The Southern Andean steppe is a montane grasslands and shrublands ecoregion occurring along the border of Chile and Argentina in the high elevations of the southern Andes mountain range.

Setting

This ecoregion is found from in the north to in the south. At higher elevations are found permanent snow, glaciers, and ice fields. At lower elevations, this ecoregion grades into Chilean matorral and Valdivian temperate forests to the west and High Monte to the east. To the north it transitions to the Central Andean dry puna and to the south the Patagonian steppe.

Climate

This ecoregion has a cold desert climate, Köppen climate classification ''BWk''. Precipitation falls mainly in winter.

Flora

The flora of this ecoregion is adapted to its cold, dry, and windy climate. Many of the plant

genera Genus ( plural genera ) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms as well as viruses. In the hierarchy of biological classification, genus comes above species and below family. In binomial nomenclat ...

have evolved endemic species. The plants on the western side of this ecoregion can be divided into three zones based on their growth forms and elevation. In the lower elevations, , grow large shrubs such as '' Chuquiraga oppositifolia'' and '' Nassauvia axillaris''. In intermediate elevations, , grow small shrubs, tussock grasses, and cushions. These include '' Azorella madreporica'', ''

Laretia acaulis ''Azorella'' is a genus of flowering plants in the family Apiaceae, native to South America, New Zealand, southeastern Australia, and the islands of the Southern Ocean. They are low-growing dwarf mat-forming plants growing in high exposure o ...

'', and '' Stipa'' spp. In the highest elevations, extending to , grow small forbs, rosettes, and grasses such as ''

Nassauvia lagascae ''Nassauvia'' is a genus of flowering plants in the tribe Nassauvieae within the family Asteraceae. It is native to Argentina, Bolivia, Chile and the Falkland Islands. ''Nassauvia'' is said to be chocolate scented. Species Formerly inc ...

'', ''

Oxalis erythrorhiza ''Oxalis'' ( (American English) or (British English)) is a large genus of flowering plants in the wood-sorrel family Oxalidaceae, comprising over 550 species. The genus occurs throughout most of the world, except for the polar areas; species ...

'', '' Nassauvia pinnigera'' and '' Moschopsis leyboldii''. The plants on the eastern side do not grow in distinct zones. In the lower elevations, , grow plants of the genera ''Stipa'', '' Adesmia'', ''

Mulinum ''Azorella'' is a genus of flowering plants in the family Apiaceae, native to South America, New Zealand, southeastern Australia, and the islands of the Southern Ocean. They are low-growing dwarf mat-forming plants growing in high exposure on mo ...

'', '' Nassauvia'', and '' Chuquiraga''. Higher, from , are shrubs and cushion plants of '' Oxalis'', '' Junellia'', ''Adesmia'', '' Laretia'' and ''

Azorella ''Azorella'' is a genus of flowering plants in the family Apiaceae, native to South America, New Zealand, southeastern Australia, and the islands of the Southern Ocean. They are low-growing dwarf mat-forming plants growing in high exposure on mo ...

''. At the highest elevations, , grow '' Senecio'', '' Nassauvia'', ''

Chaetanthera ''Chaetanthera'' is a genus of South American flowering plants in the family Asteraceae. ; Species References External links Mutisieae Asteraceae genera Flora of South America {{Asteraceae-stub ...

'', '' Draba'', '' Barneoudia'', '' Leucheria'', and '' Moschopsis''.

Fauna

The fauna is similar to that of the Central Andean dry puna and the Patagonian steppe. Large

mammal Mammals () are a group of vertebrate animals constituting the class Mammalia (), characterized by the presence of mammary glands which in females produce milk for feeding (nursing) their young, a neocortex (a region of the brain), fur or ...

s found here include the puma ('' Puma concolor''), the Andean fox ('' Lycalopex culpaeus'') and the vicuna ('' Vicugna vicugna'') and guanaco ('' Lama guanicoe'').

Contemporary land use

This ecoregion's high elevations and harsh climate make it unsuitable for development or farming, so it has experienced little habitat loss.

Protected areas

21.165% of the ecoregion is in protected areas. Protected areas include: * Abra del Acay Natural Monument * Caverna de las Brujas Nature Reserve * Cerro Aconcagua Provincial Park * El Leoncito National Park *

El Morado Natural Monument El Morado Natural Monument is a Chilean Natural Monument located in the Cajón del Maipo, Santiago Metropolitan Region. The monument is a glacial cirque and is part of the El Volcán River basin. Cerro El Morado dominates the landscape of this pro ...

* Laguna del Diamante Nature Reserve *

Laguna del Laja National Park Laguna del Laja National Park () is a national park of Chile located in the Andes, between 37°22’ and 37°28’ south latitude and 71°16’ and 71°26’ west longitude. Geography The park features spectacular mountain landscapes, whose main ...

Nevado Tres Cruces National Park Nevado Tres Cruces National Park () is a national park located in the Atacama Region of Chile, east of Copiapó. It includes Laguna Santa Rosa, Laguna del Negro Francisco, and a part of the Salar de Maricunga. The park is divided into two zones, ...

* Puente del Inca Natural Monument *

Río Clarillo National Reserve Rio or Río is the Portuguese, Spanish, Italian, and Maltese word for " river". When spoken on its own, the word often means Rio de Janeiro, a major city in Brazil. Rio or Río may also refer to: Geography Brazil * Rio de Janeiro * Rio do Sul, ...

Río de los Cipreses National Reserve Rio or Río is the Portuguese, Spanish, Italian, and Maltese word for " river". When spoken on its own, the word often means Rio de Janeiro, a major city in Brazil. Rio or Río may also refer to: Geography Brazil * Rio de Janeiro * Rio do Sul, ...

San Guillermo National Park San Guillermo National Park ( es, Parque Nacional San Guillermo) is a national park in Argentina, in the Iglesia Department of San Juan Province. It was established in 1998 and is part of the San Guillermo Biosphere Reserve. Elevations in the bio ...

* Volcán Tupungato Provincial Park *

Yerba Loca Nature Sanctuary Yerba Loca Nature Sanctuary is a protected area in Santiago Metropolitan Area of Chile. It is east of Santiago in the commune of Lo Barnechea Lo Barnechea is a commune located in the northeastern zone of Santiago de Chile, northeastern sector ...

References

{{reflist Ecoregions of the Andes Ecology of Patagonia Montane grasslands and shrublands Ecoregions of Argentina Ecoregions of Chile * Grasslands of Argentina Grasslands of Chile Grasslands of South America Neotropical ecoregions