Shar S., Moroldoev I.V., Lkhagvasuren D. 2020. Small mammal communities of the Mongolian Gobi Region: diversity and impacts of mining // Russian J. Theriol. Vol.19. No.1. P.94–98 [in English].
Setev Shar [shar@num.edu.mn], Department of Biology, School of Science and Arts, National University of Mongolia, Ikh Surguuliin gudamj-1, p.o.box -46a/402, Ulaanbaatar 14201, Mongolia; Igor V. Moroldoev [igmor@list.ru], Institute of Systematics and Ecology of Animals, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Frunze str. 11, Novosibirsk 630091, Russia; Davaa Lkhagvasuren [lkhagvasuren@num.edu.mn], Department of Biology, School of Science and Arts, National University of Mongolia, Ikh Surguuliin gudamj-1, p.o.box -46a/523, Ulaanbaatar 14201, Mongolia.
doi: 10.15298/rusjtheriol.19.1.10
ABSTRACT. In the Gobi region of Mongolia, mining activities have developed rapidly over the last 20 years. The development of the mining sector is important for the economic growth of Mongolia, but local communities have always been critical of its negative impact. The purpose of our study was to determine the mining effects on the small mammal community in the Gobi region. In order to achieve this goal, we estimated the species diversity and abundance of small mammal populations in the vicinity of the Tavan Tolgoi and Oyu Tolgoi mines in Umnugobi aimag of Mongolia in August 2017 and in August 2018. Generally, mining activities in the Gobi region have negative impacts on small mammal communities, and at the same time effects differ on the different species of small mammals.
KEY WORDS: diversity, small mammals, communities, impact of mining, Mongolian Gobi.