Department of Environmental Conservation

(M.S., W&FCON)

Project:

Calf survival and mortality of the saiga antelope in western Mongolia

Contact:

bbayarbabbayarba(at)eco.umass.edu

Position

Wildlife Biologist, Institute of Biology, Mongolian Academy of Sciences

Support:

Rufford Small Grants Fund
Wildlife Conservation Society
Wildlife Conservation Network
EDGE Fellow Program, Zoological Society of London

Web links:

http://www.ruffordsmallgrants.org/rsg/projects/buuveibaatar_bayarbaatar
http://www.wcs.org/where-we-work/asia/mongolia.aspx
http://www.edgeofexistence.org/mammals/species_info.php?id=62
http://www.edgeofexistence.org/conservation/buuveibaatar_bayarbaatar.php
http://www.saiga-conservation.com/

Project abstract:

Mongolian saiga (Saiga tatarica mongolica) are one of the last great migratory species of Asia, but their population size and range have declined dramatically during the past half-century. Yet saiga antelope have great recovery potential, with high fecundity and regular rates of twinning. Understanding the effects of predation and other mortality factors on Mongolian saiga calves is critical to the long-term survival of the species. However, very little is known about adult survival and no information exists about calf survival or causes of mortality. We proposed a project to examine calf production, survival, and recruitment to understand of saiga demography by capturing, radiocollaring, and monitoring newborn saiga calves in western Mongolia.

Publications:

Berger, J. K. M. Murray, B. Buuveibaatar, M. R. Dunbar, and B. Lkhagvasuren. In press. Capture of ungulates in Central Asia using drive nets: advantages and pitfalls illustrated by endangered Mongolian saiga Saiga tatarica mongolica. Oryx

Yoshihara Y, T. Ohkuro, B. Buuveibaatar, J. Undarmaa and K. Takeuchi. 2010. Responses of vegetation to soil disturbance by Siberian marmots within a landscape and between landscape positions in Hustai National Park, Mongolia. Grassland Science 56:42-50

Bayarbaatar Buuveibaatar, Julie K. Young and Amanda.E. Fine. 2009.  Mongolian saiga in Sharga Nature Reserve: Are domestic dogs a threat  to saiga? Mongolian Journal of Biological Sciences 44: 285-292

Yoshihara Y, T. Ohkuro, B. Buuveibaatar, J. Undarmaa and K. Takeuchi. 2010.Complementary effects of disturbance by livestock and marmots on the spatial heterogeneity of vegetation and soil in a Mongolian steppe ecosystem.Agriculture, Ecosystem and Environment. 135: 155-159

Yoshihara Y, T. Ohkuro, B. Buuveibaatar, J. Undarmaa and K. Takeuchi. 2010. Spatial pattern of grazing affects the influence of herbivores on spatial heterogeneity of plants and soils. Oecologia 162:427-434.

Young, J.K., K.M. Murray, S. Strindberg, B. Buuveibaatar and J. Berger. 2010. Population estimates of Mongolian saiga: Implications for effective monitoring and population recovery. Oryx 44:285-292

Yoshihara Y, T. Ohkuro, B. Buuveibaatar, J. Undarmaa and K. Takeuchi. 2009. Pollinators are attracted to mounds created by burrowing animals (marmots) in a Mongolian grassland. Journal of Arid Environments. 74: 159-163

Yoshihara Y, T. Ohkuro, B. Buuveibaatar, J. Undarmaa and K. Takeuchi. 2010. Clustered animal burrows yield higher spatial heterogeneity. Plant Ecology. 206:211-224.

Yoshihara Y, B. Chimeddorj and B. Buuveibaatar. 2009. Heavy grazing constraints on foraging behavior of Mongolian livestock. Grassland Science. 55:29-35.

Yoshihara Y, T. Ohkuro, B. Buuveibaatar, K. Takeuchi. 2009. Effects of disturbance by Siberian marmots (Marmota sibirica) on spatial heterogeneity of vegetation at multiple spatial scales. Grassland Science. 56:89-95.

Berger, J., K.M. Berger, S. Bergen, B. Buuveibaatar, A. Fine, B. Lkhagvasuren, J.K. Young, and P. Zahler. 2008. Migration bottlenecks, climate, and the conservation of Pleistocene Relicts in Central Asia. The Open Conservation Biology Journal. 2:9-10.

Ito, T. Y., A. Okada, B. Buuveibaatar, B. Lhagvasuren, S. Takatsuki, A. Tsunekawa. 2008. One-sided barrier impact of an international railroad on Mongolian gazelles. Journal of Wildlife Management. 72:940-943.

Yoshihara Y, B. Chimeddorj, B. Buuveibaatar, B. Lhagvasuren, and S. Takatsuki. 2008. Effects of livestock grazing on pollination on a steppe in eastern Mongolia. Biological Conservation. 141:2376-2386.