Near Markakol Lake, Kazakhstan Photograph by A. Kliouchnik   Palaearctic Montane Grasslands and Shrublands   34,800 square miles (90,200 square kilometers) -- about the size of Indiana Vulnerable

· Almost the Arctic
· Special Features
· Did You Know?
· Wild Side
· Cause for Concern
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Almost the Arctic

If you were to travel into the Altai Mountains of Central Asia, you'd want to bring insulated, waterproof boots and plenty of warm clothing. And you'd want to bring a camera. This elevated ecoregion has an arctic character, with extremely cold winter temperatures and vegetation typical of the northern tundra. But it's also an amazingly scenic spot with clear rivers, patches of forests and meadows, and some of the rarest and most treasured wildlife on Earth, including the snow leopard.

Special Features

The Altai Mountains are the most northerly mountains in Central Asia, separating the hills and plains of western Siberia from dry basins to the south. More rain falls here than on any other mountain range in Central Asia, from about 10 inches (250 mm) per year at the lower elevations to 20 inches (500 mm) at higher elevations. Because the climate is so cold, rates of evaporation are low. That means lots of water saturates the land, creating many rivers, lakes, and marshy tundra areas. Forests of Siberian larch and Siberian fir give way to plateaus of lichens and mosses in the upper elevations. Cushion plants, mosses, and fungi dominate the tundra areas. Several protected areas currently lie within this vast ecoregion, including the "Golden Mountains of Altai" World Heritage Site, which totals 6,222 square miles 16,115 sq. km.

	The white-gray fur of the snow leopard, covered with brownish spots, is an ideal camouflage in a rocky landscape frequently covered with snow.

Wild Side

Many rare species roam within the Altai Alpine Meadow and Tundra ecoregion, including the manul cat, Mongolian gazelle, and Altai argali (a wild sheep). Lynx and musk deer dwell within the forests, venturing out into the scrubby or rocky habitats at higher elevations. Golden eagles, imperial eagles, and peregrine falcons circle the skies, keeping a close watch for prey on the ground. Alpine creatures such as Altai pikas, arctic ground squirrels, and Siberian chipmunks are well adapted to the chilly climate. And the magnificent snow leopards here comprise one of the largest populations of these rare wild cats in Russia.

Cause for Concern

Because this region is so remote and access to it is so difficult, it has so far escaped many of the development pressures common to other regions. Development may also be slower here because the region lies on the border of four different countries. Still, mining occurs in some areas, and grazing and hunting threaten some wild mammals.

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