The climate is hypercontinental sub-humid or semi-arid, with the Köppen classificationsBSk or in the extreme east, Dwa or Dwb. The region features warm summers with decreasing rainfall from east to west, alongside frigid, extremely dry winters. Being relatively dry, from a combination of being landlocked and the proximity of the Siberian High, only select animals can live here.
Flora
The dominant flora consists of medium to tall grasslands, dominated by feather grass (Stipa baicalensis, S. capillata, and S. grandis), sheep's fescue (Festuca ovina), Aneurolepidium chinense, Filifolium sibiricuman, and Cleistogenes sqarrosa. The drier regions surrounding the Gobi host drought-tolerant grasses, together with forbs and low, spiny shrubs.
Feathergrass – lives long since it is rarely consumed
Sheepgrass – perennial
Lyme Grass – can provide food for animals
Fauna
Despite its landscaping, wildlife can be found in a variety of habitats not restricted solely to the open steppe. Many are programmed to traverse vast distances in extreme weather and terrain by running, digging, and/or flying.
The black grouse occupies the belt of steppe, forests, and mountains stretching across much of Asia.[3]
The corsac fox drinks very little water, instead, obtaining it mostly through their prey.
The bearded vulture's powerful beak can hammer large bones against hard rock.
The northern goshawk can be found in deciduous and coniferous woodland edges.
The steppe eagle specializes in seizing ground squirrels and other small mammals from their dens.
The steppe lemming is a very important prey base. Their presence in an area can limit the presence of other voles. Unfortunately, they can also very easily reduce vegetation if necessary. They are very good at burrowing in the terrain. They have a very big migration when it may get too cold.
The Daurian hedgehog is found in the forest-steppe and grasslands.
Environmental issues
In the winter the grass becomes dry and very flammable, making wildfires more common. Grass recovers quickly from the fire, but trees do not. This partially explains the absence of trees in the area. There are also seasonal droughts in the grasslands, typically occurring during summer.
Culture
The majority of people in the steppe are Mongolian nomads. Families in the Mongolian steppe live in "gers" which are a type of large portable tent. Mongolians are also master horse riders so many families own many horses that roam the steppe. The people in the steppe use the animals there for their food and drink. They also have a very prominent musical culture with a wide variety of traditional Mongolian songs.
Conservation and threats
The Mongolian-Manchurian grassland faces threat from human expansion, though in most of its eastern area, it has not been altered by agriculture as much as its reaches in its western area, or similar grasslands in North America.[4][5]
Protected areas
5.09% of the ecoregion is in protected areas. Protected areas include:[2]