Kazakh semi-desert


The Kazakh semi-desert is an ecoregion in the deserts and xeric shrublands biome, located in Kazakhstan. The climate is semi-arid and continental, with a total annual precipitation of, and mean temperatures in January averaging and in July. It is a transitional area between the steppes and the deserts of Central Asia and supports flora found in both biomes, predominantly grasses, particularly Stipa species, and shrubs such as Artemisia species. A number of mammals and birds are found in this ecoregion but the habitat is threatened by overgrazing and fragmentation from human. However, a recent reduction in livestock numbers in Kazakhstan is allowing the native plants a greater opportunity to regenerate.

Setting

The Kazakh semi-desert is an ecotone between the Kazakh Steppe to the north and the Central Asian northern desert to the south, running in a band across central Kazakhstan. The climate here is semi-arid and highly continental. Precipitation averages between and annually. Mean temperatures in January range from and, while July means are between and. Annual average temperatures are around. The region's topography consists of vast, flat plains and salt flats broken by dissected plateaus.

Flora

As a transition between steppes and deserts of Central Asia, this ecoregion supports flora found in both biomes. Grasses, more dominant in the north, include various Stipa species and tipchak. To the south, shrubs come to dominate, mainly Artemisia species. Vegetation on the saline plains consists of Artemisia pauciflora, A. schrenkiana, A. nitrosa, Atriplex cana, Anabasis salsa, and Camphorosma monspeliaca.

Fauna

Mammals in the ecoregion include the critically endangered saiga antelope, Karaganda argali, goitered gazelle, Pallas's cat, gray wolf, European badger and marbled polecat. Przewalski's horse is native to the ecoregion, but has not been seen in it since 1968.
Avian species include the common crane, demoiselle crane, red-headed bunting, larks, wheatears, pipits, black-bellied sandgrouse, Pallas’s sandgrouse, steppe eagle, golden eagle, peregrine falcon and the saker falcon.

Conservation status and threats

Agriculture, overgrazing, and fragmentation of habitat from human encroachment are the main threats to this ecoregion's integrity, and its conservation status is listed as "critical/endangered". However, recent and dramatic reductions in the number of livestock in Kazakhstan have resulted in large areas having a greater chance for rehabilitation. No areas in this ecoregion are strictly protected, and some refuges do not adequately preserve local ecosystems.