Abstract
Forest stands in the semi-arid environment of northern Mongolia have an essential role in controlling ongoing desertification in the surrounding landscape. Over the last decade, the total forest area has decreased dramatically. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of natural regeneration as an essential element for ensuring sustainability of these forests. Based on field measurements from 120 plots in six sites, our assessment tool revealed five qualitative categories of forest regeneration, allowing us to assess impacts of both grazing and environmental conditions on the regeneration process. Grazing is a crucial factor and adversely affects regeneration. For sites with relatively low grazing intensity, low soil moisture levels represent the main reason for reduced regeneration. The approach to classification proposed in this study allows for the identification and interpretation of stand conditions where natural regeneration has failed. This study provides an important foundation to inform decision- making related to land protection and restoration actions. Our findings could be used in comparative studies and, importantly, may aid further mapping of Mongolian forests.
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Acknowledgements
We thank for support and background based on the Memorandum of Understanding provided by the Mongolian University of Life Sciences, Mongolian University of Science and Technology and the active cooperation with the Czech Embassy in Ulaanbaatar, especially Mr. Oldřich Zajíček.
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Project funding: This work was supported by funding provided by the project CEITEC 2020 (LQ1601), project of the Czech Development Agency CzDA-RO-MN-2014-6-31210 and the Research Fund of the FFWT at Mendel University in Brno (Reg. Number: LDF_PSV_2017008).
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Corresponding editor: Zhu Hong.
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Juřička, D., Kusbach, A., Pařílková, J. et al. Evaluation of natural forest regeneration as a part of land restoration in the Khentii massif, Mongolia. J. For. Res. 31, 1773–1786 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11676-019-00962-5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11676-019-00962-5