Current view: Text account
Site description (2007 baseline):
Site location and context
Jargalant Khairkhan Mountain is an isolated extension of the Mongol Altai mountain range. Located in the middle of Khar Us Lake Depression, the diversity of habitats and wildlife at the site is rich in many ways. Habitats vary from high-mountain tundra, alpine meadows and high-mountain steppe to arid steppe. There is year-round grazing of domestic livestock, which is leading to degradation of the pastures and competition with the rare wild ungulates that occur there.
The site supports two Globally Threatened species, Saker Falcon Falco cherrug (EN) and White-throated Bushchat Saxicola insignis (VU), as well as the Near Threatened Cinereous Vulture Aegypius monachus (NT). The site also supports species typical of the Eurasian steppe and desert and Eurasian high montane biomes, such as Altai Snowcock Tetraogallus altaicus. Finally, the site supports Mongolian Accentor Prunella koslowi, whose breeding
range defi nes the Mongolian Mountains Secondary Area.
Non-bird biodiversity: Rare mammals found on the mountain include Argali Ovis ammon (NT), Siberian Ibex Capra sibirica and Snow Leopard Uncia uncia (EN). Goitered Gazelle Gazella subgutturosa (VU) occurs in the foothills, and Siberian Marmot Marmota sibirica (EN) occurs in the middle and lower part of the foothills. Rare plants, like Altai Onion Allium altaicum and Roseroot Rhodiola rosea, can also be found at the site.
Partially protected by Khar Us Lake National Park
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Jargalant Khairkhan Mountain (Mongolia). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/jargalant-khairkhan-mountain-iba-mongolia on 23/12/2024.
