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Mongolia is one of the few countries, which possesses a great range of
natural ecosystems within their borders. Mongolia is located at the
junction of Siberian taiga and Central Asian prairie steppe and deserts,
and therefore specific species of fauna and flora are included in the
territory. Largely unknown to the rest of the world until recent years,
Mongolia's unique combination of diverse landscapes, unspoiled habitat,
and rare wild plant and animal species, clear water and fresh air has
started to attract international nature conservation organizations and
has become the subject of growing international attention. Mongolia is
divided into six basic natural zones, differing in climate, landscape,
soil, flora and fauna.
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High Mountain Zone
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Mongolia is a mountainous country. Though the high mountain zone, which
includes the highest elevations of these ranges, makes up only about 5
percent of Mongolian territory, average elevation of the country is quite
high, at 5,184 feet (1,580 m.) above sea level. In the Far Western Altai,
Khuiten Peak in the top parts of Tavan Bogda Mountains reaches 14,350
feet (4,374 m.), the highest point in the country. Altai, Khangai and
Khentii mountain ranges and the Khuvsgul Mountains are higher than the
height of the forest zone. Many mountain areas of Mongolia show signs of
previous Ice Ages, with U-shaped valleys and boulders left behind by
retreating glaciers. The climate in the high mountain zone is extremely
cold, and there is a short growing season. Located above tree line, the
zone is characterized by tundra, alpine-sedge meadows, highland swamps,
and lichen-covered boulder fields.
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Taiga (forest) Zone
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Taiga zone which covers 5 percent of Mongolian territory occurs only
in northern Mongolia, where it is found in the Khentii Mountains, in
the mountainous terrain around Lake Khuvsgul, back part of Tarvagatai
mountain range, first higher place near Orkhon river and some parts of
Khan Khukhii mountain range. The taiga zone experiences more
precipitation (12 to 16 inches annually) and lower temperatures than
most of Mongolia, therefore plant growing period is comparatively short.
Stepping considerably affects the edge of Taiga zone and steppe elements
penetrated to sides and along wide trenches of shorter mountains.
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Forest Steppe Zone
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The forest steppe zone covers about 25 percent of the territory, and is
one of the most heavily populated areas in Mongolia. The forest steppe
zone occurs in the northern frontier of Central Asian prairie steppe
and desert and southern frontier of Eastern Siberian forests Khentii,
Khangai branch mountainous, the Mongolian Altai Mountains occurs in the
eastern frontier, in the Orkhon and Selenge river basins, and in the
Khyangan mountains. This zone is the real exapmle of steppe and forests
coexist in mountainous area and affect each other. Watershed of the world
occurs in the zone and besides this haphazard usage from the forests is
dangerous for convicting the zone into mountainous steppe zone. Its
pastures, wood, and water make it an important area for herders and their
livestock.
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Steppe Zone
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Steppe covers nearly the entire far-eastern part of Mongolia, extending
west in a narrowing band just south of Khangai and Khan Khukhii
Mountains all the way to the Depression of the Great Lakes. Mongolia's
steppe lies in the eastern part of the vast plain that begins in
Eastern Europe and reaches to the steppes of Manchuria. The steppe zone
includes a distinctive group of flora and fauna. In the central and
western areas of the country, the steppe provides many of the nation's
most important grazing lands for domestic livestock. The steppe is
vulnerable to impacts from overgrazing, agriculture, roads and other
human activities.
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Desert Steppe Zone
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Desert steppe occupies a large band, more than 20 percent of Mongolia's
area, extending across the country between the steppe and desert zones.
This zone includes the Depression of the Great Lakes, the Valley of the
lakes, and most of the area between the Khangai and Altai mountain
ranges, as well as the eastern Gobi area. The zone includes many
low-lying areas, soils with salt pans, and small ponds. The climate is
arid with frequent droughts and annual precipitation of 4-5 inches
(100-125 mm.), and frequent strong winds and dust storms that strongly
influence the area vegetation. Still, many nomadic herders of Mongolia
occupy this zone.
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Desert Zone
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The Gobi is one of the great deserts in the world, occupying much of
the southern Mongolia and northeastern China and composing the northern
part of Central Asian deserts. Starkly beautiful, the expanses of the
fabled Gobi are rugged and inhospitable. Vegetation is sparse here, and
the zone displays a remarkable variety, from rocky mountain massifs to
the flat pavement-like areas of the super-arid desert, from
poplar-fringed oases to vast out wash plains and areas of sand dunes.
These areas provide habitat for many threatened species of Mongolia,
including the wild camel, Gobi bear, and wild ass. Climate is extreme.
Precipitation may fall only once every two to three years and averages
less than 4 inches (100 mm.) annually. Temperatures climb as high as
104° F (40° C) in summer, and fall as low as 104° F
(-40° C) in winter. During the spring and fall, dangerously strong
winds buffet the area with dust storms and wind-speeds up to 140 km/hour.
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