Abstract
The dynamics of any given plant community are closely related to the population ecology of the principal plant species, but these had hardly been studied in Central Asian plants. The outcomes of long-term studies in the dry steppes of Central Mongolia have shown that the simplification of steppe communities has taken place over recent decades. Annually since 1976, the detailed research of pascual ecosystems in the main natural zones Mongolia are carried out here within the framework of Russian-Mongolian Biological Expedition’s program. Changes of dominant and co-dominant species of pasture plant communities occur corresponding to a dried steppe type. The estimation of present state of natural grasslands was given. The area of different degree of anthropogenic disturbance was discovered. Steppes and dry steppes of Mongolia are characterized by highly dynamic and extreme natural conditions. The results of our survey has showed degradation of vegetable communities for 35-40 years’ period in connection with overgrazing and strengthening of climate aridity in the last decades. The succession of pastoral ecosystems leads to replacement of ecological niches of fodder grasses with uneatable and poisonous species. It results in unsuitability of such pastures for grazing.
Highlights
Mongolia's steppe ecosystems, used mainly as natural pastures, cover an area of 6,722,912 km2, or almost 55% of the country's territory
The phytocenotic study of the composition of species and biomorphs, vertical and horizontal structures, as well as the nature and characteristics of the production process of plant communities of dry steppes in Central Mongolia is of particular relevance
Experiments The dynamics of the main phytocenotic indicators of communities of dry steppes for a 40-year period of research (1972-2011) in the territory of the Bayan-Undzhul somon was analyzed according to the literature and our own data
Summary
Mongolia's steppe ecosystems, used mainly as natural pastures, cover an area of 6,722,912 km, or almost 55% of the country's territory. The increased grazing pressure on ecosystems has changed the natural balance due to the increased vulnerability of semi-arid and arid ecosystems, which contributes to their degradation and desertification [1,2,3,4,5]. In this regard, the phytocenotic study of the composition of species and biomorphs, vertical and horizontal structures, as well as the nature and characteristics of the production process of plant communities of dry steppes in Central Mongolia is of particular relevance. The purpose of the research is identify the long-term dynamics of the main phytocenotic indicators (species and biomorphological composition, number of individuals, projective cover and aboveground phytomass) of the dry steppe communities of the Central Mongolian dry steppes and establish the impact of climatic conditions and pasture loads on their livelihoods.
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