Eastern Anatolian montane steppe
Eastern Anatolian montane steppe | |
---|---|
Ecology | |
Realm | Palearctic |
Biome | temperate grasslands, savannas, and shrublands |
Borders | List
|
Geography | |
Area | 168,381 km2 (65,012 sq mi) |
Countries | |
Conservation | |
Conservation status | Critical/endangered[1] |
Protected | 8,202 km2 (5%)[2] |
The Eastern Anatolian montane steppe is a
Geography
The ecoregion occupies the
The northern part of the ecoregion is in the watershed of the upper
The cities of Tabriz, Erzurum, and Yerevan are located in the ecoregion.
Climate
The climate is continental, with warm summers and cold winters. Annual precipitation ranges from 400 to 600 mm, and generally falls evenly throughout the year. Rainfall is lower (200–300 mm annually) in the rain shadow of the high mountains. Strong and cold winds are frequent, particularly on exposed ridges and peaks, and can limit the growth of trees.[1]
Flora
Plant communities include desert steppe, semi-desert steppe, mountain steppe, woodland, alpine, and wetlands.
Desert steppe is found in the driest areas, and consists of low
Mountain steppes consist of herbs, shrubs, and grasses, which grow higher and are more diverse than the desert and semi-desert steppes. From 1500 to 2200 meters elevation, the main plant associations are cushion-like formations of
Open steppe woodlands are predominantly of juniper (Juniperus) and almond. The trees form a sparse canopy, underneath which is a shrub layer of Pistacia, Berberis, and Rosa, and an herb layer with species of Astragalus and Artemisia. Scattered areas of oak woodland occur between 800 and 2000 meters elevation where moisture and soils are favorable.[1]
Wetlands occur around the ecoregion's lakes and streams. Wetland vegetation is predominantly reeds and rushes, including
Alpine plant communities are found on the high peaks, including Ararat and Süphan. Characteristic plants are herbs and geophytes, with species of Draba, Dracocephalum, Oxyria, Polygonum, Veronica, Trollius, Scilla, Primula, and Gentiana verna.[1]
Fauna
Large mammals include
Protected areas
A 2017 assessment found that 8,202 km2, or 5%, of the ecoregion is in protected areas.[2] Protected areas include Charoimagh Protected Area, Sahand Protected Area, Marakan Protected Area, and Kiamaky Wildlife Refuge in Iran, Sevan National Park, Lake Arpi National Park, and Khosrov Forest State Reserve in Armenia, Mount Ararat (Ağrı Dağı) National Park, Süphan Dağı and Lake Akdoğan in Turkey, and Arpachay State Nature Sanctuary in Azerbaijan.
External links
Eastern Anatolian Montane Steppe
- "Eastern Anatolian steppe". Terrestrial Ecoregions. World Wildlife Fund.