Altai Sayan

The whole Altai-Sayan eco-region of the Altai Mountains has approx. 50% of the area located in Russia (Altai region, Altai Republic, Khakassia, Tuva, Southern Krasnojarsk, and Buriyat), 30% in Mongolia (the six aimags (provinces) Bayan-Olgi, Khovd, Uvs, Khovsgol, Gobi-Altai, and Zhavhan aimags), and 10% each in China (the northern provinces of Xinjiang Autonomous Region in China) and Eastern Kazakhstan. It is running roughly east - west within the Russian and Mongolian territories.

The area of the Mongolian Altai-Sayan contains geographically distinct biomes, consisting of high mountain taiga, tundra, forest, wetland, steppe and desert that share a large majority of their species, dynamics and environmental conditions.

The Altai-Sayan mountains are extremely rugged, with rich forests stretching high into the mountain valleys, with glaciers in the higher valleys. Due to the vertical climatic conditions and the isolation of distribution areas the Mongolian Altai-Sayan represents all the major ecosystems of the entire Altai-Sayan eco-region and is home for many rare and endangered species.

Altai Sayan

Mongolia has established six strictly protected areas (SPA), three national parks and two nature reserves in the Altai-Sayan eco-region.

Although crossed by the political borders of Russia, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, and China, the Altai-Sayan eco-region shares not only common natural heritage, but also cultural heritage and historical treasures. Local human population in the Altai-Sayan region shares common history, lifestyle, religion, food, music, tradition and more.

The notable diversity of more than 20 native ethnic groups within the Altai-Sayan have lived together within the Mongolian Altai-Sayan region for centuries, representing an approximate population of 320,000. Livestock production and farming are the mainstays of the rural economy through out the Altai-Sayan region and sheep, goats, cattle, yaks and horses are the main livestock.

The high biodiversity value of the Altai-Sayan originates from its geographic position between the steppes of western Siberia, the deserts of China and Mongolia, and the taiga forests of central and eastern Siberia.

The Altai-Sayan eco-region effectively functions as a conservation unit, within which key ecological processes interact.

Argali

Rare
The Altai-Sayan is one of the last refuges for an important population of Altai argali. The species is an indicator for the overall health of the Altai Sayan eco-region. It roams over large distances throughout the Altai-Sayan. However, information on the distribution and ecosystem niche of this mammal is relatively unknown.

Snow leopard

The Altai-Sayan is one of the last refuges for the endangered Snow leopard (Uncia uncia). It is described as one critical species indicating the overall health of the Altai Sayan eco-region. Snow leopards use large homeranges but information on distribution and habitat demands are relatively unknown. Snow leopard is also under threat because of poaching (traded for its pelt, bones, and body parts), persecution by the herders whose livestock is predated and rapidly decreasing prey populations (ibex, argali, marmot, and others). Currently, the number of Snow leopard is estimated to be around 1,000 - 1.500 in Mongolia.

See Parent page

• Hotspots for large herbivores, 2001