The Physical Geography of Mongolia

Description

This book gives the most detailed and comprehensive physico-geographical overview of the very unique country of Mongolia. The country offers diverse geographical features and natural landscapes combined with a long history. This book offers integrated and systematical research on the geophysical characteristics of Mongolia with an academic orientation. It provides the readers with general knowledge of the physical geography of Mongolia as well as new results of the latest research. The volume consists of 11 chapters, each written by field experts, with contributions from scientific researchers from Mongolia.The topics covered: geological and geomorphological characteristics and processes, landscapes and landforms, climate and climate change, hydrology, glaciers and permafrost, soils, environmental changes, biodiversity and many other aspects of physical geography in Mongolia.The book appeals to researchers and students of geography and related fields and can serve as a guide for field trips to Mongolia or basic literature for research projects. 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