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Status and Trends of Biodiversity

Overview

Mongolia occupies an ecological transition zone in Central Asia where the Siberian taiga forest, Central Asian steppe, the Altai Mountains and the Gobi desert meet. Of special note is the Gobi desert ecosystem, which is of global significance because it is the least changed part of the Gobi area, and supports processes and species, or subspecies that are already extinct or nearly so in neighboring China. It is estimated that there are over 3,000 species of flowering plants in Mongolia (9.4% endemism). In addition, there is an estimated 134 species of mammal and 426 species of birds. Mongolia’s bird life is of special interest as the country supports a large number of migratory birds. Of the breeding birds, the falcons, the Chinese parrotbill and the relict gull are of particular interest or rarity. Of particular significance when assessing biodiversity are species that are wild relatives of domestic species. Mongolia is home to Przewalskii’s horse and also to the ibex, a relative of the domestic goat. Southern Mongolia is considered to be a part of a region of great crop-plant diversity that extends into China. According to the Mongolian Red Book, there are 67 species of threatened vertebrates. Some of the threats to biodiversity include: desertification; climate change; overexploitation; poor forestry and logging practices; pollution; over grazing; poaching; unsustainable harvests; loss of habitat; mining and cultivation.

Number and Extent of Protected Areas

Since 1990, environmental protection has been given high priority by the Government and a total of 26 protected areas, covering 12.6 million ha, 8% of the country, have been established to date.

National Biodiversity Strategy Action Plan

Major features of National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan

The overall objective of the Biodiversity Conservation Action Plan is to set in place measures to protect biodiversity and to restore damaged areas. Specific objectives were developed which include: to establish complete protected area system representative of all ecosystems; to establish effective population control measures to limit human impact on the nation’s biodiversity; to implement an effective environmental impact assessment program; to establish a research program that improves knowledge of biodiversity and relevant threats; to establish a nationwide information and monitoring system for biodiversity conservation; to establish national education and training programs for biodiversity conservation; to control pollution; to control hunting and fishing; to prevent pasture deterioration through overgrazing; to establish effective land-use planning control and transportation policy; to develop strong regulations to protect biodiversity from mining; to support tourism while developing sensible regulations to protect biodiversity; to ensure sustainable agricultural and forestry practices; to identify and restore damaged lands; and to improve ex situ management for species conservation and conservation of genetic resources. Along with these specific objectives several direct actions to be taken were delineated.
 

• National Biodiversity Strategy Action Plan Part 1 (English)
• National Biodiversity Strategy Action Plan Part 2 (English)
• National Biodiversity Strategy Action Plan Part 3 (English)
• National Biodiversity Strategy Action Plan Part 4 (English)
• National Biodiversity Strategy Action Plan Part 5 (English)
• National Biodiversity Strategy Action Plan Part 6 (English)

Implementation of the Convention

Initiatives in Protected Areas

Protected areas are divided into 4 categories according to the nature of the sites and the protection regime under which they are managed. Strictly protected areas are ecologically important areas with “particular importance for science and civilization” and which protect “natural features.” National Conservation Parks are natural areas with historical, ecological and cultural value that are intended for development of tourism. Nature reserves are areas set aside to protect or restore natural features of natural resources. Natural and historical monuments are intended to protect Mongolia’s historical and cultural heritage. Mongolia intends to conserve permanently at least 30% of its land and water areas in the protected area system as an important strategy to conserve biodiversity.