Abstract
This paper provides information on long-term suppression of natural forest regeneration due to the livestock grazing in the vicinity of one of the world largest open-pit ore mine close the city of Erdenet in Mongolia. The area is characterized by high concentration of herder’s households where the 52% were found only up to 1 km distance from the forest edge. Forest grazing causes extensive damage to seedlings and significant reduction of their growth. Within the 30–99 cm height category, up to 61% Larix sibirica, 90% Betula platyphylla and 68% Populus tremula individuals are grazingdamaged. L. sibirica and P. tremula seedlings with heights over 99 cm were absent, and no individuals of any species were found within 136–200 cm height category. In addition to the seedlings, only 7 or more meters high L. sibirica individuals are found in the forest structure, which means the absence of successfully growing forest regeneration for at least 40 years. In 2017, the defoliation of L. sibirica, reaching locally up to 100%, occurred in the stands east of the mine. Total defoliation represents a high risk of mortality of affected individuals. The stands cannot be successfully regenerated under the conditions of current intensive grazing. Mine metal stocks are calculated to provide for at least another 25 years of mining. Over that time, neither significant population decline nor decreasing grazing pressure on forests can be expected. If effective protection measures are not implemented, there is a risk of transforming threatened forest into steppe.
Highlights
Mongolian forests are located predominantly in the northern part of the country, on the southern border of the vast Siberian taiga and the Mongolian steppes with the total area over 19 million ha. (Ykhanbai et al 2010; Batkhuu et al 2011)
Based on occurrence of gypsy moth, detected in 2016, we suggest that defoliation of L
We assume that the high number of yurt households in Erdenet surroundings results from socioeconomic reasons, because the city presents a constant market for herder's products
Summary
Mongolian forests are located predominantly in the northern part of the country (between 47–52°N and 89– 116°E.), on the southern border of the vast Siberian taiga and the Mongolian steppes with the total area over 19 million ha. (Ykhanbai et al 2010; Batkhuu et al 2011). A significant species proportion is represented by the Betula genus, occupying approximately 9% of the Mongolian forest territory (Batkhuu et al 2011; MET 2019). A very important part of Mongolian forest ecosystems are the extremely sensitive mountain forest-steppe ecosystems. They play an irreplaceable role for preventing soil erosion and desertification (James 2011; Priess 2015), they have a positive effect on the soil water regime, play an invaluable role for the regional hydrology (Menzel et al 2011; Karthe et al 2015; Batbayar et al 2018), and serve as important biodiversity centres (Sankey et al 2006)
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