Date of Award

5-28-2010

Document Type

Capstone

Degree Name

M.S.

Keywords

Mongolia, Native flora and fauna preservation

Department

Geography

First Advisor

Kathryn M. Flanagan

Second Advisor

John A. Hill

Third Advisor

James R. Davis

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.

Comments

Copyright is held by the author.

Download



Share

COinS