To the north is the Yellow River basin, a loess-soil region of temperate deciduous forests.

In between, the Qin Mountains support many rare and endemic species, including the Giant panda and the Sichuan snub-nosed monkey.

The Qin Ling deciduous forests ecoregion sits on the north-facing ridge of the divide; the Daba Mountains face south.

The middle elevations support a mixed forest of deciduous trees (oak and birch) and evergreen conifers such as Chinese white pine (Pinus armandii).

A stable population of the Giant panda is found in the Foping National Nature Reserve in the ecoregion.