Coniferous forests, also known as Taiga or boreal forests, include many different characteristics, some being extremely cold, some being humid and warm. It is called coniferous because of the large and dense population of coniferous trees that are spread throughout the biomes.
Climate of the Coniferous Forest in Khangai Mountains: Mongolia, Russia.
Average Rainfall: 17.42mm a year, Maximum Rainfall is 76mm, and the Minimum rainfall is 1 mm.
The Average Temperature is 26.15 degrees Celsius, the Maximum temperature is 16 degrees Celsius, and the Minimum temperature is 26 degrees celsius. The Khangai Mountains have 4 seasons, but within the four seasons its mostly rain and cold weather, although it can get fairly hot throughout the summer. Rainfall is frequent, with usually a mid-temperature climate, but is usually cold in the winter.
The Khangai Mountains are different than other coniferous forests because of the differences between temperatures in specific seasons. Although it may be extremely cold in the winter, it can get hot in the summer. Throughout the year though, the Mountains are primarily a cold climate. Coniferous forests are found in the latitudes of 50-60 Degrees North. The Khangai Mountains are diverse than other biomes because it has cold temperatures, rocky terrain, volcanic fields, mild microclimates, as its 10 degrees warmer than surrounding areas throughout different times of the season.
The soil quality in the Khangai Mountains include; Slow processing of chemical weathering and clay formation, there is relatively stony soil, making it difficult to grow varieties of crops. Although there is rough soil in the mountains, there are also numerous wetlands in the mountains, with extremely fertile soil. Higher elevation you go in the mountains decreases the rates of successfully growing crops. The main crops that are grown in these mountains are plants and crops that are able to sustain the environment that they are given. Some examples of crops that are grown here are plants like wheat, barley, oats, potatoes, vegetables, hay, silage crops. As you can see, these plants don't need lots of nutrients in the soil to be able to grow, which fit the environment perfectly.
INVASIVE SPECIES IN THE KHANGAI MOUNTAINS: MONGOLIA, RUSSIA.
These species of Fish, named Golomyanka fish, were intentionally introduced in the process of range expansion. Although they have good uses, they are having a relatively big impact on the food chain. They are beating down on the food chain, reducing the amount of food for the rest of the people in the ecosystem. They are growing and reproducing rapidly and are spreading their territory.
ENDANGERED SPECIE IN THE KHANGAI MOUNTAINS: MONGOLIA, RUSSIA.
Humans have migrated and have taken many of the resources and livestock of the snow leopards habitat. Overgrazing damages the fragile mountain grasslands, leaving less food for the wild sheep and goats that are the snow leopard's main prey. We are diminishing the amount of food that the wild sheep and goats have, which decreases their population, thus decreasing the Snow Leopards population.
H- Their habitat has been messed with, as humans have interfered with their homes directly, taking their resources.
I- There are no invasive species that are affecting the snow leopard.
P- Population growth is not important, as it is dwindling.
P- Pollution is not a factor in the dwindling numbers of Snow Leopards.
C- Climate change is relatively important with the decreasing numbers of the snow leopards, as the climate is getting relatively warmer, but not drastically.
O- Over exploitation takes a big part, as there isn't a lot of resources left, because humans have come in and destroyed and taken lots of their resources to live.
MOST POPULAR ANIMALS IN THE KHANGAI MOUNTAINS: MONGOLIA, RUSSIA
The Gray Wolf is a very abundant animal in the Khangai Mountains, simply because they adapt to their region very well. They have changed over periods of time, including growth of fur to withstand colder temperatures and tougher/thicker paws to climb and withstand cold surfaces, as well as rough terrains.
The Siberian Ibex is also another popular animal in Khangai Mountains and Mongolia. Its adapted to its climate quite well, as its hooves have grown to be stronger and thicker, so it can pounce around on harder terrain. The horns and "goatee" also help them thrive, as its horns are used as a weapon to kill and eat its prey. The extra facial hair provides warmth throughout the cold climate.
PLANTS IN THE KHANGAI MOUNTAINS; MONGOLIA,RUSSIA
Alpine Trees are in large numbers in the Khangai Mountains, as this is an actual picture of these trees near the mountain range. These trees are in such abundance because they thrive in growing in high elevation, hence the reason why they grow so rapidly in the mountains. They get lots of direct sunlight because they are usually extremely high above sea level, and get direct precipitation as it falls.
Siberian Larches, also known as Tryst Larches, are grown on the side of mountain-tops, as well as in normal forests. Like the alpine trees, they grow in high elevation, and come in all shapes and sizes. They grow at a steady pace, and grow decently well in rocky soil, and do not need huge amounts of water to grow well. This picture is a common sight of what you may see in the Khangai Mountains, in Mongolia.
There may be an abundance of trees in the forests of the Khangai Mountains, but there is also lots of varieties of grasses. A main grass found in the mountains would be the feather grass, which grows in rocky, infertile soil. As you can tell, the grass has a greenish-yellow color, as this shows the lack of water in the ecosystem. It still grows and lives with the lighter colors, as it adapts to the ecosystem and its environment around it.