Ikh Bogd Mountain (28299)
Mongolia, Asia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2009
National site name: Ikh Bogd Mountain
Central coordinates: Latitude: 51.0167, Longitude: 99.4500
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 1538 to 3957
Area of KBA (km2): 873.0465
Protected area coverage (%): 97.04
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The site comprises the highest ranges of the Gobi-Altai Mountains, on the borders of Bogd, Jinst and Bayangobi soums. The highest peak of the mountain is Terguun, which has a fl at, vegetation-free plateau. There are semi-desert habitats to the north and south of the mountain range. South-facing slopes have many wide, open valleys, while north-facing slopes are steeper and have narrow rocky valleys. Subalpine grassy meadows and montane steppe dominate from mid to high elevations. In 1975, a major earthquake resulted in the creation of several small lakes. The only signifi cant land use is livestock grazing.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance because it meets one or more previously established criteria and thresholds for identifying sites of biodiversity importance (including Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas, Alliance for Zero Extinction sites, and Key Biodiversity Areas)
Additional biodiversity: Globally Threatened species include White-throated Bushchat Saxicola insignis (VU). The site supports assemblages of bird species restricted to the Eurasian steppe and desert biome, such as Mongolian Ground Jay Podoces hendersoni, as well as species restricted to the Eurasian high montane biome, such as Altai Snowcock Tetraogallus altaicus. Non-bird biodiversity: Ikh Bogd Mountain is rich in rare and elusive wildlife species, such as Argali Ovis ammon (NT), Siberian Ibex Capra sibirica, Stone Marten Martes foina, Pallas’s Cat Felis manul (NT), Eurasian Lynx Lynx lynx and Snow Leopard Uncia uncia (EN). The site is rich in rare alpine plants. So far, a total of 500 vascular plants in 218 genera and 51 families have been recorded.