Two thirds of the trees are coniferous, predominately larch, cedar, pine, fir and spruce. Of the deciduous species, birch, aspen and poplar are the most common. Shrubs such as willow, ledium, bird cherry, honeysuckle, rose willow, briar and hawthorn are abundant. Above the forest line are high altitude meadows covered with grasses and crawling juniper. Edelweiss grows here on the slopes and in the foothils.
Plant life is rich in medicinal herbs, fruits and berries.
Over 500 of the 2,260 species growing in the wild provide valuable raw material for the pharmaceutical industry. The steppes in the east and west are splendid pastures. The grass cover is rather diverse. Patches of salty soil are typical of the steppe zone. In the wooded northern regions, maral and row deer, wild boar, fox, lynx, ermine, siberian weasel, glutton and corsac are common.