TIBET

1. Tibet Info
Tibet, a rich and beautiful land, is located at the main part of Qinghai-Tibet
plateau, south-West frontier of China. Tibet borders with Sichuan, Yuannan, Qinghai
and Xinjiang; to the south contiguous to India, Nepal, Sikkim, Bhutan and Burma,
and bounded by Kashmir on the west.When the word Tibet is mentioned something
icy chills the readers' nerves. In fact it snows only once or twice in a year and owing
to the perpetuity of bright sunshine, it is not at all cold during the daytime even in the
coldest of the winter. Tibet is so sunny that it produces a year round sunshine of over
3,000 hours in a year. Its old name-"land of snow" the name by which Tibet is almost
popularly known as, is always thickly covered with snow with hardly any signs of
inhabitation. In fact, it is correct only when it is referred to the world greatest ranges
located in Ima, the Tisi, and like. These ranges run by leaps and bounds across the
country showing their beautiful snow covered peaks against the bluest of skies.

2. Tibetan Geography

Geographically, Tibet can be divided into three majoy parts, the east, north and
south. The eastern part is forest region, occupying approximately one-fourth of the
land. Virgin forests run The entire breadth and length of this part of Tibet. The
northern part is open grassland, where nomads and yak and sheep dwell here. This
part occupies approximately half of Tibet. The southern and central part is
agricultural region, occupying about one-fourth of Tibet's land area. with all major
Tibetan cities and towns such as Lhasa, Shigatse, Gyantse ad Tsetang located in
this area, it is considered the cultural center of tibet. The total area of the Tibet
Autonomous Region is 1,200,000 square kilometers and its population is 1,890,000.
The region is administratively divided into one municipality and six prefectures. The
municipality is Lhasa, while the six prefectures are Shigatse, Ngari, Lhaoka,
Chamdo, Nakchu and Nyingtri (kongpo). The People's Government of the Tibet
Autonomous Region exercises the hightest adminis-trative authority in Tibet.
Tibet has some of the world's tallest mountains, with several of them making the
top ten lists. Mount Everest, at 8,848 metres (29,029 ft), is the highest mountainon
earth, located on the border with Nepal. Several major rivers have their source in the
Tibetan Plateau (mostly in present-day Qinghai Province). These
includeYangtze, Yellow River, Indus River, Mekong, Ganges, Salween and
the Yarlung Zangbo River (Brahmaputra River). The Yarlung Zangbo Grand Canyon,
along the Yarlung Zangbo River, is among the deepest and longest canyons in the
world.
The atmosphere is severely dry nine months of the year, and average annual
snowfall is only 18 inches, due to the rain shadow effect. Western passes receive
small amounts of fresh snow each year but remain traversable all year round. Low
temperatures are prevalent throughout these western regions, where bleak
desolation is unrelieved by any vegetation beyond the size of low bushes, and where
wind sweeps unchecked across vast expanses of arid plain. The
Indian monsoon exerts some influence on eastern Tibet. Northern Tibet is subject to
high temperatures in the summer and intense cold in the winter.

3. Climate in Tibet

Basically, the Tibetan climate is not as harsh as many people imagine it to be.
The best time of year to be in Tibet is from April to the beginning of November, after
which temperatures start to plummet. The central Tibet, including Lhasa, Gyantse,
Shigatse and Tsedang, generally has very mild weather from April to November,
though July and August can be rainy - these two months usually see around half of
Tibet's annual rainfall. October and November often bring some dazzling clear
weather and daytime temperatures can be quite comfortable at Tibet's lower altitude.
The coldest months are from December to February. It is not impossible to visit
Tibet in winter. The low altitude valleys of Tibet (around Lhasa, Shigatse and
Tsedang) see very little snow. Spring does not really get under way until April, though
March can have warm sunny days and is not necessarily a bad month to be in Tibet.
More specific information in different areas:
Lhasa - the border of Nepal/China: The Friendship highway is basically in good
conditions year around. But from December to February, the thawed road could
make some trouble. Besides, try to avoid August - landslide could happen in the
rainy season.
Mt. Everest Region: Early May and early October are the best time to visit Mt.
Everest. Due to the clear weather, you have great chance to see Mt. Everest's true
face. From December to February, it's too cold to go to this region. But the
magnetism of Mt. Everest always attracts people anytime of the year.
Ali (Mt.Kailash): Even without climate restrictions, this area is already inhospitable.
Big rain and snow could make the journey worse. However, for those determined
tourists, the appropriate time is May, June, July, September and October.
Eastern Tibet: Don't touch this area in July or August, the rain could ruin the road,
and make terrible landslides. While in winter, the road could be frozen.
Northern Tibet: With the average altitude of 4,500m, this area offers very limited
time for tourists. Summer is the prime time to enjoy the great plain in northern Tibet.

4. Types of Soil

Alpine meadow soil

This is one of the more widespread and better soils, found between 4 600 and
5 200 m, developed under cold, semi-humid conditions, with annual mean
temperatures of -6 to -0C and average annual precipitation of 350-550
mm. Kobresia pygmaea and K. humilis are the major plants, with combinations
of Carex spp., Polygonum macrophyllum, Leontopodium spp. and Anaphalis spp.
Soil depth varies from 4 to 20 cm, with average organic material (OM) content of 3.727 percent. Soil pH is 6.1-7.2. There are three major subtypes: alpine steppemeadow soils; alpine marshland-meadow soil; and alpine shrubby-meadow soils.
Alpine steppemeadow soil is often in the transition area of meadow to steppe, where
plants such as Stipa and Artemisia dominate, and average OM content is less than 5
percent. Alpine marshland-meadow soil is in low areas where water accumulates.
Meadow grass dominates, and the soil is rich in organic matter, with an average
content of over 20 percent. Alpine shrubby-meadow soils are usually on north-facing
slopes, with shrubs like Rhododendron spp., Dasiphora fruticosa and Salix spp., with
soil OM content of about 10 percent.
Subalpine meadow soil
This is widespread and of good quality. It is found in between 3 900 and 4 600
m where the average annual temperature is about -2 to -4C and annual
precipitation 400-700 mm. Vegetation is very variable, but Kobresia spp.
and Carex spp. are common. Other plants, such
as Potentilla spp., Pedicularis, Anemone, Roegneria spp., Ptilagrostis
mongolica and Poa spp., are found in many areas. Shrubs are
typically Rhododendron, Dasiphora fruticosa, Salix and Caragana. The OM content
is about 12 percent and the soil is highly acid.
Alpine steppe soil
This is the most widely distributed and largest in area, with several subtypes see Table 8.3. It is found in northwestern Tibet, and at altitudes between 4 400 and 5
300 m throughout Tibet. It develops under the alpine cold semi-dry climate with
annual mean temperatures of 0-6C and annual precipitation of 200-300 mm. The
soil is frozen for more than five months of the year and the vegetation is cold-tolerant

species, such as Stipa spp., and accompanied by Festuca

ovina, Oxytropis, Astragalus, Orinus, Carex
moorcroftii, Androsace sp. and Arenaria sp. In drier western Tibet, Stipa
glareosa andArtemisia spp. are common. In some parts, Ceratoides
compacta grows. The OM content of the soil is often 2 percent, and some has less
than 0.4 percent; the pH averages more than 8.0. With high elevation and cold
climate, biological and chemical soil weathering is very slow, so there is a high gravel
content, often more than 10 percent.
Subalpine steppe soils
These are found in central Tibet between 4 100 and 4 700 m, under
temperate semi-dry climatic conditions with an annual mean temperature of 0-3.7C
and annual precipitation of 230-350 mm. Stipa capillacea, Pennisetum
flaccidum and Aristida triseta are the most common plants, accompanied by Festuca
ovina, Oxytropis, Astragalus, Potentilla chinensis and Stellera chamaejasme. The
OM content is usually about 2 percent, with a pH of 7.5-8.9. There are five subtypes:
typical subalpine steppe soil; subalpine meadow-steppe soil; subalpine desertsteppe
soil; subalpine shrubby-steppe soil; and subalpine alkalized-steppe soil.
Mountain shrubby-meadow soil
This is found in central Tibet at elevations of 3 400-4 200 m under a
temperate semi-dry climate with annual mean temperature of 4-9 C and annual
precipitation of 300 - 500 mm. Vegetation such asSophora moorcroftiana, Caragana
spinifera, Artemisia, Pennisetum flaccidum, Aristida triseta and Orinus thoroldii is
found, with Cotoneaster spp. and Rosa spp. near the forest line. The OM content is
usually about 2 percent and can be up to 3 percent, with pH values of 6-7.

Alpine desert soil

This is found in the far north, along the Kara-Kunlun Mountains, above 4 800
m, where the climate is cold and dry, with annual mean temperature of -8C and low

annual precipitation. Ceratoides compacta, Stipa glareosa, Carex

moorcroftii and Oxytropis spp. are the only plants that survive. The OM content of
the soil is less than 1 percent and pH is around 8.6.
Subalpine desert soil
This is found in far western Tibet, in Rutob and Zhada counties, where the
altitude is 3 600-4 500 m. It developed under a temperate, dry climate with annual
mean temperature of 0 to -3C and annual precipitation of 50-150 mm. Only a few
cold- and drought-tolerant plants grow, such as Ceratoides sp., Ajania fruticulosa,
Ptilotrichum canescens and Ephedra spp. The OM content of the soil is less than 0.5
percent, with strong alkalinity at the surface.
Meadow soil and marshland soils
These two types, the best for grazing and mowing, are in low valleys and
basins. Vegetation varies depending on soil moisture. On meadow
soil, Kobresia spp. and Carex spp. are the common species. In marshland, there are
plants such as Ranunculus, Hippuris and Potamogeton, in addition to Kobresia spp.
and Carex spp. Meadow soil has 7 percent of organic matter, on average, and
marshland soil has more than 10 percent and up to 20 percent. The average pH
range in both types is 6-8.
Taupe soil and Brown soil
These are found in southeastern forest zones. Taupe soil is found between 3
600 and 4 200 m and brown soil below 3 700 m. Taupe soil is found under temperate
and semi-humid climates with average annual temperature of 2-5C and annual
precipitation of 400-700 mm. Trees such as Populus davidiana, Betula
platyphylla, Picea likiangensis var. balfouriana and Sabina tibetica are common, as
are shrubs like Sabina wallichiana, and Spiraea sp. Grass-like species such
as Kobresia spp. and Carex spp. are common, as are Potentilla spp. Brown soil is
found in warm semi-humid climatic condition with average annual temperatures of
7-13C and annual precipitation of 350-600 mm. Both shrubs and grass are
common. The common shrubs are Sophora viciifolia, Ceratositgma minus,

Caragana sp.,Lonicera thibetica and Rhamnus sp. The OM contents of taupe soil
and brown soil are 6 percent and 5 percent, respectively.

TABLE 8.3
Subtypes of soil under alpine steppe soil.

Subtypes of soil

Alpine meadow-steppe soil

Alpine desert-steppe soil

OM content (%)

1.5 - 3.5

< 0.8

Alpine shrubby-steppe soil

1.5 - 2.0

Alpine alkalized-steppe soil

1.4

Vegetation

pH

Stipa purpurea, Kobresia spp., Carex spp., etc.

7-8

Orinus, Stipa spp.

>9

Stipa purpurea, Stipa glareosa, etc.

7-8

Kobresia spp., Poa annua, Trikeraia hookeri, etc.

7-8

SOURCE: Land Management Bureau of Tibet Autonomous Region, 1992.

5. Flora and Fauna

Over 5000 senior plants, 39 of which have been list as wild plants under state
key protection, grow in Tibet.
The region also boasts 798 species of vertebrates and 2,305 species of
insects.
Some 125 animals in Tibet have been list as rare species under top
government protection.(Tibetan antelope, yak, and snow chicken and blackneck crane)
6,400 kinds of plants including 40 kinds of rare species.
Tibet has more than 2,300 species of insects; 64 species of fish; 45 species of
amphibians; 55 pieces of reptiles; 488 species of birds; and 142 species of
beasts.
It has over 1,000 sorts of herbal medicine, about one third of the national total.
6,400 kinds of plants including 40 kinds of rare species.

Examples of Flora
Liana (Ampelocissus xizangensis )
Its climbing branchlets, which are cylindrical and gradually tapering, have
longitudinal ridges and sometimes a slight, pale wooliness.
The flower buds of A. xizangensis emerge elliptic, with a rounded apex, and
measure 2 to 2.5 mm in length, blooming in July.
The fruit of A. xizangensis is a one- to four-seeded, grape-like berry

 Himalayan Cedar (Cedrus deodara )

The leaves are needle-like, mostly 2.55 cm long, occasionally up to 7 cm long,
slender (1 mm thick), borne singly on long shoots, and in dense clusters of 20-30 on
short shoots; they vary from bright green to glaucous blue-green in colour.
Southwesternmost Tibet and western Nepal, occurring at 15003200 m altitude.
Large evergreen coniferous tree reaching 4050 m tall

 Bukhara fleeceflower (Fallopia baldschuanica )

This is a vining plant with woody, climbing stems known to reach at least ten
meters (about 30 feet) in length.
The pointed oval or nearly triangular leaves are up to ten centimeters long and
borne on petioles
The inflorescence is an open array of narrow, branching, drooping or spreading
clusters of white flowers, each cluster reaching a maximum of 15 centimeters long.
The fruit is a shiny black achene about 2 millimeters wide.

Examples of Fauna
Tibetan anterlope

Snow chicken

 Black - necked crane