Аннотация:Combin ation of steppe and tundra locations at the Altai highland depressions – Bertek and Khindiktig-Khol’ – is considered with regard to the hypothesis verification of steppe-tundra existence in northern Eurasia during the Last Glacial Maximum and its contemporary landscape an alogues. Data on soil-vegetation cover diversity at the Altai highland depressions are represented. Cause-and-effect relations explaining spatial differentiation of n ature complexes are identified. Thermal regime of locations with the predominance of steppe and dwarf birch vegetation is investigated. Interrelation between soil-vegetation cover differentiation and distinction in microclimate and permafrost boundary are proved.