Mongolian Red List of Reptiles and Amphibians - Web - Zoological ...

FOREWORD
The uniqueness of Mongolian fl ora and fauna and their composition are determined by the
harsh climatic conditions and ecosystem peculiarities of our country.
In recent years, we have witnessed some adverse shifts in ecosystem states in Mongolia due to
global climate change and various other anthropogenic effects. These changes have resulted in
an increase in desertifi cation, the intensity of soil erosion, a loss of freshwater resources and
biological diversity, and an increase in the frequency of natural disturbances.
Rationally, the situation demands us to be able to relate the fi ndings of modern science with
our traditional values of natural conservation in protecting and conserving our natural heritage,
including the environment, as well as plants and animals.
With this in mind, we prepared two editions of The Red Data Book of Mongolia in 1987
and 1997, which listed endangered and threatened plant and animal species that occur in the
country.
This time, we are presenting you with the Mongolian Red List of Reptiles and Amphibians,
which is really the fi rst in the series produced by the Mongolian Biodiversity Databank
Project. The project is generously supported by the World Bank and the Kingdom of the
Netherlands and will eventually cover all other vertebrates occurring in Mongolia. The Red
List compiled by the joint efforts of national and international scholars is clearly a work of
international standard that discusses the geographical distribution of reptiles and amphibians
in our country, their rarity categories, factors infl uencing their abundance and required
conservation measures.
This volume provides a guideline for reptile and amphibian conservation, prepared
by scientifi c institution. I do hope that this work will be satisfactory to policy-makers,
professionals, researchers, students and other environmentally-conscious parties.
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I. Erdenebaatar
Minister for Nature and Environment
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia