Central Afghan Mountains xeric woodlands

Ecoregion in Afghanistan

Central Afghan Mountains xeric woodlands

View of Charikar, Afghanistan

Ecoregion territory (in purple)

Ecology
Realm| Palearctic
Biome| Deserts and xeric shrublands
Geography
Area| 139,709 km2 (53,942 sq mi)
Country| Afghanistan
Coordinates| 32°15′N 67°45′E﻿ / ﻿32.25°N 67.75°E﻿ / 32.25; 67.75

The Central Afghan Mountains xeric woodlands ecoregion (WWF ID: PA1309) covers the xeric (dry) eastern and southern slopes of the central mountain range of Afghanistan, between the sandy desert to the south and the alpine meadows in the higher, wetter region to the north.[1][2][3] Despite the 'woodlands' in the ecoregion name, very little of the territory is forested – less than 1% – but is instead sparse vegetation or herbaceous cover.[3]

## Location and description[edit]

The central mountain ranges of the Afghanistan are western extensions of the Hindu Kush mountains in the northeast of the country. These subranges center on the Koh-i-Baba (Baba Mountain Range) the Koh-e Paghman Mountains. The mean elevation is 2,058 metres (6,752 ft), with a highest peak being Kuh-e Kokzaro Zaghicha 5,125 metres (16,814 ft)[4] at the northeastern extreme of the ecoregion.[3]

## Climate[edit]

The climate of the ecoregion is Humid continental climate - Hot, dry summer sub-type (Köppen climate classification Dsa), with large seasonal temperature differentials and a hot summer (at least one month averaging over 22 °C (72 °F), and mild winters. The driest month between April and September does not have more than 30 millimeters of precipitation.[5][6]

## Flora[edit]

According to satellite analysis, 65% of the ecoregion is bare or sparse vegetation, and another 27% is "herbaceous cover". There are communities of wild pistachio trees (Pistacia atlantica) at altitudes of 1,150-1,800 meters. Precipitation at these altitudes averages 250-400 mm/year. Higher, at 2,000-2,800 meters, Almond trees of genus Prunus mark a transition zone to the higher sub-alpine vegetation.[7]

## Fauna[edit]

Of conservation interest in the ecoregion is the critically endangered Paghman mountain salamandar (Afghanodon mustersi). A large saline lake, Ab-i Istada in the ecoregion, is an important migratory stop in the Spring for waterfowl traveling between Siberia and the Ganges Plain of India. The site has a significant breeding population of American flamingos (Phoenicopterus ruber).[8]

## Protected areas[edit]

There are no protected areas in this ecoregion.[3]

## References[edit]

1. ^ "Central Afghan Mountains xeric woodlands". World Wildlife Federation. Retrieved March 21, 2020.
2. ^ "Map of Ecoregions 2017". Resolve, using WWF data. Retrieved September 14, 2019.
3. ^ a b c d "Central Afghan Mountains xeric woodlands". Digital Observatory for Protected Areas. Retrieved August 1, 2020.
4. ^ "Kuh-e Kokzaro Zaghicha". Peakbagger. Retrieved October 17, 2020.
5. ^ Kottek, M.; Grieser, J.; Beck, C.; Rudolf, B.; Rubel, F. (2006). "World Map of Koppen-Geiger Climate Classification Updated" (PDF). Gebrüder Borntraeger 2006. Retrieved September 14, 2019.
6. ^ "Dataset - Koppen climate classifications". World Bank. Retrieved September 14, 2019.
7. ^ "National Biodiversity Strategy & Action Plan" (PDF). Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. Retrieved October 17, 2020.
8. ^ "Ab-i-Istada". Birdlife International. Retrieved October 17, 2020.

* v
* t
* e

Palearctic deserts and xeric shrublands ecoregions

Africa|

* Atlantic coastal desert
* North Saharan steppe and woodlands
* Red Sea coastal desert
* Sahara desert
* South Saharan steppe and woodlands
* Tibesti–Jebel Uweinat montane xeric woodlands
* West Saharan montane xeric woodlands

Western Asia|

* Arabian Desert
* Azerbaijan shrub desert and steppe
* Central Persian desert basins
* Mesopotamian shrub desert
* Persian Gulf desert and semi-desert
* Red Sea Nubo–Sindian tropical desert and semi-desert
* South Iran Nubo–Sindian desert and semi-desert

Central Asia|

* Afghan Mountains semi-desert
* Badghyz and Karabil semi-desert
* Baluchistan xeric woodlands
* Caspian lowland desert
* Central Afghan Mountains xeric woodlands
* Central Asian northern desert
* Central Asian riparian woodlands
* Central Asian southern desert
* Kazakh semi-desert
* Kopet Dag semi-desert
* Paropamisus xeric woodlands
* Registan–North Pakistan sandy desert

Eastern Asia|

* Alashan Plateau semi-desert
* Dzungaria
* Eastern Gobi desert steppe
* Gobi Lakes Valley desert steppe
* Great Lakes Basin desert steppe
* Qaidam Basin
* Taklamakan Desert

*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template