Alasy wetlands, Russia Photograph by © WWF-Canon/Hartmut JUNGIUS   Asian Palearctic: Russia, Kazakhstan Temperate Grasslands, Savannas, and Shrublands   162,400 square miles (420,500 square kilometers) -- about twice the size of Kansas Critical/Endangered

· Ribbon Forests
· Special Features
· Did You Know?
· Wild Side
· Cause for Concern
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Ribbon Forests

In the sandy soils of this forested steppe, pine trees grow in long belts, creating so-called "ribbon forests" that tie together a diverse mix of habitats. Whether in forests, swamps, or grasslands, ample wildlife can be found here.

Special Features

Located between northern Kazakhstan and southern Russia, this ecoregion forms a transitional zone between broadleaf forest and temperate steppe. The region is dominated by aspen forests, aspen-birch forests, and pine forests growing in small groves known locally as koloks. Plants found here include boreal, sub-boreal, and steppe vegetation, with grasslands and swamps found throughout the ecoregion as well. Summers are hot and windy, and the ecoregion experiences periodic droughts. Shallow lakes are numerous, containing both fresh water and salt water.

	The Eurasian badger lives in groups in an extensive network of sets, or burrows. These complex set systems create problems for industrialized agriculture, as sets can be hazardous to tractors or other heavy machinery and may destabilize irrigation canals.

Wild Side

The forest steppe attracts a rich variety of bird species, including the imperial eagle and the short-toed eagle. In and near lakes, ospreys, white-headed ducks, flamingoes, and thin-billed curlews can all be found as well. Rodents show the most species diversity among the mammals, although many larger mammals inhabit the forest steppe as well, including wolves, corsac foxes, ermines, roe deer, and Eurasian badgers. Only two species of amphibians make their homes here--the common newt and the ground frog.

Cause for Concern

These forests are repeatedly cut and used for pasture and hay fields. Birch forests are most intensively developed for agriculture. Ribbon pine forests are subject to frequent forest fires, and overgrazing by domestic animals is another threat. To make matters worse, no protected areas exist in this ecoregion; the few remaining koloks and areas of meadowed steppe and swamps should be formally protected before they are lost forever.

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