Ugtam mountain

Surface area: 46,162 ha
Elevation: 700-1,200 m

Protection status: Fully protected by Ugtam Mountain Nature Reserve.

Site description: The site comprises Ulz river valley and the lakes along the valley, and their surrounding areas characterized by deciduous forest and mountain steppe zone. There is riparian forest along the valley. Rare plants such as Spirea pubescens, Viburonum mongolicum and Sophia avescens grow at the site. Ugtam Mountain is located in the southest of Khentii mountain range and at the end of Daguur steppe. However, it is considered that there are no potential threats at the site, protection and management activities not practicing at all. The major land use is livestock grazing. Ugtam monastery operates in this mountain and prayers visit to monastery. The major thereats at the site are illegal logging, wildfire and poaching.

Importance for birds: Over 250 bird species have been recorded at the site. Globally Threatened species such as White-naped Crane (Grus vipio), Saker Falcon (Falco cherrug), Lesser Kestrel (F.naumanni), Swan Goose (Anser cygnoides), Hooded Crane (G. monacha) and Great Bustard (Otis tarda) occur at the site.  Steppe Eagles (Aquila nipalensis), White-tailed Eagles (Haliaeetus albicilla) and Demoiselle Crane (Anthropoides virgo) regularly breed here. White-naped Crane (Grus vipio), restricted to the North East Asian Crane Site Network, occur here, exceeding 1% of their flyway populations.

Special flora and fauna: Red Deer (Cervus elaphus), Siberian Roe Deer (Capreolus pygargus), Wild Boar (Sus scrofa), Mongolian Gazelle (Procapra gutturosa), Lynx (Felis lynx) and Pallas’s Cat (Felis manul), listed in Red Data Book of Mongolia, occur at the site. Large head of Mongolian Gazelle (Procapra gutturosa) roam at the site during the springs and autumns.