Flora

The vast differences in altitude in Tibet give rise to a spread of ecosystems from alpine to subtropical. The high altitude plains of the Changtang, for example, support little in the way of vegetation beside grasses such as spear grass. Juniper trees and willow are common in the valleys of central Tibet and it is possible to come across flowers such as the pansy and oleander, as well as unique indigenous flowers like the tsi-tog (a light pink, high altitude bloom).

To the south in lower altitude, there are forests of pines, firs and spruces. The east of Tibet where there is higher level of rainfall has amazing range of flora from coniferous forests to deciduous forests. With oaks, elms and birches to subtropical plants and flowers. The mountain slopes of Tibet are home to many dozens of plants and flowers, but you should resist the temptation to pick them. On the south slope of Middle Himalayas and southeast Tibet, the abundance centre of Tibetan flower plants extends from 3500m alt. to the alpine zone. Many forms of flowers ornament the background of meadows, thickets and dark coniferous forests. The typical species are; Primula cawdoriana, Sinoplantagines var. fengxiangiana, Cyananthus lobatus, Saxifraga spp., Polygonum griffithii; Meconopsis horridula var. racemosa, M. Integrifolia, Pedicularis bella and Fletcherii.

The distribution of Tibet’s wild flowers is rather extensive. Over 5000 senior plants, 39 of which have been list as wild plants under state key protection, grow in Tibet. They are in different positions and environments which the following changes are identified: the series of moisture from arid and semiarid to semi moist and moist; the series of temperature from alpine frigid zone and frigid-temperate zone to warm-temperate zone and mountain tropical zone; the vegetation types from semi moist coniferous and broadleaved deciduous forests to rain forests, from frigid-temperate coniferous forests to tropical forests, and from scrubs and steppes to meadows and wetlands; as well as the landforms of glacier, desert, dune, highland, valley and gorge. When you see Incarvillea and Iris on the barren, the multi-colored rhododendrons in the forest or on the slope, and the beautiful orchids-epiphytic or terrestrial, you will be surprised by the powerful potential of life and nature.

Meanwhile, the wild flowers of Tibet grow in very different performances. Connected with the extreme conditions at high elevation such as low temperature, strong wind and high radiation, the plants got their morphology of shortening, creeping, cushion, needle shape or hairiness.

Compared to low elevation areas, the blossoming time on Tibetan plateau is usually shorter. The middle spring to early summer and the middle summer are the major two flowering phases, with 1/3 and 2/3 flowering species respectively. In the middle, the blossoms of Prunus mira always give the southeastern plateau an obvious scene, which is sometimes repainted by the spring snow. Then follow the rhododendrons of sub alpine forests and alpine thickets.

Because of the role of ultra violet, the color of flowers at high elevation is generally deeper than in lowland. Particularly, in Tibet we often see purple and orange flowers.

Some of Tibet's wild flower is used as medicine besides their amazing ornamental to the people. Their extraordinarily excellent effects on the disease don't only help the Tibetans overcome pains disease through thousands of years, but, nowadays, help Tibetans have their own medicine plants, which produce special medicine with Tibetan wild flowers and contribute the medicines to the world.

Fauna

The region also boasts 798 species of vertebrates and 2,305 species of insects. Some 125 animals in Tibet have been listed as rare species under top government protection. They include Tibetan antelope, yak, and snow chicken and black-neck crane. Tibet, which occupies one eighth of China's total area, has 6,400 kinds of plants including 40 kinds of rare species. It has over 1,000 sorts of herbal medicine, about one third of the national total.

Tibetan authorities also took steps to probe fauna and flora resources and strengthen co-operation with foreign countries. Comprehensive probe has been jointly conduct by teams made up of foreign and Chinese scientists on the species, distribution and life pattern of the wild animals in Qiangtang Nature Reserve of north Tibet.

The American High Mountain Research Institute has a share in launching the Mount Qomolangma Nature Reserve; it signed an agreement for 12-year co-operation and invested tens of thousands of dollars in technical personnel training and establishment of development foundations. Japanese environmental protection research institutions have also expressed desire to co-operate. The following articles will show you around the eighteen nature reserves of Tibet Autonomous Region. The nature reserves tell you their stories, and we believe the rare animals and trees, peculiar wonders and ancient relics must amaze you.

Marmots often seen perched up on their hind legs sniffing the air curiously outside their burrows and Pika, or Himalayan mouse hares are common. Tibet has over 30 endemic birds and 480 species have been recorded in the plateau. Birds include the black necked crane, bar headed goose and lammergeyer as well as grebes, pheasants, snao cocks and patridges.

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