拟建的羌塘高原美马错自然保护区是我国青藏高原高寒草原生态系统保存最完好的地区之一,区内含有野牦牛、藏野驴、藏羚等多种珍稀野生动物,其密度之高为西藏所仅见。该地区具有极高的自然保护价值,应作为代表青藏高原高寒草原生态系统的典型地区,列为国家级自然保护区。

The Maimacuo nature reserve is situated in the northwestern part of the Qiangtang Plateau in Tibet, extending from 80°40' to 83°30'E and from 33°30' to 34°40'N with an area of about 25 thousand km2. In administrative division the reserve is part of both Ritu county and Gaize county.The basic character of the topography in the reserve is that the high mountain alternates wi h the lake basin. The climate is cold and dry. The annual temperature approximates to0℃——1℃, and the mean temperature is - l4℃ in the coldest month (January) and 10℃ inthe warmest month (July). The frost-free period lasts from 20 to 40 days every year and the annual pricitation is 150-200 mm.The basic vegetation type is the high-cold steppe. The plants grow well and have 6 main formations as follows. Form. Stipa purpurea, Form. Stipa subsessififlora var. basiplumosa, Form, Carcx moorcroftii, Form. Artemisia nanschanica, Form. Artemisia strackeyi, and Form. Oxy-tropis microphylla.The reserve is rich in wild animals. There are rare or nearly extinct wild animals among them, such as Poephagus mutus, Pantnolops hodgsoni, Asinus kiang, Ovis ammon, Pan-thera uncia, etc. These wild animals are seldom seen in Tibet.Seeing that the primeval high-cold steppe ecosystem remains in this region and has important scientific value, the author suggests that the Maimacuo nature reserve be protected as, the representative ecosystem of Tibet.