Estimating Siberian marmot (Marmota sibirica) densities in the Eastern Steppe of Mongolia

Abstract

Siberian marmots (Marmota sibirica) have declined rapidly in Mongolia over the past 15 years; so much so, a countrywide hunting ban was instituted in 2005. In order to collect baseline data, we initially conducted transects in the Eastern Steppe in order to estimate marmot densities and distribution in 2005. We subsequently collected similar data over the next 2 years (2006 and 2007) and now present our findings and compare them across years and among aimags (administrative divisions in the Eastern Steppe). Overall, marmots and marmot burrow clusters increased in density in 2006 and 2007 compared to 2005. In addition, the percent active burrow clusters increased from year 2005 to 2006 and then stayed approximately the same from year 2006 to 2007. These findings bode well for the efficacy of the hunting ban toward efforts to recover marmot populations in the Eastern Steppe.