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Cause for concern across the Eurasian Continent
Palaearctic
•
Montane Grasslands and Shrublands
Qilian Mountains subalpine meadows
Heavy livestock grazing caused by increased immigration to the region and larger herd sizes has diminished the quality of grazing lands in many parts of this alpine region. Grazing has also changed the plant composition of many meadows. Many herders have worked actively to get rid of marmots, considering them a threat to the quality of grazing meadows. And some are beginning to construct fences across grazing lands, which may prove disruptive to wildlife.
The vegetative communities of this ecoregion are very fragile. Many are protected in national parks, and many are quite difficult for humans to reach. Still, trampling by hikers and overgrazing by livestock are concerns for this ecoregion. Other threats include collection of plants for medicinal purposes and illegal hunting of wildlife.
One of the greatest threats to the wildlife of this ecoregion is hunting. In certain Chinese provinces, snow leopard pelts are displayed for sale on the street even though these and other endangered animals are protected under Chinese laws and international treaties. Grazing pressure also remains high across much of the region.
The higher reaches of this ecoregion are intact and safe for wildlife because human settlement is scarce. At lower elevations, however, threats such as deforestation, shifting cultivation, urban and industrial development, and introduced species are common. Hunting, habitat loss, and collecting for public animal shows have particularly threatened brown bears and leopards. But conservation initiatives have allowed the population of endangered Chiltan markhors to begin to recover.
Horses, sheep, and goats have overgrazed much of the higher elevations of this region, and cattle have heavily grazed the lower elevations. Hunting for meat, income, or, in the case of some carnivores, to protect livestock, has reduced some wildlife populations. Snow leopards, if they have remained in this area, are considered especially vulnerable to hunting pressure from the Kazakh herdsmen who graze the high elevations. Mining for coal, iron, lead, and zinc has also disturbed some parts of the region.
Although the vegetation of this region is mostly intact, its animal populations have been gradually declining. The presence of so many herders and their livestock has probably decreased the number of wild animals that the region can support. Hunting and wildlife trade pose increasing threats to many species. And increased immigration to the region from China will probably exacerbate these problems.
More than one-fourth of this ecoregion lies in protected areas, and the rest of the region is relatively undisturbed. The future does not look bright, however. Increasing herds of livestock are beginning to trample the grasslands and meadows. People are collecting too many medicinal plants. And the troops who patrol the border routes also increase the pressure on the forests as they collect wood for fuel.
Since this area has been settled for so long, barley, buckwheat, and potato crops cover large areas, and domesticated animals graze many of the grassy areas. As a result, this area supports less wildlife than regions that are colder and less populated.
Few direct threats exist for this ecoregion, simply because humans are largely absent. But where humans have tread, this ecoregion has suffered. Plans for a northern shipping route through the Russian Arctic could open up oil, gas, and other natural resources for exploitation. This could increase the risk of oil spills and introduce species such as rats to the ecoregion, which could have drastic consequences for nesting seabirds. The Novaya Zemlya area has a unique problem. It has been serving as a test area for nuclear weapons and suffers from elevated levels of plutonium, cesium, and other radioactive pollutants.
Pollution and ocean dumping are the main threats to this ecoregions coasts. Proposed exploration for gas and oil could pose serious problems to the regions wildlife. Climate change could impact the distribution of pack ice and permafrost (permanently frozen soil), disrupting this fragile ecosystem. Heavy hunting and fishing could also threaten biodiversity--especially wolves, bear, and other large mammals. And the potential for forest and tundra fires further poses a threat to the region.
