The dominant community types are herb-rich Festuca valesiaca-Stipa steppes with Pontic-Kazakh and western paleoarctic xerophytic tussock grasses (Stipa lessingiana, Stipa capillata, Festuca valesiaca) and with the east Pontic-Kazakh species Stipa zalesskii. Widespread species include Bromus riparius, Koeleria macrantha, Agropyron cristatum subsp. pectinatum, Elymus hispidus, Elymus hispidus subsp. barbulatus, and one also finds Poa angustifolia occasionally, and Poa bulbosa at impeded sites. Stipa pulcherrima, Stipa tirsa, and Stipa dasyphylla are much rarer. The absence of Stipa ucrainica, that dominates in the west-Pontic steppes, is characteristic. Xerophytic steppe species dominate amongst the herbs. Many "eastern" elements (mainly east-Pontic-Kazakh species) are typical here: Dianthus leptopetalus, Onosma simplicissima, Salvia stepposa, Aster sedifolius subsp. angustissimus, Aster tarbagatensis, Tanacetum achilleifolium, Onosma arenaria etc. Ephemerals and ephemeroids. Shrubs are also always present.

M6a (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

Small patches of alpine_sow_thistle and cow_parsley

Scattered: black_knapweed, thistles, cross_leaved_heath; also wood_horsetail (very rare)

M6b (wetter areas):

Biome:

Bushes: Blackthorn bushes and wild_shrub, most dense near rivers

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

Small patches of wood_horsetail, maybe some thistles/black_knapweed as well

M6c (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 6a 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