Abstract:

Objective: Great Gobi A Strictly Protected Area of Mongolia is a refuge for many endangered species distributed in border areas between China and Mongolia. Especially the Gobi Bear, which is a subspecies of the brown bear, holds the distinction of being the sole bear globally residing in the Gobi and desert region, and is revered as a“national mammal”in Mongolia. In response to the request by the Mongolian government, diversities and distribution patterns of the dominant mammals were investigated in this protected area. We aim to provide data support for Gobi Bear management and scientific research of wildlife in the Great Gobi A Strictly Protected Area. Method: From April 2019 to March 2021, a total of 118 infrared cameras were set up at Gobi Bear feeding stations, water source sites and animal trails in the protected area. A list of mammal and bird species was compiled according to the camera trapping data. The distribution index and relative abundance index were used to compare the distribution intensity and abundance of Gobi Bear and its Sympatric wild animals and to compare the distribution patterns of the main animal speceis. Relationships between their distribution patterns and species interaction or environmental factors were analyzed and discussed. Result: In total, 13 mammal animal species which belong to 6 orders, and 48 bird species, which belong to 10 orders, were identified with a total of 59 271 camera days and 23 312 independent detections of the dominant mammals during the survey. Among the mammal species, the top three were Asiatic Wild Ass, Wild Camel, and Gobi Bear. The distribution index of the Gobi Bear was gradually decreasing from east to west in the Protected Area. It was the highest in the Tsagaan Bogd region, the Shar Khuls region was the second, and the Atas Inges region was the lowest. Most of the ungulate species showed a decreasing trend from west to east in distribution index. While carnivore species showed different distribution patterns among different oases. As the survey focus on Gobi Bear, the relative abundance index of Gobi Bear was the highest (20.61) among the carnivore species. The relative abundance index of Asiatic Wild Ass was the highest (17.26) in ungulates. Conclusion: The distribution index of the dominant mammals were different in different oases. It may be related to their habitat selection preferences and the distribution of predators/prey. Most species have different relative abundance index among the feeding stations, water source sites and animal trails. Especially in ungulates, the relative abundance index at the water source sites were significantly higher than that at the other habitats. It is recommended that continuing investigation around the water source sites is important to further find out the animal diversity in the Great Gobi A Strictly Protected Area and to understand the distribution dynamics of the endangered species such as Gobi Bear and the sympatric animals.

Key words: Great Gobi A Strictly Protected Area, Ursus arctos gobiensis, animal diversity, infrared camera trap, distribution pattern