Biodiversity in Afghanistan

Geologically, there are two clearly defined major tectonic lineaments in Afghanistan (Kabul-Herat and Moqor-Chaman Line) that divide the country into three main blocks: North Afghan-Tajikistan block; East Iran-central Afghan block; and East and southeast Afghan-Pakistan block. The particularly diverse fauna of Afghanistan is supported by the complex geography of the region. In phytogeographical terms, most of the area is Irano-Turanian; a term which has been much used to describe the overall pattern of plant geography in highland southwest Asia but, with our ever-increasing knowledge of plant distributions and endemism, Irano-Turkestanian is probably a better descriptive term for at least the Afghanistan area. The fauna of the northern plains shows strong affinities with that of the deserts and steppe of southern former USSR, while elements of the Indian fauna are included in the herpeto-fauna in the south and east. The most common and abundant amphibian is the green toad which is found all over the country.