Resources and evaluation of gramineous plants in Karakorum Mountains of China

The results of investigation on wild gramineous plants in Karakorum Mountains of China showed that there are 18 genera, 79 species, 4 subspecies and 2 varieties. In which, around 45% to 49% are the dominants of the grassland; 97.7% of them are high quality forages and the most important food of domestic and wild animals; 22 species of Leymus and Elymus are the kindred of crops；14 species of Achnatherum, Phragmites, Calamagrostis and Leymus are the plant resource for windbreak and sand fixation; 26 species of Poa and Puccinellia are the plant resource for water and soil erosion control; 9 species of Poa, Festuca and Koeleria are the resource of cool season turfgrasses in high altitude area and northern area.