Suleiman Range, Pakistan Photograph by WWF/ Hartmut Jungius   Pakistan and Afghanistan Temperate Coniferous Forests   7,800 square miles (20,100 square kilometers) -- about the size of Massachusetts Vulnerable

· Under Cover of Conifers
· Special Features
· Did You Know?
· Wild Side
· Cause for Concern
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Under Cover of Conifers

This ecoregion is a feast for the senses. Amid the scent of pine and fir trees, you can hear the calls of thousands of birds. Mammals are also plentiful in this ecoregion÷although all animals here are at risk.

Special Features

The Eastern Afghan coniferous forest spans from the hills and valleys of eastern Afghanistan to the mountains of western Pakistan. Because monsoons are a regular occurrence, two types of forests have developed based on the influence of rain. Areas between 2,100 and 2,500 meters (or 6,890 to 8,200 feet) receive less monsoon rain and thus support dry coniferous species such as Pinus gerardiana and Quercus baloot. As you move higher, continuous rain has caused temperate deciduous trees to mix with conifer species.

	The rhesus macaque has cheek pouches to carry food in while it forages. The animal consumes a wide variety of food, including leaves, fruit, flowers, berries, insects, grains, grass, ground herbs, and even algae.

Wild Side

This ecoregion harbors the largest remaining populations of Chiltan markhor -- or wild goat -- whose numbers were dropping significantly until a national park was recently dedicated to help protect the species. Other mammals range from large predators to small foragers, including the Himalayan black bear, leopard cat, gray langur, rhesus macaque, jackal, and red fox. Smaller mammals include voles, bats, flying squirrels, rats, and field mice. This ecoregion is also a prime spot for migrating birds. Approximately 30,000 migratory birds stop in the northern part of this ecoregion alone. Waterfowl include pochards, coots, moorhens, black-necked grebes, greater flamingos, spoonbills, shelducks, and marbled teals. The largest populations of the highly threatened western tragopan and long-billed bush-warbler are found here as well.

Cause for Concern

Several threats are increasing in this ecoregion. Logging for timber and fuel remains a major threat, but forests are also being replaced by construction sites for industrial development. Freshwater lakes and wetlands have been severely affected by irrigation channels. Garbage, sewage, and industrial waste are all polluting this ecoregionās rivers and lakes as well.

For more information on this ecoregion, go to the World Wildlife Fund Scientific Report.