Khar Yamaat Nature Reserve: Biodiversity, Ecosystem Features, Threats and Conservation Management

This paper addresses the ecosystem characteristics, biodiversity, conservation priorities, current threats and sustainable management of Khar Yamaat Nature Reserve, which lies in northeastern Mongolia. The formation of Khar Yamaat’s ecosystem and its biological diversity are unique in eastern Mongol...

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Main Authors: Badamdorj Bayartogtokh, Basan Munkhchuluun, Purevdorj Jargalsaikhan, Uudus Bayarsaikhan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: National University of Mongolia 2020-12-01
Series:Mongolian Journal of Biological Sciences
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.biotaxa.org/mjbs/article/view/65846
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author Badamdorj Bayartogtokh
Basan Munkhchuluun
Purevdorj Jargalsaikhan
Uudus Bayarsaikhan
author_facet Badamdorj Bayartogtokh
Basan Munkhchuluun
Purevdorj Jargalsaikhan
Uudus Bayarsaikhan
author_sort Badamdorj Bayartogtokh
collection DOAJ
description This paper addresses the ecosystem characteristics, biodiversity, conservation priorities, current threats and sustainable management of Khar Yamaat Nature Reserve, which lies in northeastern Mongolia. The formation of Khar Yamaat’s ecosystem and its biological diversity are unique in eastern Mongolia. Biogeographically, this nature reserve is located at the intersection between different phytogeographical regions, specifically the Central-Khalkh dry steppe, Mongol-Dahurian forest-steppe, and Eastern-Mongolian tall-grass steppe. As such, this nature reserve is home to a diverse complement of plants and animals representing the various ecoregions, was established in 1998 to protect 50,691 hectares of rocky-mountains surrounded by vast steppes. Khar Yamaat’s unique geological formation and assemblage of ecosystems have, since then, become an area of focus for environmental restoration and a center for research and monitoring. In general, the habitats of the nature reserve were found to be largely intact, if stressed to varying degrees, but wildlife populations appeared to be low. Anthropogenic influences, particularly heavy grazing by livestock, have threatened some species of vascular plants with extinction and reduced the abundance and distributions of a few other species. Serious threats included excessive or illegal take of plants and animals, overgrazing by livestock, human caused wildfires, climate change and associated drought, and mining in the buffer zone. In this paper, we discuss issues of conservation and sustainable management of Khar Yamaat Nature Reserve.
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issn 1684-3908
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publishDate 2020-12-01
publisher National University of Mongolia
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spelling doaj-art-91f4031bbea74f00991032fcebc2f60e2025-08-20T02:17:20ZengNational University of MongoliaMongolian Journal of Biological Sciences1684-39082225-49942020-12-0119231510.22353/mjbs.2021.19.01Khar Yamaat Nature Reserve: Biodiversity, Ecosystem Features, Threats and Conservation ManagementBadamdorj Bayartogtokh0Basan Munkhchuluun1Purevdorj Jargalsaikhan2Uudus Bayarsaikhan3Department of Biology, School of Arts and Sciences, National University of Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar 14201, Mongolia WWF Mongolia Programme Offi ce, Amar street 4, Sukhbaatar district, P.O. Box 20A/115, Ulaanbaatar 14200, MongoliaDepartment of Biology, School of Arts and Sciences, National University of Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar 14201, MongoliaDepartment of Biology, School of Arts and Sciences, National University of Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar 14201, MongoliaThis paper addresses the ecosystem characteristics, biodiversity, conservation priorities, current threats and sustainable management of Khar Yamaat Nature Reserve, which lies in northeastern Mongolia. The formation of Khar Yamaat’s ecosystem and its biological diversity are unique in eastern Mongolia. Biogeographically, this nature reserve is located at the intersection between different phytogeographical regions, specifically the Central-Khalkh dry steppe, Mongol-Dahurian forest-steppe, and Eastern-Mongolian tall-grass steppe. As such, this nature reserve is home to a diverse complement of plants and animals representing the various ecoregions, was established in 1998 to protect 50,691 hectares of rocky-mountains surrounded by vast steppes. Khar Yamaat’s unique geological formation and assemblage of ecosystems have, since then, become an area of focus for environmental restoration and a center for research and monitoring. In general, the habitats of the nature reserve were found to be largely intact, if stressed to varying degrees, but wildlife populations appeared to be low. Anthropogenic influences, particularly heavy grazing by livestock, have threatened some species of vascular plants with extinction and reduced the abundance and distributions of a few other species. Serious threats included excessive or illegal take of plants and animals, overgrazing by livestock, human caused wildfires, climate change and associated drought, and mining in the buffer zone. In this paper, we discuss issues of conservation and sustainable management of Khar Yamaat Nature Reserve.https://www.biotaxa.org/mjbs/article/view/65846protected areabiodiversityconservationthreatssustainable managementmongolia
spellingShingle Badamdorj Bayartogtokh
Basan Munkhchuluun
Purevdorj Jargalsaikhan
Uudus Bayarsaikhan
Khar Yamaat Nature Reserve: Biodiversity, Ecosystem Features, Threats and Conservation Management
Mongolian Journal of Biological Sciences
protected area
biodiversity
conservation
threats
sustainable management
mongolia
title Khar Yamaat Nature Reserve: Biodiversity, Ecosystem Features, Threats and Conservation Management
title_full Khar Yamaat Nature Reserve: Biodiversity, Ecosystem Features, Threats and Conservation Management
title_fullStr Khar Yamaat Nature Reserve: Biodiversity, Ecosystem Features, Threats and Conservation Management
title_full_unstemmed Khar Yamaat Nature Reserve: Biodiversity, Ecosystem Features, Threats and Conservation Management
title_short Khar Yamaat Nature Reserve: Biodiversity, Ecosystem Features, Threats and Conservation Management
title_sort khar yamaat nature reserve biodiversity ecosystem features threats and conservation management
topic protected area
biodiversity
conservation
threats
sustainable management
mongolia
url https://www.biotaxa.org/mjbs/article/view/65846
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AT basanmunkhchuluun kharyamaatnaturereservebiodiversityecosystemfeaturesthreatsandconservationmanagement
AT purevdorjjargalsaikhan kharyamaatnaturereservebiodiversityecosystemfeaturesthreatsandconservationmanagement
AT uudusbayarsaikhan kharyamaatnaturereservebiodiversityecosystemfeaturesthreatsandconservationmanagement