At its far eastern end, the Eurasiatic mountain system reaches the warm temperate climates of W-China. Sharp, V-shaped valleys, lined with incredibly rich deciduous forest vegetation drain the waters from upper catchments which make a European visitor feel at home: Forests of Picea, Abies and Larix, which reach the treeline at 3500 to 3700 m in elevation, are often replaced by pastures, which again have genera resembling, in large part, those present on their European counterparts. Noteworthy is the abundance of Edelweiss. The examples shown here are from the province of Sichuan.

1 - The treeline at 3700 m.

2 - Passing mountain villages at c. 2000 m elevation remind the traveller of the S-Alps.

3 - The shrubland near treeline at 3500 m is enormously rich in deciduous broad leaved species (easily more than 20 species on this slope, e.g. Quercus, Sorbus, Betula, Hippophae, Lonicera, Crataegus, Rosa, Prunus, Rhododendron, Berberis).

4 - A pasture near the treeline at 3600 m with species of Veratrum, Gnaphalium, Polygonum, Saussurea, Pedicularis, Campanula, Geum, Aster, Potentilla, Lilium and Leontopodium.

5 - Lilium sp. (Liliaceae) in meadows near the treeline of Sechuan, compare the S-Alps.

6 - Alpine meadows with Edelweiss (Leontopodium sp. (Asteraceae)).

29 August 2011
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