Tso Moriri is situated in an extremely fragile high-altitude desert ecosystem.
* **Conservation Status:** The lake and its surrounding bogs were designated as a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance in 2002 (the highest lake in the world to receive this designation at the time). It is also part of the Tso Moriri Wetland Conservation Reserve. * **Water Quality:** The lake is oligotrophic (low in nutrients) and alkaline/brackish. It is fed by springs and snowmelt from the adjacent mountains and has no outlet. * **Air Quality:** The air quality is exceptionally pristine due to the lack of industry and low population density, though atmospheric oxygen levels are significantly lower due to the extreme altitude. * **Flora & Fauna:** The region is a vital breeding ground for avian species, notably the vulnerable Black-necked Crane, Bar-headed Geese, and Brown-headed Gulls. Mammals in the surrounding basin include the Tibetan Wild Ass (Kiang), Himalayan Marmot, Tibetan Wolf, and the elusive Snow Leopard. * **Sustainability Challenges:** Unregulated off-roading, plastic pollution from tourism, and climate change (affecting glacial melt) pose significant threats. Local regulations strictly prohibit pitching tents on the immediate lake banks and mandate that vehicles stay on designated paths.
