The Physical Geography of Mongolia

Preface
Acknowledgements
Contents
Editor and Contributors
List of Figures
List of Tables
1 General Geographical Characteristics of Mongolia
Abstract
1.1 Geographical Location and Territory
1.2 Physical Feature
1.3 Climate
1.4 Water Resources
1.5 Soils, Plant and Animal Life
1.6 Natural Resources
1.7 Population and Culture
References
2 Historical Geography: Administrative Division and Research in Physical Geography of Mongolia
Abstract
2.1 Territorial and Administrative Transformation
2.2 History of Physical Geography Research
2.2.1 Early Geographical Exploration of Mongolia
2.2.2 Researches in the Nineteenth Century
2.2.3 Researches in the Twentieth Century
2.3 Contemporary Approaches
References
3 The Relief and Geomorphological Characteristics of Mongolia
Abstract
3.1 Overview of Geomorphological Research
3.2 General Description of Geomorphological Characteristics
3.3 The Relief Evolution
3.4 Morphogenetic Types of Relief
3.4.1 The Tectonic-Erosion Type of Relief
3.4.2 The Erosion-Accumulation Type of Relief
3.4.3 The Accumulative Type of Relief
3.4.4 Volcanic-Type of Relief
3.4.5 The Micro-Reliefs
3.5 Geomorphological Regions and Main Characteristics
3.5.1 The Mongol Altai Region
3.5.2 The Khuvsgul Mountains Region
3.5.3 The Khangai Mountains Region
3.5.4 The Khentii Mountains Region
3.5.5 The Middle Mountains of Eastern Khyangan
3.5.6 The Gobi-Altai Region
3.5.7 The Orkhon-Selenge Mid-Elevation Mountain Region
3.5.8 Great Lakes Depression and Valley of Lakes
3.5.9 Trans-Altai Gobi
3.5.10 The Dundgovi–Umnugovi Region
3.5.11 Eastern Mongolia
References
4 Climate and Climate Change of Mongolia
Abstract
4.1 Overview of the Climate Research
4.2 Climate Formation Factors
4.2.1 The Effect of Geographical Location
4.2.2 The Effects of Elevation and Topography
4.2.3 The Air Circulation Effects
4.3 Spatial Characteristics of the Main Climatic Parameters
4.3.1 Spatial Differences in Solar Radiation and Sunshine
4.3.2 Regional Distribution of Air Temperature
4.3.3 Seasonal and Spatial Distribution in Precipitation
4.3.4 Snow Cover
4.3.5 Spatial and Temporal Distribution of Air Pressure
4.3.6 Wind Regimes
4.4 Climatic Regions and Main Characteristics
4.5 Climate Change and Its Impact
4.5.1 Climate Change and Tendency
4.5.2 Climate Change Impact
4.5.3 Climate-Related Natural Disaster
References
5 Hydrography of Mongolia
Abstract
5.1 Overview of Hydrographical Research of Mongolia
5.2 Hydrological Characteristics of Surface Water
5.3 Rivers
5.3.1 River Runoff and Discharge
5.3.2 River Thermal Regime
5.4 Lakes
5.5 Mineral Springs
5.6 Groundwater
5.6.1 Groundwater Resources and Geographical Distribution
5.6.2 Groundwater Mineralization and Usage
References
6 Glaciers of Mongolia
Abstract
6.1 Overview of Glacial Research in Mongolia
6.2 Distribution and Variation of Glaciers
6.2.1 Glaciers of Mongol Altai Mountains
6.2.2 Glacier of Khangai Mountains
6.2.3 Glacier of Khuvsgul Mountains
6.2.4 Glacier of Khentii Mountains
6.3 The Trend of Changes in the Glaciers
6.4 Impact of Glaciation
6.4.1 Impacts in Relief
6.4.2 Impacts in Hydrology
References
7 Permafrost in Mongolia
Abstract
7.1 Overview of Permafrost Research in Mongolia
7.2 Geographical Distribution and Zones of Permafrost in Mongolia
7.3 Cryogenic Processes and Features
7.4 Active Layer
7.5 The Temperature State of Permafrost
7.6 Permafrost Degradation
7.6.1 Temperature Changes in Permafrost
7.6.2 Spatial Degradation of Permafrost
7.7 Permafrost Problems on Infrastructure
References
8 Soils of Mongolia
Abstract
8.1 Overview of the Soil Research
8.2 Soil Zones, Belts and Characteristics
8.3 Soil Classifications of Mongolia
8.4 Soil-Geographic Zoning of Mongolia
8.5 Soil Degradation
8.5.1 Water Degradation
8.5.2 Wind Erosion
References
9 Biogeographical Characteristics of Mongolia
Abstract
9.1 Phytogeographical Features and Studies
9.1.1 Phytogeographical Regions
9.1.2 Distribution Patterns of the Flora
9.2 Zoogeographical Features and Studies
9.2.1 Zoogeographical Regions
9.2.2 Distribution Patterns of the Fauna
9.2.3 Some Faunas
References
10 Division of the Physiographic and Natural Regions in Mongolia
Abstract
10.1 History of the Geographical Regionilization in Mongolia
10.1.1 Physiographic Regions
10.1.2 The Natural Zones and Belts
10.1.3 Development and Principles for Updated Classification of the Natural Zones
10.2 Main Characteristics of the Natural Zones and Belts
10.2.1 High Mountain Belt
10.2.2 Mountain Taiga Belt
10.2.3 Forested Steppe (Khangai) Zone
10.2.4 Steppe Zone
10.2.5 Semi-desert (Gobi) Zone
10.2.6 Desert Zone
10.2.7 Climate Change and Anthropogenic Impacts
References
11 Land Use and Nature Conservation in Mongolia
Abstract
11.1 Land Use and Resources
11.1.1 Agricultural Land Use Activity
11.1.2 Land of Cities, Villages and Other Settlements Land Use Activity
11.1.3 Forest Resources Land Use Activity
11.1.4 Special Needs Land Use Activity
11.1.5 Other (Under Roads and Networks, Water Resources) Land Use Activity
11.1.6 The Nature Conservation
11.1.7 The Tradition of the Nature Conservation
11.1.8 The Protected Areas
11.1.9 Ramsar Sites in Mongolia
11.1.10 World Heritage, Man and Biosphere Sites
11.1.11 Important Bird Areas
11.1.12 Transboundary Protected Areas
11.1.13 Ecoregions
References
Index