Khangai Nuruu National Park

Khangai Nuruu National Park
Mongolian: Хангайн нуруу
Orkhon River near Kharkhorin
Map showing the location of Khangai Nuruu National Park
Map showing the location of Khangai Nuruu National Park
Location of Park
LocationMongolia
Coordinates47°12′N 101°24′E / 47.2°N 101.4°E / 47.2; 101.4
Area888,500 hectares (2,195,531 acres; 8,885 km2; 3,431 sq mi)
Established1996
Governing bodyMinistry of Environment and Green Development of Mongolia

Khangai Nuruu National Park (Mongolian: Хангайн нуруу) stretches in a west-to-east band across the middle of the Khangai Mountains, with the eastern half following the upper Orkhon River valley. There are a variety of habitat types in the park: steppe, riparian forests, larch taiga, and alpine meadows.[1][2]

Topography

The park is over 200 km from the western foothills of the Khangai to the Kharkhorin on the eastern slope, following the Orkhon River. The Tuin River flows south from the western sector of the park, and the Khuisiin Naiman Nuur ("Eight Lakes") Nature Reserve is carved out of the south-central area. Elevations range from 1,700–2,700 metres (5,600–8,900 ft). The mountaintops are rounded, with bare rock at upper elevations.

Climate and ecoregion

The climate of the area is Cold semi-arid climate (Köppen climate classification (BSk)). This climate is characteristic of steppe climates intermediary between desert humid climates, and typically have precipitation is above evapotranspiration. At least one month averages below 0 °C (32 °F).[3][4]

The western half of the park is in the Khangai Mountains alpine meadow ecoregion. The eastern half, along the Orkhon River, is in the Selenge-Orkhon forest steppe ecoregion.[5]

Flora and fauna

The relatively flat steppe valley floor is steppe, with riparian forest along the rivers and streams. The higher slopes are generally forested with larch, pine and mixed forests. There are alpine meadows at the highest elevations. Endangered species in the park include the Pallas's fish eagle (Haliaeetus leucoryphus) and the Saker's Falcon (Falco cherrug). It has been recognised as an Important Bird Area by BirdLife International.[1]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "Khangain Nuruu National Park". Birdlife International. Retrieved April 18, 2020.
  2. ^ "Assessment Report - Strategic Planning for Peatlands in Mongolia" (PDF). Asia Development Bank. Retrieved April 18, 2020.[permanent dead link‍]
  3. ^ Kottek, M.; Grieser, J.; Beck, C.; Rudolf, B.; Rubel, F. (2006). "World Map of Koppen-Geiger Climate Classification Updated" (PDF). Gebrüder Borntraeger 2006. Retrieved September 14, 2019.
  4. ^ "Dataset - Koppen climate classifications". World Bank. Retrieved September 14, 2019.
  5. ^ "Map of Ecoregions 2017". Resolve, using WWF data. Retrieved September 14, 2019.
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