Khangai Mountains conifer forests

The Khangai Mountains conifer forests ecoregion (WWF ID: PA0512) covers the northern slopes of the Khangai Mountains in central Mongolia. The montane taiga supports a populations of elk, deer, wild boar, wolves, and brown bear. The diversity of plants and animals has benefited from the relative isolation and low human population of the area.[1][2]

Khangai Mountains conifer forests
Tarvagatai Mountains in Khangai range
Ecoregion territory (in purple)
Ecoregion territory (in purple)
Ecology
RealmPalearctic
BiomeTemperate coniferous forests
Geography
Area2,849 km2 (1,100 sq mi)
CountryMongolia
Coordinates45°50′N 101°0′E

Location and description

The ecoregion is small, only 100 km from west to east, and 25 km from south to north. It covers the northern ridges and valleys of the Tarvagatai Range of the Khangai Mountains, at elevations of 2,000–2,600 metres (6,600–8,500 ft). Stream valleys drain the slopes northward into the Ider River, which runs below the northern edge of the ecoregion.[3][4] The northernmost slopes of Mongolia's Tarvagatai Nuruu National Park are in the ecoregion.

Climate

The climate of the ecoregion is Cold semi-arid climate (Köppen climate classification (BSk)). This climate is characteristic of steppe climates intermediary between desert humid climates, and typically have precipitation is above evapotranspiration. At least one month averages below 0 °C (32 °F).[5][6]

Flora and fauna

The ecoregion is a thin band of taiga; the slopes above the valley floors are generally forested with Siberian larch (Larix sibirica) and Cedar. Large mammals include Red deer (Cervus elaphus), Siberian roe deer (Capreolus pygargus), and Wild boar (Sus scrofa). A portion of the ecoregion is now protected by the Tarvagatai Nuruu National Park.

See also

References
  1. "Khangai Mountains conifer forests". World Wildlife Federation. Retrieved March 21, 2020.
  2. "Map of Ecoregions 2017". Resolve, using WWF data. Retrieved September 14, 2019.
  3. "Khangai Mountains conifer forests". Encyclopedia of Earth. Retrieved April 14, 2020.
  4. "Mapmaker Interactive". National Geographic. Retrieved April 18, 2020.
  5. Kottek, M., J. Grieser, C. Beck, B. Rudolf, and F. Rubel, 2006. "World Map of Koppen-Geiger Climate Classification Updated" (PDF). Gebrüder Borntraeger 2006. Retrieved September 14, 2019.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  6. "Dataset - Koppen climate classifications". World Bank. Retrieved September 14, 2019.
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