The Darwin Initiative

"Endemic Plants of the Altai Mountain Country" published

Between 2002 and 2006, Russian, Kazakstani, Mongolian and British scientists involved in the Darwin Initiative project "Cross-border conservation strategies for Altai Mountain endemics (Russia, Mongolia, Kazakhstan)" collated information and carried out field surveys within the Altai Mountain Country. The main objective was to study further the distribution of endemic plant species of this region and to identify their altitudinal distribution and habitat range. Over 280 Altai endemics have been described and 100 of them illustrated in a book "Endemic Plants of the Altai Mountain Country", written by participants in this project. The book is published by WILDGuides, and is now available (see http://www.wildguides.co.uk/home).

Authors: A.I. Pyak, S.C. Shaw, A.L. Ebel, A.A. Zverev, J.G. Hodgson, B.D. Wheeler, K.J. Gaston, M.O. Morenko, A.S. Revushkin, Yu. A. Kotukhov, D. Oyunchimeg.

Location map for the Altai Mountains.

Description

• The first guide to be published about the flora of this region, which lies on the borders of Russia, Mongolia, Kazakhstan and China.
• Provides the first detailed and comprehensive account of the 288 endemic and sub-endemic plants of the Altai Mountain range, over 30 of which were found and named by contributors to this book.
• Introductory chapters provide general information on the environmental and socio-economic conditions of the region, together with details of the main habitat types, the Altai flora and its features, and the endemic flora.
• The main part of the book is devoted to profiles of 100 of the endemic plants, with taxonomic accounts (including key features to aid identification, flowering times and differences from similar species), plus details of distribution, habitats, conservation status, threats and cultivation. Summary details are given for the remaining 188 species.
• The text is enhanced with stunning photographs of habitats and plants - many of the species were photographed for the first time during recent expeditions.
• Information is also provided about the main protected areas in the region, and when and how to visit.

Illustration of book cover.

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