Mongolian Biodiversity and Ecological Studies
IMBES Project

The Mongolian Biodiversity and Ecology Project—2002-2007

 The primary goal of the Mongolian Project is to study the impacts of nomadic pasture use and climate change on watersheds of the boreal forest and steppe of northern Mongolia and to recommend grazing practices that will lead to sustainable use of East and Central Asian landscapes. A second goal is to assist in the training of young Mongolian researchers in biodiversity and ecological research and to develop collaborative opportunities for scientific research on the environment.  The project began as a biodiversity study of Lake Hövsgöl, the 16^th largest lake in the World, a sister lake to Baikal remotely located just south of the Siberian border.  Large areas of Mongolia remain almost pristine while the biodiversity and ecology are poorly known.  Mongolia’s stable democracy and central geographic location, spanning an arid region with transition zones from forest to steppe and desert are ideal for studies of climate change impacts in this vast region of the World.  Lake Hövsgöl is at the southern edge of the boreal forest in an ecological transition zone. Global climate change has caused warming of the region in the last 40 years, causing landscape changes.  The Lake’s watershed is underlain by permafrost that is affected by human activities and by climate warming; melting of permafrost results in reduced soil moisture for plant growth. 

 The project is funded by a five year grant of $830,000 from the Global Environment Facility to the Mongolian Academy of Sciences (MAS), and is implemented by the World Bank.  Clyde Goulden of the Academy of Natural Sciences (ANS) is the International Consultant for the project.  Co-financing has been provided by the Trust for Mutual Understanding (TMU), the National Science Foundation, by numerous gifts of supplies and equipment, and volunteer time of many scientists from international universities and institutions in Japan, Norway, Russia, Taiwan, Switzerland and the United States (ANSP, Alaska, Clemson, Kansas, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Vermont, NASA and the U. S. Department of Agriculture).  This co-financing has brought the total GEF Project funds to well over $1.3 million. 

 The Academy of Natural Science’s Mongolian Program was initiated with funds from NSF. Funds from TMU and the Winslow Foundation helped to organize the Mongolian Long Term Ecological Research network.  Travel funds from the Taiwan National Science Council and NSF allowed Mongolian and U.S. scientists to join and participate in the East Asian LTER network.  Funds from NSF provided travel support for more than thirty Mongolian scientists and students to visit Japan, Korea, Taiwan, and the U. S. Support from USAID to the Department of Interior for the Hövsgöl National Park Improvement Project allowed ANS to direct water-quality monitoring and preparation of a World Heritage nomination for the Park and its surrounding Cultural Landscape, including protection of Shamanism and an important archaeological site.  Future funding goals are for travel support for scientists that allows opportunities for further training and encouragement of cooperative research projects.  Funds for new scientific equipment and a new boat for rapid travel on the Lake are also very much needed.