Selenge-Orkhon forest steppe


The Selenge-Orkhon forest steppe ecoregion stretches across north central Mongolia, and follows the Selenga River northeast into Russia. The ecoregion is itself at high elevations, but surrounded by higher mountain ranges. As a transition zone between taiga and steppe, it features conifer forests on the north slopes of mountains, and pine/aspen stands on southern slopes. It has an area of.

Location and description

The ecoregion spans roughly 1,000 km, from the Khan-Khokhi mountains in the Baruunturuun district of western Mongolia, to Ulan-Ude, the capital city of Buryatia in Russia, just east of Lake Baikal. Along the way it passes through the drainage basin of the upper Selenge River and its tributaries, the valley of the Orkhon River, and along the Selenge River Valley into Russia. In the middle, the ecoregion wraps around the higher forested area of the Khangai Mountains. The mean altitude of the area is 800-1200 meters, with peaks ranging up to 2900 meters.

Climate

The region has a Subarctic climate. This climate is characterized by high variation in temperature, both daily and seasonally; with long, cold winters and short, cool summers with only three months averaging over. There is sufficient precipitation to support sparse stands of trees, surrounded by steppe vegetation. The mean temperature at the center of the ecoregion is in January, and in July.

Flora and fauna

Northern slopes of mountains in the ecoregion feature coniferous forests, while the southern slopes typically feature 'open steppe' forest stands that are primarily Scots pine and aspen. About 40% of the area is dominated by Stipa cleistogenes.

Protections

The ecoregion is under pressure from grazing. There are relatively few protected areas for an ecoregion of its size. One is Khan-Khokhi Khyargas Mountain National Park, which covers much of the Khan Khokhii mountains, a small mountain range northeast of Khyargas Nuur.