Mongolian BioProvince

This BioProvince (as defined by Armen Takhtajan) includes the Mongolian Altai Mountains, the basin of the Great Lakes between the Altai and Hangayn mountains, the Ala Shan, Gobi and Taklimakan deserts, the Ordos Plateau, the Tsaidam and Tarim basins and the Lob Nor depression. The Ordos Plateau situated in central-north China could be regarded as a bioprovince or sub-bioprovince in its own right and has recently been defined as one of the eight floristic endemic centers of China. Much of the northern areas of the BioProvince as whole consist of Upper Proterozoic igneous and metamorphic rocks while southern areas include Upper Ordovician fossiliferous limestone, Devonian intrusives, Permian volcanics and sandstone, and Jurassic conglomerates. The area has an arid continental climate with low levels of precipitation and wide variations in seasonal temperature. Winters are extremely cold and dry and can be virtually devoid of snow. Most of the year's precipitation occurs in summer as a result of southeasterly monsoons. Its ancient flora includes various taxonomically and geographically isolated taxa.

The following accounts for this BioProvince have been written or will be written with particular reference to endemic and locally important species. Accounts available are displayed in green or yellow. Those displayed in red are either in the pipeline or awaiting expert contributions.

 

Index
Major Ecosystems
Endemic Vascular Plant Flora
Bryophyte Flora
Fungus Flora
Lichen Flora
Invertebrate Fauna
Amphibian Fauna
Reptile Fauna
Bird Fauna
Mammal Fauna
Conservation Status