All chapters:

Introduction

Climate

Waters and water management

Ecosystems and ecoregions

Species diversity and use of biological resources

Nature conservation: econet and protected areas

Countries & cultures

Economy

Land use

International policy

This ecoregion is known for its unique "Daurian flora," which is transitional between Siberian and Manchurian floras.  This ecoregion is concentrated in the Great Hinggan (Daxing’anling) Range in northeastern China and extends into sub-boreal forests with similar characteristics in the Amur-Heilong basin north of the Russia border.
In this ecoregion, there are over 1,200 species of vascular plants, two thirds of which are Siberian, and one third local Daurian, Mongolian and Manchurian.  Daurian larch dominates at elevations over 500 meters asl, forming the typical landscape features.  Mongolian oak, hazel, heterophyllous alder, silver and black birch, poplar, elm, Siberian apricot, and Siberian hawthorn are found here.  This ecoregion represents the southern boundary for several rare mammals of the Palaearctic fauna, including wolverine (Gulo gulo), and elk/moose (Alces alces).  This ecoregion supported a small resident population of Amur tiger (Panthera tigris altaica) less than 100 years ago, but due to human pressures tigers stopped breeding in this somewhat sub-optimal habitat.  However, dispersing tigers occasionally reach this ecoregion.
Due to population pressures, which are much higher in China than in either Mongolia or Russia, this ecoregion is under the most intense human pressure.  Deforestation by fires and logging, coupled with poor natural regeneration in a harsh cold and dry climate are serious obstacles to conservation.
Wuma, Moridaga and Erguna protected areas in Inner Mongolia include a large forest belt along the upper Amur-Heilong and Argun Rivers.  This is the largest group of nature reserves in the ecoregion.

View of Dzhagdy Mountain Range (Photo by E.Egidarev)