| Retzer, V; Nadrowski, K; Miehe, G: Variation of precipitation and its effect on phytomass production and consumption by livestock and large wild herbivores along an altitudinal gradient during a drought, South-Gobi, Mongolia, Journal of Arid Environments, 66(1), 135-150 (2006) doi:10.1016/j.jaridenv.2005.10.009 | |
| Abstract: The mountain ranges of southern Mongolia provide traditional pasture for livestock but also habitat for wildlife species, some of which are internationally rare and endangered (e.g. argali). Data from a 1-year field study show that the mountains receive higher precipitation than the surrounding semi-deserts and that this results in a gradient of phytomass production and therefore also in a gradient of forage availability. Animal observations indicate that livestock generally outnumber large wild herbivores by a factor of 60 on the pediments and by a factor of 6 in the mountains. Moreover, during the drought in the summer of 2001 livestock intruded into argali and ibex habitat. This resulted in additional pressure on those animals through increased forage competition with livestock and increased frequency in anthropogenic disturbance. Thus, while the use of the mountain steppes as reserves during drought is an opportunistic strategy employed by nomadic herders in a highly variable semi-arid ecosystem, it may interfere with nature conservation efforts for argali. Protection is especially needed during times of stress, while during years of abundant forage the potential for conflict is much lower. Furthermore, the problem may increase under changing climatic conditions. |
