IDENTIFYING CONNECTIVITY AREAS OF MONGOLIAN GAZELLE (PROCAPRA GUTTUROSA) IN EASTERN MONGOLIA

The Mongolian gazelle (Procapra gutturosa) is probably the most abundant ungulate species in Central Asia, inhabits the semi-desert and steppe ecosystems. Substantial population of the species found mostly across Daurian Steppe ecosystem in Mongolia and lesser extent to adjacent areas in Russia and China. They undertake long-distance nomadic movements in large herds across the landscape (Olson et al. 2010; Joly et al. 2019; Nandintsetseg et al. 2019), tracking dynamic resources in response to precipitation (Ito et al. 2013; Mueller et al. 2008).

Given the large population size, the ecosystem services they provide are immense, by falling prey to a wide range of predators and providing nutrient cycling and seed dispersal of plants (Olson et al. 2005, Olson, 2010). They also have cultural and economic values as the species is hunted for subsistence primarily by rural populations for centuries (Lhagvasuren & Milner-Gulland 1997; Olson, 2010). Major changes in herding and in grazing practices in Mongolia have led to widespread habitat degradation and loss (IUCN, 2016). Hunting and expansion of developments such as agriculture, extractive industries, and linear infrastructures across the range countries is also known threat to the gazelle population (Lhagvasuren & Milner-Gulland, 1997).

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IDENTIFYING CONNECTIVITY AREAS OF MONGOLIAN GAZELLE (PROCAPRA GUTTUROSA) IN EASTERN MONGOLIA

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