Central Tibetan Plateau alpine steppe

Central Tibetan Plateau alpine steppe
Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, in the east of the ecoregion
Ecoregion territory (in purple)
Ecoregion territory (in purple)
Ecology
RealmPalearctic
BiomeMontane grasslands and shrublands
Geography
Area629,626 km2 (243,100 sq mi)
CountriesChina
Coordinates34°00′N 92°00′E / 34.000°N 92.000°E / 34.000; 92.000

The Central Tibetan Plateau alpine steppe ecoregion (WWF ID: PA1002) covers the high alpine plateau that stretches over 1,600 kilometres (1,000 mi) across the Tibetan Plateau to Qinghai Lake in China. Because of the high altitude—much it over 5,000 metres (16,000 ft)—the region is a cold, arid desert that is only 20% covered with steppe and meadow vegetation. The area has been relatively free from human development due to the hostile climate and unsuitability for agriculture. The ecosystem is relatively intact, and supports herds of wild antelope, sheep, deer, and gazelles.[1][2]

  1. ^ "Central Tibetan Plateau alpine steppe". World Wildlife Federation (WWF). Retrieved December 28, 2019.
  2. ^ "Map of Ecoregions 2017". Resolve, using WWF data. Retrieved September 14, 2019.