MINISTRY FOR NATURE AND THE UNITED NATIONS ENVIRONMENT OF MONGOLIA DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME REGIONAL BUREAU FOR ASIA AND PACIFIC GLOBAL ENVIRONMENT FACILITY (FIRST NATIONAL REPORT) 1998 i Members of the First National Report on Biodiversity working group Editors: Z.Batjargal Author: Doctor of Science Assistant authors: Ya.Adya, Ph.D., Institute of Biology Ts.Adyasuren, Ph.D., Ministry for Nature and the Environment B.Avirmed, Ph.D., National Committee of Endangered Species Z.Batjargal, Ph. D., Hydro- Meteorology and Environmental Monitoring Agency Doctor of Science, Institute of Biology Central Laboratory of Environmental Monitoring Kh.Buyan-Orshikh, Doctor of Science, Institute of Biology Doctor of Science, Institute of Biology Doctor of Science, Professor, State Pedagogical University of Mongolia Ph.D., Co. Ltd. Doctor of Science, Institute of Biology Doctor of Science, Professor, Institute of Biology Ph.D., Institute of Biology Ph.D., Forest Survey Center M.Erdenebat, Institute of Geo-Ecology J.Gal, Ph.D., Institute of Biology Doctor of Science, Professor, Institute of Biology Protected Area Bureau, EPA Professor, State Pedagogical University of Mongolia L.Natsagdorj, Ph.D., Institute of Hydro-Meteorology G.Ochirbat, Doctor of Science, Institute of Biology Doctor of Science, Institute of Biology H.Terbish, Ph.D., State University of Mongolia Ph.D., Institute of Biology G.Tserenbaljid, Doctor of Science, Institute of Biology Ph.D. Institute of Biology Ph.D., Institute of Biology Institute of Biology N.Ulziikhutag, Doctor of Science, Professor, Government Secretariat Doctor of Science, State University of Mongolia Translators: O.Byambaa, A. Gerel, Ts. Temuulen, B. Undral English editors: Z.Batjargal, IS. Femandez, Support staff: S.Batgerel, Yu.Bayarjargal, L.Surmaa ADMON,, printing 400 copies Tel ii The First National Report was prepared with the financial assistance provided by the GEF Enabling Activity Project The Ministry for Nature and the Environment, and UNDP/GEF Mongolia Biodiversity Project have also assisted in the preparation of this Report. All rights reserved Copyright, Ministry for Nature and the Environment of Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar- Mongolia, 1998. 111 Contents vi Foreword . Preface Chapter I Socio-Economic Development Trends of Mongolia and their impacts on the Environment 1.1 Socio-Economic Development Trends of Mongolia 1 1.2 Mongolian Environmental Status 2 1.2.1 Geographic Location and Land Surface 2 1.2.2 Basic Natural Belts and Zones 3 1.2.3 Origins of the Formation of the Organic Sphere 4 1.2.4 Climate 7 1.2.5 Soil 10 1.2.6 Water 10 Chapter II Causes of the Loss of Biodiversity in Mongolia 2.1 Mongolian Biodiversity: Specifics regarding its Regional and Global Significance 12 2.2 Threatened Status of Biodiversity and Its Causes 13 2.2.1 Climate Change 13 2.2.1.1 Desertification 15 2.2.1.2 Forest Insects 15 2.2.1.3 Rodents 16 2.2.2 Impact of Human Activities on the Environment 17 2.2.2.1 Economic Policy 17 2.2.2.2 Population Growth 17 2.2.2.3 Industrialization 18 2.2.2.4 Transport 18 2.2.2.5 Crop Land 18 2.2.2.6 Pastures 18 2.2.2.7 Haymaking Areas 20 2.2.2.8 Forest and Steppe Fires 20 2.2.2.9 Environmental Pollution 21 Chapter III Biodiversity Resources: Protection, Use and Restoration 3.1 Protection, Use and Restoration of Fauna 23 3.1.1 Mammals 24 3.1.1.1 Composition and Distribution of Mammal Species 24 3.1.1.2 Conservation and Re-introduction ofMammals 25 3.1.1.3 Mammals as a Resource 26 iv 3.1.2 Birds 30 3.1.2.1 Composition and Distribution of Bird Species 31 3.1.2.2 Conservation of Birds 31 3.1.2.3 Bird Harvesting 32 3.1.3 Amphibians and Reptiles 32 3.1.3.1 Composition and Distribution of Amphibians and Reptiles 32 3.1.3.2 Conservation of Amphibians and Reptiles 34 3.1.3.3 Amphibians and Reptiles as a Resource 35 3.1.4 Fish 35 3.1.4.1 Composition, Distribution and Stocks of Fish Species 35 3.1.4.2 Conservation and Propagation of Fish 35 3.1.4.3 Fish as a Resource 36 3.1.5 Insects 36 3.1.5.1 Composition and Distribution of Insect Species 36 3.1.5.2 Insects as a Resource 39 3.1.6 Other Animals 40 3.2 Conservation, Restoration and Use of Mongolian Flora 41 3.2.1 Protection, Restoration and Use of Forests 41 3.2.1.1 Composition and Distribution and Resource Abundance of Forest Species 41 3.2.1.2 Conservation of Forests 46 3.2.1.3 Restoration of Forests 48 3.2.1.4 Forest Products 49 3.2.2 Composition, Distribution, Conservation and Use of Vascular and Lower Plants 51 3.2.2.1 Composition of Vascular and Lower Plant Species 51 3.2.2.2 Plant Protection and Restoration 58 3.2.2.3 Plant Use 59 3.2.3 Moss 59 3.2.3.1 Composition and Distribution of Moss Species 59 3.2.3.2 Conservation of Moss 61 3.2.4 Lichen 61 3.2.4.1 Composition and Distribution of Lichen Species 61 3.2.4.2 Conservation of Lichen 62 3.2.5 Algae 62 3.2.5.1 Composition and Distribution of Algae Species 63 3.2.5.2 Conservation of Algae Species 65 3.2.6 Fungi 66 3.2.6.1 Composition and Distribution of Fungi Species 66 3.2.6.2 Conservation of Fungi 66 3.3 Composition and Distribution of Micro-Organisms 67 3.3.1 Composition and Distribution of Micro-Organisms 67 3.3.2 Ex situ Micro-Organism Conservation and Use 69 V Chapter IV National Biodiversity Conservation Plan: Implementation, Output and Future Objectives 4.1 Institutional Strengthening, Renewal of Legislation and Economic Undertakings of the Conservation and Proper Use of Biodiversity 72 4.1.1 Institutional Strengthening of the Conservation and Proper Use of Biodiversity 72 4.1.2 Biodiversity Policy and Planning 75 4.1.3 Renewal of Legislation on Biodiversity 75 4.1.4 Economic Undertakings in Biodiversity Conservation 76 4.1.5 Sources for Biodiversity Conservation 77 4.2 Protected Areas Network in Mongolia 78 4.2.1 The Need for Protected Areas 78 4.2.2 Extension of the Protected Areas Network 79 4.2.3 Measures Aimed at Safeguarding Protected Areas 85 4.2.3.1 Establishment of a Legal Foundation for Protected Areas 85 4.2.3.2 Structure of Protected Areas 86 4.3 Measures Aimed at Limiting Negative Human Impacts on Biodiversity 88 4.3.1 Measures Aimed at Decentralizing the Population 89 4.3.2 Protection of Biodiversity from Adverse Industrial Impacts 89 4.3.3 Measures Aimed at Limiting Pasture Degradation 90 4.3.4 Restoration of Eroded and Degraded Land 90 4.3.5 Measures Aimed at Reducing Environment Pollution 91 4.4 Public Education and Awareness through Information, Distribution and Monitoring Programs on Biodiversity Conservation 92 4.4.1 Training Programs on Mongolian Biodiversity 92 4.4.2 Public Awareness of Biodiversity 93 4.4.3 Environment and Biodiversity Monitoring 94 4.5 Biodiversity Conservation Strategies 96 4.5.1 Sustainable Development Policy of Mongolia 96 4.5.2 Objectives for Biodiversity Conservation, Utilization and Restoration 98 4.5.2.1 Objectives for Biodiversity Conservation and Restoration 98 4.5.2.2 Objectives for the Proper Use of Biodiversity 99 Endangered animals and plants included in the Mongolian Red Book published in 1997 100 vi FOREWORD Mongolians have a proud history regarding nature conservation because industrial development has been preserved in balance with Mongolia’s ecological capacity, resulting in its unspoiled natural environment. The State of Mongolia, in ancient times, conducted a policy, aimed at nature conservation and the proper use of natural resources, which has been passed down to the modern generation and has become more comprehensive, today, with the introduction of new concepts. “Nature worship” was important in environmental conservation when the first tribes and aimags in Mongolian history decided on a state policy to protect certain areas. For instance, Khaan Tooril of the ancient Khereid aimag put the Bogdkhan Mountain, located in the south of Ulaanbaatar, under protection in the 12th and 13th centuries; this paved the way for other Khaans, including Chinggis Khan, to approve laws like the “Ikh Tsaaz” (Great Law) to legalize nature conservation issues. Currently, there are 38 protected areas in Mongolia which cover 11 per cent of the total area. The Great of Mongolia has passed, and started the enforcement of, over 20 laws which reflect the state policy on nature conservation. Mongolia was the thirtieth country to sign the Biodiversity Convention and has since made considerable efforts to carry out its duties. When the Mongolian government approved the Biodiversity Action Plan, certain activities were included in its annual Action Plan every year to implement the plan sequentially. The Mongolian Biodiversity project has been ongoing for three years with support from the UNDP and GEF and its activities have gained the appreciation of the public in the areas of the formation of a legal basis on nature conservation and of the national carrying capacity, expansion of the protected areas network and endangered species conservation. The Biodiversity Project continues its activities in the Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Livelihood Options in the Grasslands of Eastern Steppe Project, which has already begun. This project will be responsible for maintaining the balance of ecosystems, which are composed of unique species of fauna and flora. The Mongolian government recently re-published the Mongolian Red Book which has strongly supported the protection of biodiversity.