The southern saxaul forests cover 15.3 per cent of the country’s forested land and consist primarily of saxaul (Haloxylon ammodendrori) and other species such as tamarix (Tamarix spp.) The saxaul vegetation is a unique feature of Mongolia’s semi-desert and desert ecosystems and has important ecological, cultural and economic functions. These forests protect the land against erosion and desertification, and provide fodder for livestock and fuelwood. Siberian larch is the dominant species in terms of both area (62.5 per cent) and volume (78.6 per cent).