Ecology of Argali in Ikh Nartiin Chuluu, Dornogobi Aymag

Argali sheep (Ovis ammon) are listed as threatened in both Mongolia and internationally. Yet, little is known about the biology and ecology of this species. Available data suggests that Argali in Mongolia are declining due to direct poaching and competition with domestic livestock. We initiated several research projects to better understand and conserve the species. In this report we discuss Argali ecology using radio telemetry. We captured and radio-collared 36 Argali using drive-nets, lamb captures, and dating from 2000–2004. Fifteen collared animals have died: 2 due to capture techniques, 8 from predation, 1 from starvation and exposure, 1 from disease, 1 due to maternal neglect, and 2 of unknown causes. In addition, 1 collar ceased working and 4 others dropped off prematurely. We have collected more than 1,040 locations through mid-May 2004. The majority of the Argali were captured in the northern portion of Ikh Nart. Animals have primarily restricted their movements to that area and have not exhibited seasonal movement patterns. Mean home range size for 17 animals with sufficient data (\u3e 45 days with locations) was 57±3.7 km2 (range = 30– 80 km2) using the 100% minimum convex polygon method, with areas of predicted occurrence of 76±5.3km2 for 95% kernel, 32±3.7 km2 for 75% kernel, 11±1.6 km2 for 50% kernel, and 3.8±0.5 km2 for 25% home ranges. Predation was the main cause (72.7%) of mortality in the collared animals for which cause of death could be determined (non-study related)

Winter Pasture Conditions and Forage Use by Argali (\u3ci\u3eOvis ammon\u3c/i\u3e) in Gobi Gurvan Saykhan National Park

Conservation of Argali sheep (Ovis ammon) presents a significant challenge to biologists and conservation managers in Mongolia. Argali are endangered and available data suggest that their numbers are declining. However, the mechanisms causing this decline are poorly understood. Recent research suggests that declines in Argali sheep numbers may be due in part to competition with domestic livestock for forage. Following privatization of herd ownership in 1991, livestock numbers increased dramatically across Mongolia. With this increase, many herders expanded grazing onto more marginal rangeland resulting in increased competition with wild ungulates and displacement of Argali from their former population strongholds. Although protected areas encompass a considerable number of these strongholds, livestock grazing is permitted within all protected areas and overgrazing is an increasing concern. In this study, we examined winter pasture conditions and forage use of Argali in the Gobi Gurvan Saykhan National Park. Visual documentation of plant species selected by Argali was conducted in the field using a spotting scope. Following each observation, we visited the forage site in order to identify all above ground plant species, determine canopy cover, and assess winter conditions using Shennikov’s method (1964). We examined a total of 22 Argali forage sites in November 1999. Within the sampled areas, total vegetation canopy cover averaged 50–60 %. Agropyron cristatum, Stipa spp., Artemisia frigida, and Arenaria capillaris were the most dominant plant species. Argali were observed to select the following plant species as winter forage: Stipa spp., Festuca lenensis, Agropyron cristatum, Koeleria macrantha, Poa attenuata, Carex duriuscula, Carex korshinskyi, Allium eduardii, Kochia prostrata, Amygdalus pedunculata, Caragana pygmaea, Stellaria dichotoma, Bupleurum bicaule, Caryopteris mongholica, Ajania fruticulosa, Artemisia santolinifolia, and Artemisia frigida. The results obtained by this study will serve as a baseline for the development of more comprehensive studies on Argali habitat use and availability. Further studies will support the development of management objectives for the conservation of the species and its habitat

Desert Pastoralists’ Negative and Positive Effects on Rare Wildlife in the Gobi

In arid regions of the developing world, pastoralists and livestock commonly inhabit protected areas, resulting in human–wildlife conflict. Conflict is inextricably linked to the ecological processes shaping relationships between pastoralists and native herbivores and carnivores. To elucidate relationships underpinning human–wildlife conflict, we synthesized 15 years of ecological and ethnographic data from Ikh Nart Nature Reserve in Mongolia\u27s Gobi steppe. The density of argali (Ovis ammon), the world\u27s largest wild sheep, at Ikh Nart was among the highest in Mongolia, yet livestock were \u3e90% of ungulate biomass and dogs \u3e90% of large‐carnivore biomass. For argali, pastoral activities decreased food availability, increased mortality from dog predation, and potentially increased disease risk. Isotope analyses indicated that livestock accounted for \u3e50% of the diet of the majority of gray wolves (Canis lupus) and up to 90% of diet in 25% of sampled wolves (n = 8). Livestock composed at least 96% of ungulate prey in the single wolf pack for which we collected species‐specific prey data. Interviews with pastoralists indicated that wolves annually killed 1–4% of Ikh Nart\u27s livestock, and pastoralists killed wolves in retribution. Pastoralists reduced wolf survival by killing them, but their livestock were an abundant food source for wolves. Consequently, wolf density appeared to be largely decoupled from argali density, and pastoralists had indirect effects on argali that could be negative if pastoralists increased wolf density (apparent competition) or positive if pastoralists decreased wolf predation (apparent facilitation). Ikh Nart\u27s argali population was stable despite these threats, but livestock are increasingly dominant numerically and functionally relative to argali. To support both native wildlife and pastoral livelihoods, we suggest training dogs to not kill argali, community insurance against livestock losses to wolves, reintroducing key native prey species to hotspots of human–wolf conflict, and developing incentives for pastoralists to reduce livestock density