Central Asian northern desert

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Central Asian northern desert
Palearctic
BiomeDeserts and xeric shrublands
Geography
Area663,000 km2 (256,000 sq mi)
CountryKazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan
Conservation
Conservation statusVulnerable
Global 200134

The Central Asian northern desert is an

farmland, overgrazing and poaching
.

Setting

The Central Asian northern desert occupies southern Kazakhstan and most of Uzbekistan. This ecoregion experiences a typical

cold desert climate; January mean temperatures range from −10 °C (14 °F) to −15 °C (5 °F), while July means range from 24 °C (75 °F) to 26 °C (79 °F). On average, precipitation ranges from 100 millimetres (3.9 in) to 150 millimetres (5.9 in) annually. The topography of this ecoregion is varied, featuring salty "solonchak" deserts with a great number of salt flats
, clay deserts, rocky deserts, and a small area of sandy desert in the southern portion of the region.

Flora

The vegetation of this ecoregion is dominated by

Ceratoides papposa, Artemisia terrae albae', var. massagetovii, A. santolina, and A. songarica, shrubs such as Calligonum aphyllum, Ephedra lomatolepis as well as grasses such as Agropyron
fragile.

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

Naja oxiana
).

The

butterflies, termites and ants
.

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.