Mongolian Grasslands, Jehol Fossil Beds, and Daurian Flora, Part 3: Grasslands

Temperate Grasslands,  Savannas, and Shrublands

  1. Daurian forest-steppe (PA804).  This mostly grassland area supports scattered forests of birch and willow.  Found in the East Aimag, Khentii Aimag, and Zabaykalsky Krai in the map area.  There are three Ramsar sites, one of which is also a Biosphere Reserve.  The Khurkh-Kuiten River Valley, Khentii Aimag (24) is a Ramsar site which consists of lakes along a river valley, providing crane and stork habitat as well as an Important Bird Area (IBA) for lesser white-fronted goose and imperial eagle.  The Torey Lakes Ramsar Site and Daursky Biosphere Reserve, Zabaykalsky Krai (25) contains steppe, rivers, and islands which support 90 species of breeding birds and 42 mammals.  The lakes are an IBA for Baer’s pochard and Siberian crane. The area also supports patches of Pinus sylvestris forest.  In addition to the Daursky Biosphere Reserve, the Mongol Daguur (Mongolian Dauria) Strictly Protected Area, East Aimag (26), is also a Biosphere Reserve.  This area is across the border from the Russian Daursky Biosphere Reserve.  It is a low mountainous area with grasslands and numerous lakes, ponds, and wetlands supporting migratory birds.  It is an IBA for six species of crane, the swan goose, and waterbirds and is also habitat for the Daurian hedgehog.  Forests of willow, birch, and aspen are also present.

Other sites in the Daurian forest-steppe:

Argun’ River, Zabaykalsky Krai (27). The area along the river is an IBA for Baer’s pochard and Siberian crane.

Oglogchin Kherem (Almsgivers Wall), Khentii Aimag, Mongolia (28).  This eighth-century site has 60 ancient graves and a rock with script carved on it.

Onon-Balj National Conservation Park, Khentii Aimag, Mongolia (23).   The confluence of the Onon and Balj Rivers contains lakes, steppe, and willow groves.  This area is considered the birthplace of Genghis Khan.  The park is an IBA for the swan goose, Baikal teal, Pallas’s fish eagle.  Mammals include Daurian ground squirrel, grey wolf, and raccoon dog.  Rare fish in the rivers include eastern brook lamprey and Amur sturgeon.

Turgen Tsagaan, Zegst, and Tuulaitiyn Burd Lakes, East Aimag (29).  Grassland, rolling hills, and small lakes in the Ulz River valley are an IBA for the white-naped crane, Siberian crane, and hooded crane.  Mammals include Mongolian gazelle and Siberian marmot.

Ugtam Mountain Nature Reserve, East Aimag (30).  Small lakes in the Ulz River valley are present, along with mountain steppe, forest-steppe, and grassland.  The area is an IBA for the swan goose, saker falcon, and lesser kestrel.  Other species are red deer, wild boar, and Mongolian gazelle.

 

  1. Mongolian-Manchurian grassland (PA813).  Flat to rolling grasslands provide habitat for wild ungulates and are used for sheep and goat grazing.  Grassland tours can be arranged.  This vast ecoregion is found in the East Aimag, East Gobi Aimag, Hebei Province, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Khentii Aimag, Liaoning Province, Shanxi Province, and Sukhbaatar Aimag in the map area.  World Heritage Sites in the ecoregion are the Great Wall, Xanadu, and the Yungang Grottoes.  The Great Wall in the grasslands is found in Hebei Province, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, and Shanxi Province.  The world’s largest military structure was built from 220 BC to 1600 AD and served a single strategic purpose for 2,000 years.  The section at Desheng Bao (31) contains historic forts and scenic ruins. Xanadu, found in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region (32), was the capital city of Kublai Khan, designed in 1256 and planned using feng shui principles.  It was abandoned in 1430.  It was an important stop on the silk route and was visited by Marco Polo who wrote about the wonders of the city.  The ruins of temples, palaces, tombs and the Tiefangan Canal can be seen.  Yungang Grottoes, Shanxi (33) is a world heritage site dating to the fifth and sixth centuries; the 252 caves at this site contain 51,000 statues and are the outstanding achievement of Bhuddist art.  In adition to grottoes, the area has a castle, defense wall, and beacon tower from the Ming dynasty.

There are three Ramsar sites in the Mongolian grassland (PA 813) ecoregion, Buir Lake, Dalai Lake, and Ganga Lakes.  Buir Lake, East Aimag, Mongolia (34) is a wet grassland, wetland, aquatic and sand dune reserve which is habitat for 236 birds and is an IBA for Oriental stork, swan goose, and Baikal teal. Dalai (Hulun) Lake National Nature Reserve, Hulun-Buir, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region (35), is a 740,000-ha grassland, wetland, and aquatic reserve supports 284 bird species and 30 fish at the largest lake in the map area.  The area is also a biosphere reserve and important bird area for the swan goose, ducks, and eagles. Ganga Lakes Natural Monument Area, Sukhbaatar Aimag, Mongolia (36), contains wetlands, steppe, and sand dunes, and is an important bird area for white-naped crane, swan goose, and great bustard.  Nearby Dariganga is grassland with volcanic craters and sand dunes.  The Khurgiin Khundii valley contains stone statues from the 13th or 14th century.

There are four Biosphere Reserves in the Mongolian grassland (PA 813) ecoregion, East Mongol, Mongol Dauria, Saihan Wula, and Xilin Gol.  Mongol Daguur (Mongolian Dauria) Strictly Protected Area, East Aimag (26), is across the border from the Russian Daursky Biosphere Reserve.  It is a low mountainous area with grasslands and numerous lakes, ponds, and wetlands supporting migratory birds.  It is an IBA for six species of crane, the swan goose, and waterbirds and is also habitat for the Daurian hedgehog.  Khukh Lake on the Teel River in the southern part of the area is an IBA for swan goose, white-naped crane, and hooded crane.  Forests of willow, birch, and aspen are also present.  Saihan Wula (Sovereign Mountains) Biosphere Reserve, Chifeng, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region (38), is an area of mountain forests and grasslands.  The biosphere reserve focuses on the issues of desertification, including drought and soil erosion.  It is an IBA for swan goose, eagles, and great bustard.  Xilin Gol Nature Reserve, Xilingol League, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region (39), is 600 km north of Beijing and was established to focus on sustainable grassland use.  The area also contains wetlands and is an IBA for the swan goose and great bustard.

Also in the Mongolian Grasslands ecoregion is the Hexigten Geopark, Chifeng, Inner Mongolia (8).  The eight scenic areas making up the geopark are the Arshihaty granite forest, Qing Mountain granite features, the Dali Lake volcanic landform (also an Important Bird Area), the Huanggang Quaternary glacial vestige area, the Reshuitang thermal spring, the Pingding Mountain cirque, the Xilamulun River, and Hunshandak sand dunes.

Other sites in the Mongolian Grasslands (PA 813):

Bayan Obo Nature Reserve, Chifeng city, Inner Mongolia (9).  This area of grassland and shrubland is an IBA for the great bustard, cranes, and Oriental white stork, swan goose, eagles, swans, and cranes.

Caimu Mountain Nature Reserve, Xilingol League, Inner Mongolia (40).  An area of forest and grassland contains wetlands and sand dunes, this area is an IBA for swan goose, Formosan duck, and great bustard.

Dali Lake Nature Reserve, Chifeng, Inner Mongolia (41).  Part of the Hexigten Geopark, this area of grassland, wetlands, and sand dunes is an IBA for the Oriental white stork, eagles, swans, and cranes.

Damoqi area, Baotou, Inner Mongolia (42). The desert grasslands north of Baotou and adjoining the Mongolian border are an IBA for the great bustard and lesser kestrel.

Hasuhai Nature Reserve, Ordos, Inner Mongolia (43).  This area of reeds and marshes along the floodplain of the Yellow River is an IBA for the Baer’s pochard.

Honggolj Nature Reserve, Hulun-Buir, Inner Mongolia (21).  This grassland and pine forest area is an IBA for the great bustard.

Hui River Nature Reserve, Hulun-Buir, Inner Mongolia (44).  The 120,000-ha protected area along a grassland river contains shallow marshes and ponds with reeds.  It is an IBA for swan goose, eagles, and cranes.

Huret area, Hulun-Buir, Inner Mongolia (45).  This area of grasslands and wetlands along the Argun River at the Russian border is an IBA for the swan goose and cranes.

Inner Mongolia Grassland Ecosystem Research Station, Xilingol League, Inner Mongolia (46).  This site of the Chinese Academy of Sciences focuses on long-term monitoring, biodiversity, and grassland ecosystem management.

Khar Yamant Nature Reserve, Sukhbaatar Aimag, Mongolia (47).  The valley of the Kherlin River provides riparian habitat used by thousands of waterbirds, and the area is an IBA for the swan goose, falcated duck and saker falcon.  Mammals include Siberian roe deer and red deer.  The reserve also contains mountains and cliffs.

Kherlen Bar Khot, East Aimag, Mongolia (48).  This area is the remains of a 12th century city.

Maikhant Mountain, Khentii Aimag, Mongolia (49).  Mountain hot and rocky hills are an IBA for saker falcon, lesser kestrel, and white-naped crane.  Mammals include argali (mountain sheep) and red deer.

Nomrog Strictly Protected Area, East Aimag, Mongolia (50).  At the edge of the steppe, these mountain foothills support grassland and birch forest.  The area is an IBA for swan goose, saker falcon, great bustard, white-naped crane and common pheasant.  Mammals include Eurasian otter, European elk, and brown bear.

Qagan Lake Nature Reserve, Wilingol League, Inner Mongolia (51).  Two linked lakes are an IBA for the swan goose and white-naped crane.

Sangiin Dalai Lake, East Aimag, Mongolia (52).  This is a spring-fed salt lake with vegetated sand dunes (Vangiin Tsagaan Uul) nearby.

Shaazan Lake, East Aimag, Mongolia (53).  A small lake in the Kherlan River valley attracts Demoiselle cranes which congregate near wheat fields and along the river.  The area is an IBA for cranes and the swan goose.  Mammals include the Siberian marmot and Asian badger.

Tashgain Tavan Lakes, East Aimag, Mongolia (54).  A depression containing wetlands located southeast of Buir Lake is an IBA for the swan goose, white-naped crane, hooded crane, and great bustard.

Toson Khulstai Strictly Protected Area, East Aimag, Mongolia (55).  This area protects white-tailed gazelle.

Tsengeleg Lakes, East Aimag, Mongolia (56).  Several steppe lakes are an IBA for the swan goose, white-naped crane, and great bustard.

Tsonjiin Chuluu, East Gobi Aimag, Mongolia (57).  This rock formation gives the appearance of organ pipes.

Ulgai Wetland Nature Reserve, Xilingol League, Inner Mongolia (58).    This area along the Ulgai River contains grassland and wetlands and is an IBA for the swan goose, great bustard, and cranes.

Wudang Lamasery, Ordos, Inner Mongolia (59).  This Buddhist monastery has Qing murals.

 Montane Grasslands and  Shrublands

  1. Ordos Plateau Steppe (PA1013) contains scrub vegetation with some desertification from heavy grazing.  Found in Ordos and Hohhot cities, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region in the map area, the following sites are of note:

Hasuhai Nature Reserve, Ordos, Inner Mongolia (43).  This area of reeds and marshes along the floodplain of the Yellow River is an IBA for the Baer’s pochard.

Resonant Sand Gorge, Ordos city, Inner Mongolia (60).  This is a precipitous gorge south of Baotou.

 Deserts and Xeric Shrublands

  1. Alashan Plateau (PA 1302).  A short rainy season in the summer supports shrub vegetation.  The area is known for wild Bactrian camels.  Found in the East Gobi Aimag in the map area.  The following site is of note:

Khamaryn Khiid, East Gobi Aimag, Mongolia (61).  This is the site of a Tibetan Buddhist monastery in the desert.

  1. Eastern Gobi Desert (PA1314).  The desert has a vegetation of drought-adapted shrubs of Caragana.  Found in the East Gobi Aimag and Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region in the map area.  The following two sites are of note:

Damoqi area, Baotou city, Inner Mongolia (42). The desert grasslands north of Baotou and adjoining the Mongolian border are an IBA for the great bustard and lesser kestrel.

Senjit Khad, East Gobi Aimag, Mongolia (67).  This is a natural arch and other rock formations.

Freshwater Ecoregions of the World

Northern Asia Region, Temperate Upland Rivers

618, Argun.  Includes the Kherlen River drainage of the map area,  East, Khentii, Sukhbaatar aimags and Hulun-Buir area of Inner Mongolia.

619, Shilka (Amur).  Includes the Onon River watershed of East and Khentii aimags, and Zabaykalsky Krai.

Northern Asia Region, Xeric Freshwaters and Closed Basins

621, Inner Mongolia Endorheic Basins.  Includes portions of Xilingol League, East Gobi, East Aimag, and Sukhbaatar.

Northern Asia Region, Temperate Floodplain Rivers and Wetlands

620, Songhua Jiang.  Includes the Hulun Buir and Hinggan League area of Inner Mongolia on the map.

635. Huang He Great Bend.  Includes Inner Mongolia and Shanxi provinces on map.

636.  Lower Huang He.  Includes Beijing and Tianjin municipalities and Hebei provinces on map.

 

Marine Ecoregions of the World

Temperate Northern Pacific Realm, Cold Temperate Northwest Pacific Province

50. Yellow Sea.  This ecoregion includes Bo Gulf on map.  Chrysanthemum (Juhua) Island is also shown on the map.