The horizontal and vertical structure is similar to that of unit M1. Stipa tirsa, Stipa lessingiana, Stipa capillata, Stipa zalesskii, Festuca valesiaca and Bromus riparius prevail here. Stipa pulcherrima, Stipa dasyphylla and Stipa pennata also occur, but without any major coenotic role. The Pontic euxerophilic species Stipa ucrainica is usually missing here. Apart from species typical for Pontic steppe lands such as Poa angustifolia, Bromus inermis, Elymus hispidus subsp. barbulatus amongst others, the east Pontic- Kazakh species Stipa zalesskii as well as the eastern species Elymus stipifolius and Helictotrichon schellianum are frequent. The common occurrence of mesoxerophilic meadow steppe herbs and typical xerophytic steppe species is also characteristic for the unit. The coenotic role of "eastern" herbs (Hedysarum grandiflorum, Asperula tephrocarpa, Crambe aspera etc.) increases, which distinguishes these steppes from those in the west-Pontic region. For middle-Pontic steppes an addition or dominance of the steppe shrub Caragana frutex is also characteristic, particularly at higher locations. On the other hand Spiraea hypericifolia, Spiraea crenata and Prunus tenella are much rarer.

M2a (standard biome):

Biome:

Bushes: wild_shrub (generally sparse distribution; occasional clumps on hillsides); very rare Blackthorn bushes

Grass mix: grass, kentucky_bluegrass, meadow_fescue, small_fescue, wavy_hair_grass, dead_grass

Scattered throughout: simbelmyne, alpine_sow_thistle, autumnal_dwarf_birch, oxeye_daisy

M2b (wetter areas):

Biome:

Bushes: Blackthorn bushes and wild_shrub, most dense near rivers

Grass mix: grass, kentucky_bluegrass, small_fescue, bottle_sedge, woodland_sedge, greater_wood_rush

Small clumps of wild_parsley, blackberry_bush, bilberry_bush

M1c (disturbed ground):

Include patches of dirt

Biome: either of the above, though beach is likely more common

Grass mix and other plants: again, may be identical to either of the above, but the 1a mix is more likely (these are meant to represent former campsites and grazing areas, which I’d think would be on drier ground)

Distinctive features: small clumps of wormwood scattered through these areas