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Site description (2007 baseline):
Site location and context
Khangain Nuruu National Park preserves the best representative area of the Khangai mountain range and its biodiversity. The Khangai mountain range supports a variety of habitat types, ranging from steppe through taiga to alpine vegetation. Mountaintops are
rounded, with bare or rocky peaks, some with alpine meadows and lakes. The forests are mostly larch and pine but mixed forest is common. Steppe vegetation is found in the
foothills. Many large rivers originate from the Khangai mountains and, at lower elevations, these are flanked by dense riparian forests. The main land use is livestock husbandry. There are several settlements in the area. Pollution of water sources from mining and forestry are the main threats. Overgrazing is also becoming an increasing threat, resulting in land degradation in the lower foothills. Poaching for wildlife is widespread.
Globally Threatened species occurring at the site include Swan Goose Anser cygnoides (EN), Pallas’s Fish-eagle Haliaeetus leucoryphus (VU), Eastern Imperial Eagle Aquila heliaca (VU), Saker Falcon Falco cherrug (EN) and Lesser Kestrel F. naumanni (VU). Falcated Duck Anas falcata (NT) also occurs. The site also supports an assemblage of species restricted to the boreal forest (taiga) biome, including Ural Owl Strix uralensis,
Pallas’s Rosefi nch Carpodacus roseus, Arctic Warbler Phylloscopus borealis, Western Capercaillie Tetrao urogallus and Black-billed Capercaillie T. parvirostris.
Non-bird biodiversity: Rare and threatened wildlife species occurring include Siberian Ibex Capra sibirica, Argali Ovis ammon (NT), Eurasian Lynx Lynx lynx, Red Deer Cervus elaphus, Snow Leopard Uncia uncia (EN), Wild Boar Sus scrofa and Pallas's Cat Felis manul (NT). Many plants and insects found in the Red Data Book of Mongolia occur at the site.
Fully protected by Khangain Nuruu National Park
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Khangain Nuruu National Park (Mongolia). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/khangain-nuruu-national-park-iba-mongolia on 19/12/2024.
