Stretching across Russia, Mongolia, Kazakhstan and China, the Altai-Sayan ecoregion is a mosaic of mountains, coniferous forests, steppe and alpine meadows. With its high level of plant and animal diversity, WWF has identified the Altai-Sayan as a priority region for conservation.
Altai-Sayan Mountains
Katon-Karagai National Park, Kazakhstan.
Animals of the Altai
The Altai-Sayan ecoregion is one of the last remaining untouched areas of the world.
It contains some of the world's largest unbroken stretches of Siberian fir, pine and larch trees, and gives life to 2 of the world's 10 longest rivers - the Ob and Yenisey.
Consisting of pristine mountain forests, surrounded by steppes in the north and east, and by deserts and semi-deserts in the south and west, the region is a rich treasure trove of biodiversity.
Here, one finds over 200 species of rare and endemic plants and many wildlife species.
The snow leopard (Panthera uncia) and the world's largest wild sheep, the Altai argali (Ovis ammon ammon), roam the highlands of the Atlai and Sayan mountains, as well as the Siberian ibex (Capra sibirica), wolf (Canis lupis), brown bear (Ursus arctos) and lynx (Lynx lynx).
Consisting of pristine mountain forests, surrounded by steppes in the north and east, and by deserts and semi-deserts in the south and west, the region is a rich treasure trove of biodiversity.
Here, one finds over 200 species of rare and endemic plants and many wildlife species.
The snow leopard (Panthera uncia) and the world's largest wild sheep, the Altai argali (Ovis ammon ammon), roam the highlands of the Atlai and Sayan mountains, as well as the Siberian ibex (Capra sibirica), wolf (Canis lupis), brown bear (Ursus arctos) and lynx (Lynx lynx).
Teletskoye Lake in the Altaisky Zapovednik, Central Altai, Siberia, Russia.
Altai-Sayan conservation
Deforestation, overgrazing, and poaching and the illegal wildlife trade are threatening many of these species.
Climate change is also expected to have an impact on the Altai-Sayan mountain glaciers.
To address these issues, WWF is working with other NGOs, regional governments and international agencies to increase conservation activities.
This includes establishing a network of protected areas, national strategy plans for snow leopards and argali conservation, and working with local communities on environmental education and projects.
To address these issues, WWF is working with other NGOs, regional governments and international agencies to increase conservation activities.
This includes establishing a network of protected areas, national strategy plans for snow leopards and argali conservation, and working with local communities on environmental education and projects.
Where is the Altai-Sayan mountain region?
The Altai-Sayan mountain region is highlighted in brown below
View WWF Critical Regions of the World in a larger map
Altai-Sayan World Heritage Sites
The snow leopard is one of the world's most endangered wild cats.
Altai Golden Mountains: Covering 1,611,457 hectares in southern Siberia, this World Heritage Site includes the Altai and Katun natural reserves, Lake Teletskoye, Belukha Mountain and the Ukok Plateau. The area is home to snow leopards and many other endangered species, including the argali sheep, dzeren antelope, black stork and steppe eagle.
Uvs Nuur Basin: Covering 1,068,853 hectares, the Uvs Nuur in Mongolia and Russia is one of the best-preserved natural steppe landscapes of Eurasia. The basin comprises several smaller lakes, notably Uvs Nuur Lake, which lies at 1,450m above sea level. As these lakes lie to the north of other inland seas of Central Asia, they are of key importance for waterfowl migration.
Uvs Nuur Basin: Covering 1,068,853 hectares, the Uvs Nuur in Mongolia and Russia is one of the best-preserved natural steppe landscapes of Eurasia. The basin comprises several smaller lakes, notably Uvs Nuur Lake, which lies at 1,450m above sea level. As these lakes lie to the north of other inland seas of Central Asia, they are of key importance for waterfowl migration.
