Which vegetation zones occur from the Tien Shan foothills to its high peaks?

The vegetation of the Tien Shan is organized into distinct altitudinal zones:

• Foothills and Plains: Characterized by semidesert and desert environments featuring ephemeral plants, drought-tolerant grasses, wormwood, and Ephedra shrubs.1
• Steppe: The most common landscape, occurring between approximately 3,500 and 11,000 feet.1
• Forests: Found primarily on northern slopes between 5,000 and 10,000 feet. Lower slopes feature deciduous trees like maple, aspen, and wild fruit trees, while coniferous forests predominate north and east of the Fergana Valley. Juniper, walnut, and pistachio stands are also present.1
• Meadows: Subalpine meadows of mixed grasses and cereals extend to nearly 10,000 feet on moist northern slopes. Short-grass alpine meadows reach up to 11,500 feet.1
• High Altitudes: Between 11,200 and 12,000 feet, the landscape transitions to "cold deserts" with sparse vegetation. In the highest glacial zones, only mosses and lichens survive where soil is absent.1