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Site description (2007 baseline):
Site location and context
The site is composed of the Khar Yamaat, Tumentsogt, Turuu Ondor mountains, plus the valley of the Kherlen River. The main habitats present are mountain steppe, rock outcrops and cliffs, with wet meadows and other riparian habitats along the Kherlen River valley. The formation of the site and its range of biological diversity are unique in the eastern
Mongolia. The mountains at the site represent the easternmost extent of the Khentii mountain range and are the highest peaks in the area.
Globally Threatened and Near Threatened species that have been recorded at the site include Swan Goose Anser cygnoides (EN, breeding), Falcated Duck Anas falcata (NT), Saker Falcon Falco cherrug (EN, breeding), Lesser Kestrel F. naumanni (VU, breeding), White-naped Crane Grus vipio (VU, breeding), Hooded Crane G. monacha (VU), Great Bustard Otis tarda (VU), Asiatic Dowitcher Limnodromus semipalmatus (NT) and Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa (NT). Black Stork Ciconia nigra and Whooper Swan Cygnus cygnus also occur. The riparian habitat is used by thousands of waterbirds during the breeding and migration seasons.
Non-bird biodiversity: The site is a meeting point for wildlife representatives from the Manchurian, Daguur, and Central Mongolian ecoregions. Small herds of Siberian Roe Deer Capreolus pygargus and Red Deer Cervus elaphus are found at the site, and large herds of Mongolian Gazelle Procapra
gutturosa frequent the area in winter. The site was once considered to be a suitable site for reintroducing Przewalski's Wild Horse Equus przewalskii. The Mongolian Academy of Sciences has been studying and monitoring the ecology of the area for more than two decades.
Fully protected by Khar Yamaat Nature Reserve
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Khar Yamaat Nature Reserve (Mongolia). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/khar-yamaat-nature-reserve-iba-mongolia on 23/12/2024.
