Meadow steppe

Meadow steppe

Meadow steppe

The most moisture-loving type among steppes. The dominant species are perennial herbaceous plants of meso-xerophytic nature; it often includes a large mixture of mesophytic or meso-xerophytic vegetation, primarily weeds, followed by rhizomatous grasses and tussock sedges, with typical meso-xerophytic tussock grasses still playing a certain role.

The soil in meadow steppe areas is mainly chernozem. The annual precipitation in meadow steppe regions is between 350 and 500 mm. The main plant species include needlegrass of Lake Baikal, big needlegrass, and sheepgrass. The grass height ranges from 40 to 80 cm, with a coverage of 80% to 90%. It can yield 1,600–2,400 kilograms of hay per hectare, making it the most productive type among temperate steppes. This type of steppe serves as an excellent base for livestock farming of large animals such as cattle and horses. It is also a great destination for grassland ecotourism. However, due to its relatively favorable natural conditions, it has been extensively cultivated as farmland, with large areas dedicated to spring wheat and rapeseed. Precisely because of this, the remaining area of meadow steppe is not large. Once converted into farmland, severe degradation is inevitable.

Address: Hulunbuir City, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region