The vegetation of the ecoregion is predominantly thornbush meadows and alphine grasslands. 72% of the ground in the ecoregion is herbaceous cover or shrubs; the remainder is bare ground. The habitat is considered vulnerable due to livestock grazing and diversion of water sources. Over 190 species of vertebrates have been recorded in the ecoregion. Only one, however, is endemic - the endangered Afghan brook salamander, which may have a range of less than 10 square kilometers, and number fewer than 2,000 individuals. Birds of conservation interest include the near-threatened Cinereous vulture (
Aegypius monachus), the endangered
Egyptian vulture (
Neophron percnopterus), the vulnerable Pale-backed pigeon (
Columba eversmanni), and the endangered Rufous backed bunting (
Emberiza jankowskii). == Protected areas ==