Alashan Plateau semi-desert


The Alashan Plateau semi-desert ecoregion covers the south-western portion of the Gobi Desert where precipitation in the mountains is sufficient for a short part of the summer to support sparse plant life. The terrain is basin and range, with elevations from. The region straddles the China-Mongolian border, with the Tibetan Plateau to the south, and the more arid regions of the Gobi to the north and east.

Location and description

The ecoregion encompasses the desert basins and low mountains bordered by the Lop Desert on the west, the Tibetan Plateau and Qilian Mountains to the south, the Gobi extension of the Altai Mountains on the north, and the Helan Mountains to the southeast. This part of the Gobi desert is in the rain shadow of the Tibetan Plateau, but parts of it still receives enough precipitation to support areas of semi-arid-desert plant communities.

Climate

The climate of the ecoregion is Cold semi-arid climate. This climate is characteristic of steppe climates intermediary between desert humid climates, and typically have precipitation above evapotranspiration. At least one month averages below. Annual precipitation on the Alashan Plateau is under 150 mm/year.

Flora and fauna

Plant communities of the Alashan Plateau use various strategies to form and survive. While the ecoregion does have areas of sand and bare rock, there are also low-lying areas with plants that are salt-tolerant, and adapted to the low levels of precipitation. Shrubs such as saxaul and the semi-perennial Reaumuria soongorica add stability to the soil and attract associated species. Areas with more moisture support semi-desert communities of wormwoods, and Calligonum mongolicum. Runoff from the Qilian Mountains support some grasslands, and the Yellow River, which runs along the eastern edge, supports river forests of desert poplar and Tamarix species.
There is one mammal endemic to the Alashan Plateau, Przewalski's gerbil.

Protections

The Gobi Gurvansaikhan National Park is in the north central part of the ecoregion, in Mongolia.