Wildlife of Mongolia

The country is bounded by Tibet, Afghan Turkestan, Siberia, and Northeast China. This has resulted in a faunal richness that combines the species from each of the border nations.{{Cite web|url=http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/389335/Mongolia/27437/Animal-life|title=Mongolia: Animal life|access-date=2 May 2013|publisher=Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc}} Habitat distribution consists of grassland, shrubland and forest covering 55 percent of the country, while forest cover is 98 percent in the steppe zone{{Clarify|date=August 2023 |reason=This sounds wrong}}, 36 percent is covered by desert vegetation.

File:Orchon-mongolei.JPG

File:Panoramic view of Lake Khövsgöl.jpg

The drainage pattern is dictated by Asia's continental divide. This separates areas that drain to the Arctic Ocean from those that drain northeast into the Pacific. The Khangai Mountains form another divide between areas that drain into the oceans and those that drain inland. In the western and southern zones, streams flow seasonally into salt water lakes without outlets. Rivers of the northern region are perennial, rising from the mountains. The two major river systems are the Orkhon River (Mongolia's longest inland river within the country, which joins the Selenge River) and the Selenge River (Selenga in Russian). Lakes in the country are mostly saline. The largest by volume is freshwater Lake Khövsgöl, a natural lake formed in a structural depression.{{Cite web|url=http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/389335/Mongolia/27433/Drainage|title=Mongolia: Drainage|access-date=2 May 2013|publisher=Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc}} It is the second oldest lake in the world and accounts for 65 percent of the fresh water of Mongolia (2 percent of that in the world).{{Sfn|Kohn|2008|pages=50–51}}

The climatic conditions dictated by the oceans on one side and the snow-capped mountains (average peak elevation of {{Convert|5180|m}} in high northern latitudes) on the other side, have a significant bearing on the wildlife distribution in the country. The climate patterns are: continental climate with very cold conditions (anticyclones are formed here over Siberia) and cool to hot summers in the deserts and semi deserts. Temperature records indicate a very wide variation between winter and summer, of the order of {{Convert|80|F-change}} on average in the northern part of the country, and even on a single day the variation can be as much as {{Convert|55|F-change}}. In the Ulaanbaatar area the typical variation reported is {{convert|-7|F}} in January and {{Convert|63|F}} in July while in the Gobi Desert area, the average temperature reported for January is {{Convert|5|F}} and {{Convert|7|F}} in July.

Rainfall and snow are also very uneven, dependent on elevation and latitude. Annual amounts range from low-lying desert areas of the south and west where it is less than {{Convert|4|in}} to northern mountainous areas, where it is reported as about {{Convert|14|in}}, while at Ulaanbaatar the reported annual rainfall is {{Convert|10|in}}. The number of days the sky remains clear and sunny is between 220 and 260 annually. Fierce blizzards occur in the mountain regions and the steppes. During this period a thin layer of snow totally stops grazing in these pastures.

Commercial exploitation increased between the seventeenth and twentieth centuries, necessitating increased legislation. Two laws were enacted in 1995, the Mongolian Law on Environmental Protection and the Mongolian Law on Hunting.{{cite book|last1=Badarch|first1=Dėndėviĭn|last2=Zilinskas|first2=Raymond A.|last3=Balint|first3=Peter J.|title=Mongolia Today: Science, Culture, Environment and Development|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JFCcHroYNCUC&pg=PA41|access-date=30 April 2013|year=2003|publisher=Psychology Press|isbn=978-0-7007-1598-5|pages=41–}} The steppe habitat for Mongolian gazelle (Procapra gutturosa), an area of {{convert|275000|km2}}, is reported to be the "largest remaining example of a temperate grassland ecosystem".{{cite book|last=Olson|first=Kirk A.|title=Ecology and Conservation of Mongolian Gazelle (Procapra gutturosa Pallas 1777) in Mongolia|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=m9-6M_IxuYAC|access-date=30 April 2013|year=2008|publisher=University of Massachusetts Amherst|isbn=978-0-549-78947-5}}

File:Gorkhi-Terelj National Park 57.JPG

Immediately after Mongolia attained independence in 1990, there was enthusiasm to declare 100 percent of the country as a national park. However, the goal was set at an achievable 30 percent. But due to economic conditions dictating development of mines, the achievement so far has been of the order of 13.8 percent covering an area of {{Convert|215200|km2}} spread over 60 protected areas. There are four categories of protected areas, and these are: strictly protected areas (prohibiting hunting, logging and development with no human habitation as the defined areas are very fragile); the national parks, with their historical and educational interest providing for ecotourism in identified areas and with limited access to the local nomads for fishing and grazing; natural and historic monuments with restricted developmental activities; and nature reserves of less important regions providing protection to endangered and rare species of flora and fauna and archeological value with limited access for development within prescribed guidelines.{{Sfn|Kohn|2008|p=52}}

The strictly protected areas are Bogd Khan Uul Biosphere Reserve (established in 1966 covering {{Convert|67300|ha}} including buffer and transition areas{{Cite web|url=http://www.unesco.org/mabdb/br/brdir/directory/biores.asp?code=MON+02&mode=all|title= Bogd Khan Uul Biosphere Reserve|access-date=3 May 2013|publisher=UNESCO}}), Great Gobi Reserve (established as a reserve in 1975 and as a biosphere reserve in 1990 covering {{Convert|985000|ha}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.unesco.org/mabdb/br/brdir/directory/biores.asp?code=MON+01&mode=all|title= Great Gobi Biosphere Reserve |access-date=3 May 2013|publisher=UNESCO}}), Uvs Nuur Basin Reserve (established 1997 and covering {{Convert|810233.5|ha}}{{Cite web|url= http://www.eoearth.org/article/Uvs_Nuur_Basin,_Russian_Federation,_Republic_of_Tuva_and_Mongolia|title=Uvs Nuur Basin, Russian Federation, Republic of Tuva and Mongolia |access-date=3 May 2013 |publisher=Encyclopaedia Earth Organization}}), Dornod Mongol Biosphere Reserve (designated in 2005 and covering {{Convert|8429072|ha}}{{Cite web|url= http://www.unesco.org/mabdb/br/brdir/directory/biores.asp?mode=all&code=MON+05|title= Dornod Mongol Biosphere Reserve|access-date=3 May 2013|publisher=UNESCO}}) and Khustain Nuuru Reserve (established in 2003 covering {{Convert|50600|ha}}). They are all under the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Programme.{{Sfn|Kohn|2008|p=52}}

Some of the other protected are:{{Cite web|url=http://www.nationalparks-worldwide.info/mongolia.htm|title=The National Parks and Nature Reserves of Mongolia|access-date=3 May 2013|publisher= Nationalparks-worldwide.info}}

;Strictly protected areas

File:Otgon tenger uul 2009.jpg

• Khasagt Khayrkhan ({{Convert|27400|ha}})
• Khukh Serkhiin Nuruu ({{Convert|65900|ha}})
• Khan Khentii Uul ({{Convert|1227000|ha}})
• Otgon Tenger Reserve ({{Convert|95500|ha}})
• Numrug ({{Convert|311200|ha}})
• Mongol Daguur Biosphere Reserve ({{Convert|103000|ha}})

;National parks

{{multiple image

| align = right

| image1 = PrezHorseHustai.jpg

| width1 = 250

| alt1 =

| caption1 =

| image2 = Takhi Hustai.jpg

| width2 = 125

| alt2 =

| caption2 =

| footer = Left: herd of Przewalski horse or takhi in Hustai National Park; right: closeup

}}

• Gobiin Gurvan Saykhan ({{Convert|2171737|ha}})
• Khovsgul Nuur ({{Convert|838100|ha}})
• Khorgo Terkh Zagaan Nuur ({{Convert|77267|ha}})
• Gorkhi Terelj ({{Convert|286400|ha}})
• Altai Tavan Bogd National Park
• Tsambagarav Uul National Park
• Khustain Nuruu National Park
• Lake Khövsgöl National Park
• Southern Altai Gobi National Park

;National reserves

• Ugtam Uul ({{Convert|46160|ha}})
• Lkhachinvandad Uul ({{Convert|58800|ha}})
• Bulgan Gol ({{Convert|7700|ha}})
• Sharga and Mankhan ({{Convert|316900|ha}})
• Khustain Nuruu ({{Convert|49940|ha}})
• Nagalkhan Uul ({{Convert|3000|ha}})
• Batkhan Uul
• Gun-Galuut Nature Reserve

;National monuments

• Eej Khairkhan ({{Convert|22500|ha}})
• Bulgan Uul ({{Convert|1800|ha}})
• Togoo Tulga Uul ({{Convert|1665|ha}})
• Naiman Nuur ({{Convert|11500|ha}})
• Ganga Nuur ({{Convert|32860|ha}})

File:Haloxylon ammodendron.jpg) in Ömnögovi Province,]]

The flora in the wildlife area of Mongolia is of pasture lands in three-fourths of the country, which is the main source of feed for the large quantity of livestock. Forests and barren deserts cover the remaining area in the country.{{Cite encyclopedia |url=http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/389335/Mongolia |title=Mongolia |access-date=2 May 2013 |encyclopedia=Encyclopædia Britannica}} There are four vegetation zones. Coniferous forest form the taiga region of the northern areas with alpine noted at higher zones. In the mountain forest-steppe zone vegetation is dense on the northern slopes; Siberian larches (grows up to {{Convert|45|m}} height{{Sfn|Kohn|2008|p=51}}), Siberian cedars, interspersed with spruces, pines (Siberian and Scotch pines), and firs along with deciduous vegetation of white and brown birches, aspens, and poplars are noted to dominate the area. The inter-montane basins, wide river valleys and the southern slopes of the mountains have steppe vegetation. Pastureland have a cover of feather grass, couch grass, wormwood, and several species fodder plants. In the semi desert and Gobi Desert areas, the vegetation is scanty but just adequate for the camels, sheep and goat populations to survive. Saxaul is a xerophytic (drought-tolerant) species which provides firewood. Elms and poplars are also found near springs and underground water resources. Saxaul shrubs dominate the deserts and they anchor the sand dunes and prevent erosion. It grows to height of 4 m, over a period of 100 years, with very dense wood that sinks in water. Rhododendrons bloom with red, yellow and white flowers and edelweiss is also reported. More than 200 plant species are reported to be under threat.{{Sfn|Kohn|2008|p=51}}

There are 139 mammal species found in Mongolia, and 448 species of birds.

{{main|List of mammals of Mongolia}}

File:Uncia uncia.jpg)]]

Mongolia has a number of large mammals, including gray wolves and Siberian ibex (Capra sibirica), as well as more endangered species such as the wild Bactrian camel (Camelus ferus), the snow leopard (Uncia uncia), the Gobi bear, (rarest and unique to the desert region), the takhi (both wild and domestic types of horses) and the Asiatic wild ass (the largest numbers in the world are found in the Gobi desert).

The saiga antelope, once a common species, has been reduced by pressures including hunting, livestock grazing, and high Chinese medicinal value, with the Mongolian subspecies reaching a critically endangered level, with fewer than 5,000 individuals left in the wild. Przewalski's wild horse, in particular, had almost become extinct (not seen for more than three decades) and was therefore reintroduced from captive sources. Other species of mammals reported include: argali (Ovis ammon) (in the rocky mountains of the Gobi desert), common wolf, Mongolian saiga (Saiga tatarica mongolica), musk deer (Moschus moschiferus), Pallas's cat (Felis manul) or manul, black tailed gazelle (Gazelle subgutturosa), stone martin (Martes foina), and wild cats in the Altai ecoregion; wild boar (Sus scrofa nigipes), red deer (Cervus elaphus), roe deer in the forest areas and muskrat, red fox, steppe fox, and sable in the forest and steppe margin areas.{{Cite web|url=http://mongolia.panda.org/en/about_mongolia/wildlife/|title=Wildlife in Mongolia:Species Conservation work with WWF Mongolia|access-date=1 May 2013|publisher=World Wildlife Fund}}

Under the World Wildlife Fund-Mongolia conservation programme (a four-year project), snow leopards, Altai argali sheep, saiga antelope and gazelle of eastern Mongolia are receiving special attention. The Zoological Society of London has taken interest in conservation of the Bactrian camel, long-eared jerboa (Euchoreutes naso), Mongolian gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus) and saiga antelope.{{Cite web|url=http://www.zsl.org/conservation/regions/asia/mongolia/|title= Mongolia|access-date=2 May 2013|publisher=The Zoological Society of London}}

{{main|List of birds of Mongolia}}

{{multiple image

| align = right

| image1 = Royal Spoonbill mouth open.jpg

| width1 = 100

| alt1 =

| caption1 =

| image2 = Great Egret Fish.jpg

| width2 = 200

| alt2 =

| caption2 =

| footer = Left: A spoonbill; right: a great white egret

}}

The bird species in Mongolia include several that are very large. Six species of cranes present in Mongolia account for half the numbers in the world. There are 22 endangered species of birds including hawks, falcons, buzzards, cranes and owls. Though cranes are not hunted for superstitious reasons, they are still threatened due to habitat degradation and only 5,000 breeding pairs are reported, mostly in Dornod's Mongol Daguur Biosphere Reserve. In eastern Mongolia, a critically endangered species of crane is the white naped crane (Tsen togoru).{{Sfn|Kohn|2008|p=50}} Overall there are 469 species of birds, including domesticated species linked to wild ancestral species. Of these, 330 are migratory and 119 are seen throughout the year. Species identified include: golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), lammergeyer (Gypaetus barbatus), spoonbills (Platalea leucorodia), Dalmatian pelican (Pelecanus crispus), great white egrets (Egretta alba), whooper swans (Cygnus cygnus), great black-headed gulls (Larus ichthyaetus), black storks (Ciconia nigra), swan goose (Anser cygnoides) and Altai snowcock (Tetraogallus altaicus).

File:YellowPerch.jpg]]

The rivers and lakes of Mongolia are reported to have 76 species of fish, including trout, grayling ({{lang|mn|khadran}}; Arctic grayling, Mongolian grayling,{{cite book |title=Mongolia: The Bradt Travel Guide |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=u1Y-51tTJ78C&pg=PA208 |last=Blunden |first=Jane |page=208 |isbn=9781841621784 |edition=2|year=2008 }}), roach,{{rp|213}} lenok ({{lang|mn|zebge}}), Siberian sturgeon ({{lang|mn|khilem}}, pike{{cite book |editor-last=Petr |editor-first=T. |title=Fish and fisheries at higher altitudes : Asia |year=1999 |publisher=FAO |location=Rome |isbn=92-5-104309-4 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Z4HESCeJyZcC&dq=Vishansar+Lake&pg=PA72}}{{rp|210}} ({{lang|mn|tsurkhai}}), perch ({{lang|mn|algana}}), Altai osman (endemic to the rivers of Mongolia) and the taimen (a huge Siberian salmon relative, growing up to 1.5 m in length and 50 kg in weight).{{Sfn|Kohn|2008|p=50}}

{{Further|Environmental issues in Mongolia}}

In a country where Russia was supporting the economy with grants until it became independent in 1990, the situation drastically changed after independence. The country's revenue then depended more from the wildlife resources and its landscape, which were subject to serious exploitation necessitating a policy change towards ecotourism to generate revenue to preserve the remaining biodiversity of the country.{{Sfn|Kohn|2008|p=48}}

Other than official action to raise resources of the state, other major threats faced are illegal hunting (for musk deer, elk, boars, squirrels and marmot for illegal trade), grazing of pasture livestock and related needs of water resources (due to large increase in livestock population since 1990), climate change, fires in steppe and forests (resulting in death of many animal species) and severe cold and drought.{{Cite web|url=http://awsassets.panda.org/downloads/species_issues_in_mn__march04.pdf|title=Wild Life Issues in Mongolia|access-date=2 May 2013|publisher= WWF Mongolia Programme Office}}

For conservation of the rich biodiversity of the country, the government of Mongolia has established national parks and nature reserves supplemented with laws on hunting regulations and other conservation measures, and also on hunting and fishing for sport and for commercial purposes.

{{reflist}}

• {{cite book|author=Michael Kohn|title=Mongolia |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7JVGCF-MPB0C&pg=PA51|access-date=2 May 2013|year=2008|publisher=Lonely Planet|isbn=978-1-74104-578-9|pages=51–|ref={{SfnRef|Kohn|2008}}}}

{{Mongolia topics}}

{{Asia in topic|Wildlife of}}

Category:Biota of Mongolia

Mongolia