Current view: Text account
Site description (2012 baseline):
Site location and context
This site is similar to Borzon Gobi (MN047). The site is characterized by a 100 km-long
desert valley, with rolling hills, sand dunes and dry river beds with elm and saxaul trees. Some rocky hills and oases are found in the area. Poaching of Asiatic Wild Ass Equus hemionus and other wildlife species is on the increase. The grazing areas of livestock and Asiatic Wild Ass overlap, resulting in competition for food and water. The site is bisected by an existing road linking mines in Omnogobi aimag with the Chinese border. Future development of these mines could lead to the upgrading of this transport corridor, with potentially severe impacts on biodiversity, such as increased hunting and creation of physical barriers to animal movements.
Globally Threatened species found at the site include Saker Falcon Falco cherrug (EN) and Houbara Bustard Chlamydotis undulata (VU). In addition to these species, Cinereous Vulture Aegypius monachus (NT), Short-toed Eagle Circaetus gallicus, Booted Eagle Hieraaetus pennatus and Amur Falcon Falco amurensis breed at the site. The site also supports species typical of the Eurasian steppe and desert biome, such as Mongolian Ground Jay Podoces hendersoni, Saxaul Sparrow Passer ammodendri and Pallas’s Sandgrouse Syrrhaptes paradoxus.
Non-bird biodiversity: Several globally and nationally threatened species occur at the site, including Asiatic Wild Ass (EN), Goitered Gazelle Gazella subgutturosa (VU), Mongolian Gazelle Procapra gutturosa, Argali Ovis ammon (NT), Siberian Ibex Capra sibirica and Long-eared Jerboa Euchoreutes naso.
Partially protected by Small Gobi Strictly Protected Area (Parts A and B)
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Galba Gobi (Mongolia). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/galba-gobi-iba-mongolia on 23/11/2024.
