A WILDLIFE-RICH TAPESTRY

The Asia-Pacific region is as diverse as it is beautiful, with a wide range of

landscapes that encompass everything from frozen mountains and striking
limestone towers to tropical rainforests and coral reefs. Some of the most
biodiverse countries in the world are found in this region, as are many charismatic
species such as the tiger, orang-utan, Siamese crocodile, Asian elephant and
Magnolia grandis.

RAINFORESTS IN ASIA-Most tropical rainforest in Asia is found in Indonesia (on

scattered islands), the Malay peninsula (Malaysia, Thailand, Myanmar), and Laos
and Cambodia. Forest once covered a much greater area in Asia, but logging and
clearing of forests for agriculture has destroyed much of the region's rainforests.

The loss of rainforests has caused many problems in Asia. For example, during the
2004 tsunami disaster damage was worse in areas that had suffered heavy
deforestation. The burning of forests for land clearing also causes air pollution.

Southeast Asia's rainforests are some of the oldest on Earth. Some scientists
believe that forests in present day Malaysia may have existed over 100 million
years ago.

Some southeast Asian forests are known for their orangutans and elephants.

mixed forest: a forest with two or more predominant kinds of trees and with at
least 20 percent of the stand consisting of other than the most common tree.

Tropical Rainforest -The tropical rainforest is a hot, moist biome found near
Earth's equator. The world's largest tropical rainforests are in South America,
Africa, and Southeast Asia. Tropical rainforests receive from 60 to 160 inches of
precipitation that is fairly evenly distributed throughout the year. The
combination of constant warmth and abundant moisture makes the tropical
rainforest a suitable environment for many plants and animals. Tropical
rainforests contain the greatest biodiversity in the world. Over 15 million species
of plants and animals live within this biome. The hot and humid conditions make
tropical rainforests an ideal environment for bacteria and other microorganisms.
Because these organisms remain active throughout the year, they quickly
decompose matter on the forest floor. In other biomes, such as the deciduous
forest, the decomposition of leaf litter adds nutrients to the soil. But in the
tropical rainforest, plants grow so fast that they rapidly consume the nutrients
from the decomposed leaf litter. As a result, most of the nutrients are contained
in the trees and other plants rather than in the soil. Most nutrients that are
absorbed into the soil are leached out by the abundant rainfall, which leaves the
soil infertile and acidic.

Steppe-a large area of flat unforested grassland in southeastern Europe or

Siberia.

Eurasian Steppe

The largest temperate grassland in the world is the Eurasian steppe, extending
from Hungary to China. It reaches almost one-fifth of the way around the Earth.
The Eurasian steppe is so well-known, the area is sometimes referred to as just
The Steppe.

The Eurasian steppe has historically been one of the most important routes for
travel and trade. The flat expanse provides an ideal route between Asia and
Europe. Caravans of horses, donkeys, and camels have traveled the Eurasian
steppe for thousands of years. The most famous trade route on the Eurasian
steppe is the Silk Road, connecting China, India, and Europe. The Silk Road was
established around 200 BCE, and many Silk Road trade routes are still in use
today.

During the 13th century, Mongolian leader Genghis Khan conquered almost the
entire Eurasian steppe. With expert horsemen, Khan conquered territory from
his home in what is now Mongolia, through China, Central Asia, and the land
around the Caspian Sea.

The equestrian culture that was so important to Genghis Khan is still important
for most cultures native to the Eurasian steppe. From the Mongolian tradition in
the east to the Cossack traditions of western Russia, these cultures have relied
on horses for travel, trade, and conquest on the vast steppe. To this day, many
festivals and community activities focus on horseback riding.

tundra-a vast, flat, treeless Arctic region of Europe, Asia, and North America in
which the subsoil is permanently frozen.

Tundra, a major zone of treeless level or rolling ground found in cold regions,
mostly north of the Arctic Circle (Arctic tundra) or above the timberline on high
mountains (alpine tundra). Tundra is known for large stretches of bare ground
and rock and for patchy mantles of low vegetation such as mosses, lichens,
herbs, and small shrubs. This surface supports a meagre but unique variety of
animals. The Finns called their treeless northern reaches the tunturi, but the
concept of a vast frozen plain as a special ecological realm called tundra was
developed by the Russians.

One constant factor shaping the tundra is alternate freezing and thawing of the
ground. Along with the factors mentioned above, this freeze-thaw cycle sets the
tundra apart from two ecosystems frequently found adjacent to it—the icy
polar barrens on the one hand and the evergreen taiga on the other.
Permafrost—perennially frozen ground—is a significant feature of the Arctic
tundra; however, it does not typically occur in alpine regions.

Asian WildlifE

Use this page to know more about Asian Wildlife. Asia stretches from the frozen
arctic in the north to the warm tropics in the south. Although much of Asia is
undulating plain, it also boasts the awesome mountain range of the Himalayas,
much of the interior receives little rain, but parts of India hold the world record
for annual rainfall. This continent of contrasts provides many habitats, each
with its own characteristic plants and animals. Many of the world¡¦s best
known endangered species, such as giant pandas and tigers, live in Asia. But
many less publicized, smaller animals and plants are also threatened by the
steady spread of human populations.