Spatial patterns in relative primary productivity and gazelle migration in the Eastern Steppes of Mongolia

Leimgruber, Peter; McShea, William J.; Brookes, C. J.; Bolor-Erdene, Lhamsuren; Wemmer, Chris; Larson, Chris

doi:10.1016/s0006-3207(01)00041-6

Cited by 63 publications

(53 citation statements)

References 31 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Because gazelle presence is tightly linked to NDVI on both local and regional scales (Olson et ., 2009;Leimgruber et al, 2001), the large-scale decline in NDVI appears to be the likely driver behind the gazelles' attempted emigrations. The reason for the declining trends in biomass production observed during the time period in which we conducted our analysis was not examined for this analysis, but long-term chronic drought conditions is a likely cause.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fences Impede Long-distance Mongolian Gazelle (Procapra gutturosa) Movements in Drought-stricken Landscapes

Olson

Mueller

Leimgruber³

et al. 2009

Mong. J. Biol. Sci.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fences Impede Long-distance Mongolian Gazelle (Procapra gutturosa) Movements in Drought-stricken Landscapes

Olson

Mueller

Leimgruber³

et al. 2009

Mong. J. Biol. Sci.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

“…Studies on this topic have shown that environmental factors play a pivotal role, and the normalized-difference vegetation index (NDVI) has mainly been used as an index of the amount of live plants in studies of the Mongolian gazelle. For instance, Leimgruber et al (2001) showed that the winter and the calving grounds in the eastern steppes of Mongolia (identified based on expert knowledge of scientists and pastoralists, but not tracking data), had the highest NDVI scores during periods when gazelles used these areas. In a study comparing gazelle distribution and NDVI values in different seasons in the eastern steppes, showed that gazelles preferred areas with intermediate NDVI values in the spring and autumn.…”

Section: Movement Ecology Of Mongolian Gazellesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Habitat Fragmentation by Railways as a Barrier to Great Migrations of Ungulates in Mongolia

et al. 2017

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Mongolia's Gobi-Steppe Ecosystem is the largest grassland in the world and the habitat of long-distance movement ungulates, such as the Mongolian gazelle (Procapra gutturosa) and the Asiatic wild ass (Equus hemionus). The international railway between Russia and China bisects this habitat, and there has been concern that it may impede the movements of wild ungulates. We tracked ungulate movements on both sides of the Ulaanbaatar-Beijing Railway, and found that most of the tracked animals never crossed the railway. The construction of additional railways to permit mining projects in the area is therefore a further threat to maintaining the great migrations of ungulates across Mongolia.

show abstract

“…The Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) facilitated progress in this fi eld (Pettorelli et al, 2005). Based on historical records of calving and wintering locations (Lhagvasuren & Milner-Gulland, 1997;Lushchekina et al, 1985[in Leimgruber et al, 2001), it was reported that gazelles are likely tracking changes in primary productivity during the growing season, seeking out snowfree areas in winter with the selection of calving grounds based on the emergence of productivity 'hotspots' within the steppes (Leimgruber et al, 2001).…”

Section: Movementsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Population trends were largely estimated from partial surveys or anecdotal evidence of population change; this has resulted in large fl uctuations in estimates of the total population size (Leimgruber et al, 2001;Milner-Gulland & Lhagvasuren, 1998;Reading et al, 1998). For historical purposes and to provide targets for population recovery, it was estimated that as many as 4.5 million gazelle may have existed in Mongolia at the beginning of the 20 th century (Milner-Gulland & Lhagvasuren, 1998).…”

Section: Population Sizementioning

confidence: 99%

A Literature Review of Mongolian Gazelle (Procapra gutturosa) Ecology from 1998 to Present

2010

Mong. J. Biol. Sci.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

With respect to Mongolian gazelles a great deal of new knowledge has been gained over the past 10-12 years since the last species reviews were conducted. Advances in molecular techniques have helped to clarify the status of the genus Procapra and the relationship between the three extant species within and have highlighted the high genetic heterozygosity throughout the population. New morphological studies have focused on dimorphism between the sexes and the evolutionary development and role the enlarged larynx seen in males. Mongolian gazelles have long been the subject of intense debate with respect to their role as reservoirs for pathogens such as Foot and Mouth Disease virus, but with long term collection of serum from adults and calves it has been shown that gazelles are passive recipients of a virus harbored and spread by other means. Great strides have been made in the study of Mongolian gazelle forage ecology and their overlap in diet with domestic livestock as well as better understanding the physical adaptations needed for survival in a harsh environment with long periods of low quality forage availability by switching to browsing and grazing strategies. Using satellite tracking and remote sensing technology gazelle movement patterns are much better understood. Movements are more nomadic in nature and linked to tracking changes in quality habitat in time and space and less dictated by what was previously thought to be traditional migratory patterns. Mongolian gazelle have highly synchronized calving events which coincide with the start of the summer solstice and calf weights are correlated with the previous winter's harshness. Calves demonstrate behavior associated with 'hider' species for the fi rst few weeks of life before they begin to aggregate in large herds and move to different grazing grounds. Advances in survey methodologies have led to a better assessment of the population status of Mongolian gazelles and the most recent published studies estimated there to be 1.126 million gazelles living within Mongolia's border. Density varies widely and is negatively correlated with the presence of households. Future studies should focus on research that helps us better evaluate population dynamics, forage preference, behavioral interactions, and the role gazelles play in ecosystem function.

show abstract

Spatial patterns in relative primary productivity and gazelle migration in the Eastern Steppes of Mongolia

Cited by 63 publications

References 31 publications

Fences Impede Long-distance Mongolian Gazelle (Procapra gutturosa) Movements in Drought-stricken Landscapes

Fences Impede Long-distance Mongolian Gazelle (Procapra gutturosa) Movements in Drought-stricken Landscapes

Habitat Fragmentation by Railways as a Barrier to Great Migrations of Ungulates in Mongolia

A Literature Review of Mongolian Gazelle (Procapra gutturosa) Ecology from 1998 to Present

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About