Baluchistan xeric woodlands
Baluchistan xeric woodlands | |
---|---|
Ecology | |
Realm | Palearctic |
Biome | Deserts and xeric shrublands |
Borders | List
|
Geography | |
Area | 289,391 km2 (111,734 sq mi) |
Countries | |
Coordinates | 32°45′N 70°15′E / 32.75°N 70.25°E |
Conservation | |
Protected | 3.3%[1] |
The Baluchistan xeric woodlands ecoregion (WWF ID: PA1307) covers the middle elevations of a series of mountain ranges of western Pakistan and northeastern Afghanistan, reaching 1,200 kilometres (750 mi) from the Arabian Sea in the south to the Hindu Kush Mountains and the Himalayas in the north. The characteristic vegetation is xeric (dry) woodlands of shrubs and herbaceous cover. The region has rich biodiversity but relatively few endemic species.[2][3][1][4]
Location and description
In the south, the ecoregion rises from the coastal ranges into the
Along the south-western side of the ecoregion are the very dry
The soils contain gypsum and are classified as pedocals (high in calcium carbonate and low in organic matter). In the north of the region the soils on the ridges are limestone, clay, gravel and stone.[4]
Climate
The climate of the ecoregion is Hot semi-arid (Köppen climate classification (BSh)). This climate is characteristic of steppes, with hot summers and cool or mild winters, and minimal precipitation. The coldest month averages above 0 °C (32 °F).[5][6] Precipitation averages 150 mm/year. Hot winds from the north occur in summer, raising dust storms in the south with velocities up to 110 mph.[4]
Flora and fauna
67% of the territory is bare or sparse vegetation. 9% is shrubland, 8% is herbaceous vegetation, and 9% is cultivated cropland.
While the ecoregion does not support a large number of endemic species, it has a rich biodiversity due to the variety terrain, altitude, and landscape aspect. Over 300 species of bird have been recorded, the majority of which are migratory.
Protected areas
About 3.3% of the ecoregion is officially protected.[1][7] These protected areas include:
- Chinji National Park
- Dhrun National Park
- Kirthar National Park
- Margalla Hills National Park
- Nuristan National Park
- Sheikh Badin National Park
- Bajwat Wildlife Sanctuary
- Borraka Wildlife Sanctuary
- Chorani Wildlife Sanctuary
- Chumbi Surla Wildlife Sanctuary
- Dureji Wildlife Sanctuary
- Ghondak Dhono Wildlife Sanctuary
- Islamabad Wildlife Sanctuary
- Khabbeke Lake Wildlife Sanctuary
- Koh-e-Geish Wildlife Sanctuary
- Kolwah Kap Wildlife Sanctuary
- Mahal Kohistan Wildlife Sanctuary
- Manglot Wildlife Sanctuary
- Maslakh Wildlife Sanctuary
- Ras Koh Wildlife Sanctuary
- Raghai Rakhshan Wildlife Sanctuary
- Rasool Barrage Wildlife Sanctuary
- Shashan Wildlife Sanctuary
- Ziarat Juniper Wildlife Sanctuary
References
- ^ a b c d e "Baluchistan xeric woodlands". Digital Observatory for Protected Areas. Retrieved August 1, 2020.
- ^ "Baluchistan xeric woodlands". World Wildlife Federation. Retrieved March 21, 2020.
- ^ a b "Map of Ecoregions 2017". Resolve, using WWF data. Retrieved September 14, 2019.
- ^ a b c d e "Baluchistan xeric woodlands". The Encyclopedia of Earth. Retrieved August 28, 2020.
- ^ 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.
- PMID 28608869.