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Protecting Migration Corridors: Challenges and Optimism For Mongolian Saiga
Protecting Migration Corridors: Challenges and Optimism For Mongolian Saiga
M
igrations are an important
ecological phenomena
rapidly declining throughout
the world [1]. Within many
ungulate populations, migration is a
polymorphic trait; animals can cover
either long or short distances, pass
across broad swaths of land such as
those of caribou (Rangifer tarandus)
and wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus),
or squeeze through bottlenecks as
narrow as 120 meters as described for
pronghorn (Antilocapra americana)
[2,3]. Given that the persistence of
terrestrial migration is challenged
primarily by anthropogenic forces,
protection is often possible, assuming
the availability of appropriate
knowledge concerning movements, doi:10.1371/journal.pbio.0060165.g001
threats, and meta-population structure,
and the willingness to implement Figure 1. Mongolian Saiga (Saiga tatarica mongolica)
coincident conservation actions that Juvenile Mongolian saiga female within the Sharga Nature Reserve. Over-harvesting, poaching for
involve local decision makers. Here, we horns, and habitat degradation are among the threats facing this endangered migratory species.
illustrate these issues by profiling an
endangered species—the Mongolian remain within Mongolia, totaling and Huysiyn Govi subpopulations. The
saiga (Saiga tatarica mongolica; Figure approximately 5,000 individuals [7]. corridor for saiga moving between the
1), highlighting the importance of Recent anti-poaching efforts may Shargyn Govi and the Huysiyn Govi
protecting movement routes in light halt these downward trends, but includes three potential bottlenecks:
of habitat, human culture, and other protection from threats other than a passage around Darvi-Altay soum
sources of population risk. poaching has been hampered by a (town), a second along the lake
lack of knowledge about movements north of Darvi-Altay soum, and a
Mongolian Saiga and locations at which to focus third area less than five kilometers
Expansive grasslands in central Asia conservation efforts. Thus, information wide located north of the lake and
sustain extraordinary movements on migration routes and potential Darvi-Altay (Figure 2). Although all
between winter and summer ranges impediments to movement may reduce three bottlenecks likely represent
of several endangered species [4,5]. the loss of corridors and facilitate saiga important passages, the first two serve
Many of these wide-ranging species persistence before saiga populations
are threatened or endangered because reach perilously low numbers.
Citation: Berger J, Young JK, Berger KM (2008)
of over-harvesting, poaching for Protecting migration corridors: Challenges and
Importance of Connectivity for optimism for Mongolian saiga. PLoS Biol 6(7): e165.
horns that are subsequently used in
traditional medicine, and degradation
Saiga Populations to Persist doi:10.1371/journal.pbio.0060165
of pastures by livestock grazing [6]. Our research on adult female saiga Copyright: © 2008 Berger et al. This is an open-
Saiga are among the unfortunate using global positioning system access article distributed under the terms of
the Creative Commons Attribution License,
leaders in terms of population declines, (GPS) collars identified the use of a which permits unrestricted use, distribution,
their numbers having dropped more narrow corridor connecting the two and reproduction in any medium, provided the
subpopulations north of the Altai original author and source are credited.
than 95%, from greater than 1,000,000
to less than 50,000 in under two Mountains in western Mongolia [8]. The authors are with the Wildlife Biology Program,
decades [7]. Only two subpopulations Females that used the Sharga Nature Division of Biological Sciences, University of Montana,
Missoula, Montana, United States of America, and the
Reserve moved beyond reserve Wildlife Conservation Society, Northern Rockies Field
boundaries at least twice within the Office, University of Montana, Missoula, Montana,
The Perspective section provides experts with a 2006–2007 monitoring period, traveling United States of America.
forum to comment on topical or controversial issues
northward into currently unprotected * To whom correspondence should be addressed.
of broad interest.
areas that connect the Shargyn Govi E-mail: jyoung@wcs.org