The
Altai-Sayan region refers to an area of central Asia proximate to the
Altai Mountains and the
Sayan Mountains, near to where
Russia,
China,
Mongolia and
Kazakhstan come together. This region is one of the world centers of
temperate plant diversity. Its biological, landscape, historical, cultural and religious diversity is unique. 3,726 species of
vascular plants are registered in the region including 700 threatened or rare species, 317 of which are
endemic; fauna consists of 680 species, 6% of which are endemic. Its ecosystem is comparatively unchanged since the last ice age, and it is the host of endangered species that include the
saiga,
nerpa, and
snow leopard. It is the focus of ongoing international and regional environmental conservation initiatives.