| Karakoram-West Tibetan Plateau alpine steppe | |
|---|---|
 | |
 Ecoregion territory (in purple) | |
| Ecology | |
| Biome | Montane grasslands and shrublands |
| Borders | |
| Bird species | 172[1] |
| Mammal species | 45[1] |
| Geography | |
| Area | 143,300 km2 (55,300 mi2) |
| Countries | |
| Conservation | |
| Habitat loss | 1.4065%[1] |
| Protected | 18.28%[1] |
TheKarakoram-West Tibetan Plateau alpine steppe is amontane grasslands and shrublandsecoregion found in parts ofPakistan,China,Afghanistan, andIndia.
The Karakoram-West Tibetan Plateau alpine steppe is an area of high-elevation grasslands covering 143,300 square kilometres (55,300 mi2). It is centered on theKarakoram Range, west of theHimalaya Range. It also includes nearby ranges, such as theLadakh Range.
The mean annual precipitation in the ecoregion varies from 200 to 900 millimetres (7.9 to 35.4 in), 90 percent in the form of snow.
Most of this ecoregion consists of grasslands andherbaceous plants. Protected slopes and ravines containsSalix denticulata,Mertensia tibetica,Potentilla desertorum,Juniperus polycarpus,Polygonum viviparum,Berberis pachyacantha,Rosa webbiana, andSpiraea lycoides. Where vegetation ceases to grow, around 4,500 metres (14,800 ft), are foundDelphinium cashmerianum,Glechoma tibetica,Silene longicarpophora,Potentilla fruticosa, andNepeta spp.
Shrublands and woodlands are found in valley bottoms. These includeHippophae rhamnoides,Myricaria elegans,Salix viminalis,Capparis spinosa,Tribulus terrestris,Pegamum harmala,Sophora alopecuroides, andLycium ruthenicum. A few remnant steppe forests ofJuniperus seravschanica andJuniperus indica are still found here.
Sheep in this ecoregion include theMarco Polo sheep,Tibetan argali, andurial. Goats include themarkhor andibex.
The sheep and goats, as well as smaller mammals, make this ecoregion excellent habitat for thesnow leopard.
Both thebrown bear andHimalayan black bear are found here.
Bird species richness is low. Common birds includeGuldenstadt's redstart,Himalayan monal,rosefinches,raptors, andvultures.
Much of the montane habitat in this ecoregion lies in protected areas. These include
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