Hindu Kush alpine meadow
Hindu Kush alpine meadow | |
---|---|
Ecology | |
Realm | Palearctic |
Biome | Montane grasslands and shrublands |
Geography | |
Area | 28,326 km2 (10,937 sq mi) |
Country | Afghanistan |
Coordinates | 35°45′N 70°45′E / 35.75°N 70.75°E |
The Hindu Kush alpine meadow ecoregion (WWF ID: PA1005) covers a portion of the Hindu Kush Mountain Range in northern Afghanistan. Most of the terrain is between 3,000 and 4,000 meters in elevation. This portion of the Hindu Kush is very mountainous, with steep slopes. About half of the alpine meadow is bare rock or gravely soils with sparse vegetation. The remainder supports herbaceous cover of grasses and cushion plants. Human habitation is scarce and follows the river courses in the valleys.[1][2][3][4]
Location and description
The ecoregion occurs in two high-altitude sections, bisected by the
Climate
The climate of the ecoregion is Humid continental climate - Warm, dry summer sub-type (Köppen climate classification Dsb), with large seasonal temperature differentials and a warm summer (no month averaging over 22 °C (72 °F), and at least four months averaging over 10 °C (50 °F). The driest month between April and September has less than 1/3 the precipitation of the wettest month.[5][6]
Flora and fauna
The plants of the ecoregion have developed adaptations to the harsh, cold, and arid conditions. Because of the fertility of the soil where it exists, and the moisture from snow melt, there are extensive fields of alpine meadows. Cushion plants grow on rocky areas, achieving some protection against the cold by trapping heat against the ground.[4]
Over 200 species of vertebrates have been recorded in the ecoregion. Animals of conservation interest include the near threatened Argali (
Protected areas
There are no protected areas in the ecoregion.[3]
References
- ^ "Hindu Kush alpine meadow". World Wildlife Federation. Retrieved March 21, 2020.
- ^ "Map of Ecoregions 2017". Resolve, using WWF data. Retrieved September 14, 2019.
- ^ a b "Hindu Kush alpine meadow". Digital Observatory for Protected Areas. Retrieved August 1, 2020.
- ^ a b c d "Hindu Kush alpine meadow". 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.