Project Title: The inventory of peatlands in Mongolia for purposes of their conservation and wise use

Grant Agreement Nr. WGP 2-11/GPI 53

Agreement holder: Prof. Chultem DUGARJAV
Director Institute of Botany, Mongolian Academy of Sciences
telephone: (976-1) 451-837
email: ibot@mongol.net
210351 Peace avenue, 51. Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

Country/region: Mongolia

Activity period: from 01-10-'02 to 31-12-'03

Documentation and products available:

  • Final report with Finance Report
  • Technical outputs:
    1. Map of peatland ecosystems of Mongolia, scale 1:1,000,000 (printed and CD)
    2. GIS of peatland ecosystems of Mongolia ARCVIEW based
    3. Map of peatlands of Huder sum, scale 1:200,000 (printed and CD)
    4. GIS peatlands of Huder sum ARCVIEW based
    5. Report: "Natural diversity and anthropogenic impact on peatlands of Huder sum" (Mongolian, English, Russian)
    6. Report: "Peatland ecosystems of Mongolia" (Mongolian, English, Russian)
    7. Recommendations for actions on peatland conservation for Huder sum administration (Mongolian)
    8. Recommendations for actions on peatland conservation for Ministry of Natural Resources of Mongolia (Mongolian)
    9. Leaflet: "Peatlands of Mongolia" (Mongolian and English)
    10. Database "Peatland vegetation of Mongolia"
    11. Database and herbarium (340 units) "Peatland flora of Mongolia (vascular plants)"
    12. Database and herbarium (200 units) "Peatland flora of Mongolia (mosses)"
    13. Database and peat depository (600 samples) "Stratigraphy of Mongolian peatlands"
    14. Photo depository "Views of Mongolian Peatlands" (CD)
Map: "Peatland ecosystems of Mongolia", original scale: 1: 1,000,000


Map of peatlands distribution in Huder sum, original scale 1:200,000


Background:

Partners:

Government:
  • Ministry of Nature and Environment
  • Selenga Aimag Administration

Science agencies
  • Institute of Botany, Mongolian Academy of Sciences
  • Joint Russian-Mongolian Complex Biological Expedition, Institute of Ecology and Evolution

Private sector
  • RASMonMap Co, Ltd

The unique peatlands and mires of Mongolia constitute an important element of the peatland diversity of the world. According to the landscape mapping investigations, carried out during 1990-1995 by the Complex Russian-Mongolian biological expedition, the mire ecosystems are mainly concentrated in the mountain areas and cover not less than 450 000 ha (6 % of country). The inventory of peatlands is therefore of importance not only for Mongolia itself, in relation to its pastures, water economy, energy resources and other aspects, but also on the international level. Mongolian mires fulfil a crucial role as a main barrier against desertification. The peatlands are sources of important rivers., e.g. the Yenesey, Amur, and Selenga (which is the main water source of Lake Baikal).
Present accelerating changes in the Mongolian economy lead to over-exploitation of and a search for new natural resources. Peatlands have already caught the attention of land users as a potential source of fuel.
Extensive overgrazing of pastures and logging of forests has resulted in desiccation of valley peatlands (which support the highest biological diversity) and has turned these areas from carbon stores into carbon sources. The fragile ecosystems of the watershed peatlands depend on permafrost and could be soon lost due to the global warming.
Being a contracting party to the Ramsar convention, Mongolia has no inventory on wetlands and specifically on peatlands. There is no background information for the ecosystem management planning for the purposes of peatlands resources wise use or conservation planning, while their resources are subject of economic interest on the local and national level.

Brief project description:

The main approach included:

  • Peatland inventory based on existing data and through field studies
  • Peatland classification and zonation compatible with the international standards
  • Development of recommendations for wise use on basis of biodiversity and socio-economic survey
  • Sustain project results through focal agencies/organisations, dissemination and promotion to other regions.

Target groups were national and local administration, land users, scientific groups involved in land use planning and monitoring projects.

Results:

Expected Outputs and Results achieved
  1. To provide Mongolian government as Ramsar contracting party with the background knowledge on the peatlands of Mongolia, including prognosis of distribution, diversity, status, socio-economical and ecological value, existent and potential threats
  • To carry out an analyses of the main physico-geographic regions
  • To develop a map of mire ecosystems of Mongolia
  • To develop a zonation and prepare GIS
  • Template of threats at the national level
  • Preliminary report to the Government of Mongolia
  1. To study distribution, diversity, basic functions and values of peatlands of the pilot region as a background for further inventory on the national level
  • Obtaining and preparation of cartographic materials
  • Preparation of GIS layers, analyses, defining of the key peatlands sites
  • Field work at key peatlands sites
  • Results analysed, prepared for publication and key sites descriptions submitted
  • Criteria for peatlands evaluation at the regional level
  • Template of threats, data bases, GIS
  • Recommendations presented to local authorities
  1. To make available information on peatlands to a wide range of stakeholders and the general public on the national and local level and enable the dissemination of the project approach to the other regions of the country.
  • Peatland working group meetings (virtual and living)
  • Analytical final report for Mongolian government
  • Leaflet "Peatlands of Mongolia"
  • Workshop "Peatlands ecosystems of Mongolia and sustainable development"
  • Publications, popularisation of knowledge obtained in the mass-media
  • Preparation of the technical report to GPI and project proposals.
  1. Background knowledge on peatlands:
  • A sketch "Peatlands of Mongolia" describing diversity of ecosystems has been produced
  • GIS (Arcview) and Map "Peatlands of Mongolia" (scale 1:1,000,000)
  • A list of main threats to peatlands (within the final report)
  • A short report in the Mongolian language on peatlands diversity, distribution and threats
  • Data bases on vegetation, flora, peat properties and peatland diversity of the Orchon, Hingan and Darhat regions
  1. Peatlands of the pilot region - Huder sum
  • An inventory of the peatlands is presented in the report "Natural diversity and anthropogenic impact on peatlands of Huder sum"
  • A GIS (Arcview) and Map "Peatlands of Huder sum" (scale 1:200,000)
  • A list of threats to Huder sum was produced
  • Recommendations on peatlands conservation and use were made to the local authorities.
  • A data base on vegetation, flora, peat properties and diversity of Huder sum was prepared
  • Authorities showed concern about impact of gold mining on peatlands
  1. Dissemination and sustainability
  • A leaflet on the "Peatlands of Mongolia" was produced and disseminated
  • A workshop was held in the Ministry (involving the Ramsar focal point and the GEF UNFCCC Peatlands, Biodiversity and Climate Change project coordinator)
  • A workshop was held in the Academy of Sciences of Mongolia
  • A workshop was held in Selenga Aimak. The Selenga Aimag administration confirmed that values of peatlands will be considered in land use planning
  • It was decided not to establish a permanent working group as the local capacity was still inadequate for people to be permanently involved. There was, however, regular contact with the Ramsar focal point on the development of a Ramsar resolution on mountain peatlands, and on wetlands and desertification.
Evaluation

The project was successful in developing a first and thorough overview of the peatlands of Mongolia, including maps and GIS, identifying it as a major resource on which many people and ecosystems depend. Prior to the project the science base and awareness in Mongolia on this was very limited. The project report provides an insight in the implication of a changing economy on the management and conservation potential of the Mongolian peatlands. The impacts of overgrazing, desiccation and deforestation of peatlands and their water catchments affects the water balance of major rivers in Mongolia and enhances the threat of desertification. The project's main deliverable has been the raised awareness in Mongolia on the values of peatlands and the need for their sustainable management. Much more work remains to be done, as local capacity in peatland inventory and monitoring is still insufficient and capacity in regard to peatland management still very basic. As a result of the project the Ministry of Environment of Mongolia has requested further international cooperation on peatland management.
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last update: 20/07/04