Kopet Dag semi-desert
Golestan - Torkaman Sahra at the southern edge of the ecoregion
Ecoregion territory (light-green, straddling border of Iran and Turkmenistan)
Ecoregion territory (light green, straddling border of Iran and Turkmenistan)
Ecology
RealmPalearctic
BiomeDeserts and xeric shrublands
Geography
Area26,418 km2 (10,200 sq mi)
CountryTurkmenistan, Iran
Coordinates38°15′N 55°45′E / 38.25°N 55.75°E / 38.25; 55.75

The Kopet Dag semi-desert ecoregion (WWF ID: PA1319) is a small ecoregion that crosses the border of southwestern Turkmenistan into northeastern Iran. It covers a transition zone between the deserts to the north and west, and the foothill steppes and woodlands in the higher Kopet Dag mountains to the east and the Alborz Mountains to the south. The terrain is mostly barren semi-desert and widespread 'takir', a type of seasonal salt flat or dried clay deposit in an interdune depression.[1][2]

Location and description

The region is mostly at a low altitude along the base of the mountains, particularly in a 20 km wide strip of cultivated land that reaches 300 km east to the capital city of Ashgabat. The Caspian lowland desert ecoregion occupies a 20 km wide strip of land between the Kopet Dag semi-desert and the Caspian Sea. To the north is another desert, the Central Asian southern desert. To the south are the Kopet Dag woodlands and forest steppe ecoregion, and the Caspian Hyrcanian mixed forests ecoregion. The ecoregion is about 350 km from west to east, and 200 km from North to south.

Climate

The climate of the ecoregion is Cold semi-arid climate (Köppen climate classification (BSk)). This climate is characteristic of steppe climates intermediary between desert humid climates, and typically have precipitation is above evapotranspiration. At least one month averages below 0 °C (32 °F).[3][4] Precipitation may reach 200 mm/year.[5]

Flora and fauna

Much of the region is devoid of vegetation. But there is significant cultivation in the strip on the northern edge of the Kopet Dag. There is also herbaceous ground cover and cultivation in the southern 50-100 km of the region, particularly in Iran.[6]

Protections

There are few protected areas in the ecoregion. A small portion of Golestan National Park in Iran crosses into the Kopet Dag semi-desert.

References

  1. ↑ "Kopet Dag semi-desert". World Wildlife Federation (WWF). Retrieved June 22, 2020.
  2. ↑ "Map of Ecoregions 2017". Resolve, using WWF data. Retrieved September 14, 2019.
  3. ↑ Kottek, M., J. Grieser, C. Beck, B. Rudolf, and F. Rubel, 2006. "World Map of Koppen-Geiger Climate Classification Updated" (PDF). Gebrüder Borntraeger 2006. Retrieved September 14, 2019.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  4. ↑ "Dataset - Koppen climate classifications". World Bank. Retrieved September 14, 2019.
  5. ↑ A.Shahriaria, F.Khormalia, M.Bläsingb, S.Vlaminckc. "Biomarkers in modern and buried soils of semi-desert and forest ecosystems of northern Iran". Retrieved June 22, 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  6. ↑ "Kopet Dag semi-desert". Digital Observatory for Protected Areas. Retrieved June 22, 2020.
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