Alashan Plateau semi-desert
Alashan Plateau semi-desert | |
---|---|
Palearctic | |
Biome | Deserts and xeric shrublands |
Geography | |
Area | 673,397 km2 (260,000 sq mi) |
Country | China, Mongolia |
Coordinates | 40°45′N 100°30′E / 40.750°N 100.500°E |
The Alashan Plateau semi-desert ecoregion (WWF ID: PA1302) covers the southwestern 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 1,000 to 2,500 metres (3,300 to 8,200 ft). 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.[1][2]
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. However, parts of it still receive enough precipitation to support areas of semi-arid desert plant communities.[3]
Climate
The climate of the ecoregion is a
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 (
There is one mammal endemic to the Alashan Plateau, Przewalski's gerbil.
Protections
The Gobi Gurvansaikhan National Park is in Mongolia's north-central part of the ecoregion.
See also
References
- ^ a b "Alashan Plateau semi-desert". World Wildlife Federation. Retrieved February 23, 2020.
- ^ "Map of Ecoregions 2017". Resolve, using WWF data. Retrieved September 14, 2019.
- JSTOR 27851544.
- ^ Kottek, M.; Grieser, J.; Beck, C.; Rudolf, B.; Rubel, F. (2006). "World Map of Koppen-Geiger Climate Classification Updated" (PDF). Gebrüder Borntraeger 2006. Retrieved September 14, 2019.
- ^ "Dataset - Koppen climate classifications". World Bank. Retrieved September 14, 2019.