Central Asian northern desert
Central Asian northern desert | |
---|---|
Palearctic | |
Biome | Deserts and xeric shrublands |
Geography | |
Area | 663,000 km2 (256,000 sq mi) |
Country | Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan |
Conservation | |
Conservation status | Vulnerable |
Global 200 | 134 |
The Central Asian northern desert is an
Setting
The Central Asian northern desert occupies southern Kazakhstan and most of Uzbekistan. This ecoregion experiences a typical
Flora
The vegetation of this ecoregion is dominated by
Fauna
Mammals of the Central Asian northern desert include the long-eared hedgehog (Hemiechinus auritus), tolai hare (lepus tolai), various species of gerbil and jerboa, saiga antelope (Saiga tatarica), steppe polecat (Mustela eversmanni), goitered gazelle (Gazella subgutturosa ), onager (Equus hemonius) and suslik (Spermophilus spp.).
Birds of this ecoregion include wheatears (Oenanthe isabellina, O. deserti), desert warbler (Sylvia nana), brown-necked raven (Corvus ruficollis), the endangered houbara bustard (Chlamydotis undulata), black-bellied sandgrouse (Pterocles orientalis), golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), steppe eagle (Aquila rapax), Egyptian vulture (Neophron percnopterus), and the saker falcon (Falco cherrug).
Numerous reptiles can be found in this ecoregion, including numerous
The
.Conservation status and threats
The conservation status of this ecoregion is listed as "vulnerable". The primary factors jeopardizing its integrity include the transformation of natural habitats into agricultural land, excessive hunting and poaching activities, and the utilization of plants for purposes such as firewood and silk production. Protected areas include the Barsa-Kelmes Nature Reserve on an island in the Aral Sea, the Kaplankyr reserve, the Ustyurt reserve, and the Altyn-Emel National Park in Kazakhstan.
References
- "Central Asian northern desert". Terrestrial Ecoregions. World Wildlife Fund.
- World Wildlife Fund, ed. (2001). "Central Asian northern desert". WildWorld Ecoregion Profile. National Geographic Society. Archived from the original on 2010-03-08.