Date of Award

5-28-2010

Document Type

Masters Capstone Project

Degree Name

M.S. in Geographic Information Science

Organizational Unit

College of Natural Science and Mathematics, Geography and the Environment

First Advisor

Kathryn M. Flanagan

Second Advisor

John A. Hill

Third Advisor

James R. Davis

Keywords

Mongolia, Native flora and fauna preservation

Abstract

Mongolia is a country with a park system of protected areas, preserving native flora and fauna. In order to inform decision makers about the status of endangered species and park land health, two species of concern, the Argali sheep (Ovis ammon) and Siberian ibex Capra siberica) in the Ikh Nart Reserve in Mongolia were studied. A Habitat Suitability Index Model was developed to study the Argali and ibex habitat preference and discern if the reserve and core zone offer optimal habitat. A total of 57 animals were examined, creating 95% and 50% home range kernels, and minimum convex polygons. The percent use of six vegetation classes were rated from 0 (most preferred) to 6 (least preferred). The 3 most preferred vegetation classes for Argali and ibex are dense rock, low-density shrub, and short grass forb. The core zone was designed appropriately offering the same proportion of vegetation classes as Argali and ibex prefer.

Copyright Date

5-28-2010

Copyright Statement / License for Reuse

All Rights Reserved
All Rights Reserved.

Publication Statement

Copyright is held by the author. User is responsible for all copyright compliance.

Rights Holder

Nanette Bragin

Provenance

Received from author

File Format

application/pdf

Language

English (eng)

Extent

57 pgs

File Size

5.7 MB

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