Where forests meet grasslands: Forest-steppes in Eurasia

Despite the ecological, economic and conservation importance of forest-steppes, a continental scale synthesis of this complex ecosystem has been lacking. In a recent review, we compiled scattered knowledge about Eurasian forest-steppes in a new synthesis, proposed a new forest-steppe definition, reviewed how the biogeographic position of this ecosystem is perceived by different authors from different regions, delineated the main regions based on criteria of flora, physiognomy (i.e., vegetation structure), relief, and climate,and explored the conservation importance of forest-steppes. Here we complement some of the key findings of the review and illustrate some topics with further specific examples.(VLID)463075