Altay forest and steppe (15427)
China (mainland), Asia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2009
National site name: Altay forest and steppe
Central coordinates: Latitude: 47.8333, Longitude: 88.6667
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 960 to 3200
Area of KBA (km2): 27179.52789
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Located in the central part of the Altay Mountains, on the border between China and Mongolia. The IBA includes the Kara Ertix He river, a tributary of the Ertix River, and Youyi Feng (4,374 m) and Kuytun Shan (4,104 m), which are the highest peaks in the Altay Mountains.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance because it meets one or more previously established criteria and thresholds for identifying sites of biodiversity importance (including Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas, Alliance for Zero Extinction sites, and Key Biodiversity Areas)
Additional biodiversity: Non-bird biodiversity: Nationally protected animals include Ursus arctos and Cervus elaphus, and the fish Hucho spp.
Habitats
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 50 | |
| Grassland | 50 |