to have magnesium and nitrogen toxicity from serpentine soil, which is soil with high heavy metal content. Jezo spruce are impacted by a white-rot fungus called Porodaedalea pini. This fungus causes wood degradation and mass loss through continuous production of various lignocellulolytic enzymes, which break down lignin and cellulose (Sunardi et al., 2016). Conservation is listed as least concern (Map of life 2021).