Mongolia can be roughly divided into three zones: grassland and shrubs (52% of the country), forests (15%) and desert vegetation (32%). Less than 1% of the country is used for human settlements and crop cultivation. Grasslands are used extensively for grazing, and despite the vast expanses, overgrazing is not uncommon.

Forests of Siberian larch (sometimes up to 45m high), Siberian and Scotch pine, and white and ground birch are regularly cut down for fuel and building, and are affected by mining and agriculture. In the Gobi , the saxaul shrub covers millions of hectares. Although it has virtually no leaves, the saxaul is highly adaptable and protects the environment from degradation and erosion, while providing protection and shade for animals. Khentii province and some other parts of central Mongolia are famous for the effusion of red, yellow and purple wildflowers, mainly rhododendrons and edelweiss. Extensive grazing is the major threat to Mongolia 's flowers, trees and shrubs: over 200 species are endangered.