EASTERN STEPPE, MONGOLIA

Project title/name: Ecology of Migration in Mongolian Gazelle

Country : Mongolia

Project location within the country: Eastern Steppe (Dornod and Sukhbataar Aimags)

180,000 US$

Short project description: Study of the migratory patterns of Mongolian gazelle in relation to ecological gradients in rainfall, snow depth, fire, grass production and major minerals across the ecosystem.

Description of the research programme: Mongolian gazelle are found over a vast range of the steppe and their movement patterns take place on an equally large scale. This research programme is investigating the ecology of migratory movements in gazelle, and their population dynamics, so as to obtain the information necessary for the Protected Areas Authority to prepare a management plan and take the necessary actions for the conservation of the species and its migratory habits during a forthcoming critical period of development in the region.

Donor: Wildlife Conservation Society, UNOPS, University of Massachusetts, University of Edinburgh, MGM

Department: Asian Programme

Client: MGM

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Title of consulting services provided: Supervision of Graduate Student undertaking a three-year study of migration in Mongolian gazelle

Description of services provided: The Company has provided a research supervisor to direct postgraduate studies into gazelle migration in Mongolia. His main duties have included field supervision in Mongolia (Summer 1999), directing the preparation of research methodology and a project design at Edinburgh University (Autumn term 1999), further project preparation at a meeting of scientists and conservationists at the Wildlife Conservation Society in New York (February 2000), and training in the use of point-quadrats (April 2000). Future supervision will take place in the Eastern Steppes of Mongolia and at Edinburgh University.

Staff provided: Dr M.G. Murray (Ecologist).

July 1999

June 2002

24,000 US$