The Sayan montane conifer forests ecoregion (WWF ID: PA0519) covers the mid-elevation levels of the Sayan Mountains, the high mountain range between the taiga of Siberia, Russia to the north, and the steppes of Mongolia to the south.

[2] The ecoregion covers the forested mid-altitudes of the mountains, with a lower bound ranging from 600 to 900 meters about sea level (depending on local conditions), and an upper bound of 1,800 meters.

This ecoregion is one of high biodiversity, due to its position on the meeting lines of climate and floral zones, and the many micro-climates created by the mountainous terrain and steep river valleys.

This indicates a continental climate characterized by short, cool summers, and very cold, long winters, with wide differences between day and night temperatures.

The highest is the 'Light Needle-Leaf Sparse Taiga' zone (1,400 meters to 1,800 meters), an open canopy forest of Larix sibirica (Sibirian larch), with notable shrub and grass layers.