5:15 PM - 7:15 PM
[U04-P08] The Ulz River land cover and land use classification
Keywords:wetland, land cover/land use, classification
Land cover and land use classification (LCLU) in wetlands is crucial for understanding and managing these vital ecosystems. Wetlands provide essential environmental services, including biodiversity conservation, climate regulation, and water purification. Accurate classification helps in monitoring changes, assessing impacts, and developing sustainable management strategies. The wetlands of Mongolia are facing multifaceted challenges from climate change, anthropogenic pressures, and mining activities. Effective management and conservation strategies are crucial to preserving these vital ecosystems, which are not only important for local biodiversity but also for global ecological health. Study area: The Ulz River serves as a critical water source for the Dauria region, which has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site due to its unique landscapes and biodiversity. The Dauria region is characterized by its rich ecosystems, which rely heavily on the water provided by the Ulz River and its tributaries. The Ulz River, located in northeastern Mongolia, is a significant waterway that plays a crucial role in the region's ecology and biodiversity. It is part of the Amur River Basin, which is known for its rich biodiversity, including endemic fish species and diverse terrestrial flora and fauna (Surenkhorloo et al., 2021). In this study, we aimed to conduct a classification analysis of land use and landfill classification within the Ulz River protected area. The reserve area includes a total of 32 large and small lake ponds, with the largest being Sain Tsagaan lake, covering an area of 82 hectares. Following that, Kholboo Lake spans 12 hectares, Taliin Tolgoin lake covers 9.2 hectares, and Ikh Khonkhor Lake has a surface area of 7.1 hectares. These lakes, both large and small, serve as an important water source that supports the wetlands of the Ulz River.
Wetlands: Along the Ulz River basin and in the valley between the Norovlin Mountains, wetlands are scattered across the area, covering a total of 9,915 hectares. These wetlands are nourished by marshes, sediments, and creeks.
At the reserve level, 19 rivers, streams, and springs have been recorded, with a total length of 183 km. The Ulz River, the longest of these, serves as the source of the wetlands. Within the reserve, the Ulz River itself spans 49 km.
Forest of the Ulz River consists of a group of isolated forest areas dominated by pines, spruces, and larch species. The main forest reserves are scattered around the Delger Khan Mountains in the central part of the protected area, along the southern part of the Ulz River basin. These forests of the Norovlin Mountains will be distinguished by the continuous forests of the Ereen Mountain on the west side of the Ulz River basin. The total forest area will be 4,888.4 hectares, which is 4.8% of the reserve area. These isolated forests, which consist of a total of 114 patches, have the largest area of 338.7 hectares. These patch forests are dominated by trees such as larch, birch, and aspen, with birch, willows growing around the edges of the forest.
Wetlands: Along the Ulz River basin and in the valley between the Norovlin Mountains, wetlands are scattered across the area, covering a total of 9,915 hectares. These wetlands are nourished by marshes, sediments, and creeks.
At the reserve level, 19 rivers, streams, and springs have been recorded, with a total length of 183 km. The Ulz River, the longest of these, serves as the source of the wetlands. Within the reserve, the Ulz River itself spans 49 km.
Forest of the Ulz River consists of a group of isolated forest areas dominated by pines, spruces, and larch species. The main forest reserves are scattered around the Delger Khan Mountains in the central part of the protected area, along the southern part of the Ulz River basin. These forests of the Norovlin Mountains will be distinguished by the continuous forests of the Ereen Mountain on the west side of the Ulz River basin. The total forest area will be 4,888.4 hectares, which is 4.8% of the reserve area. These isolated forests, which consist of a total of 114 patches, have the largest area of 338.7 hectares. These patch forests are dominated by trees such as larch, birch, and aspen, with birch, willows growing around the edges of the forest.