Preliminary Results on Surface and Soil Characteristics of Brandt's Vole (Microtus brandti) Habitat in Central Mongolia Using Satellite Data

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Does Brandt's vole (Microtus brandti) makes damage to the environment or provides management? To solve such query, we analyzed land surface characteristics, the nitrogen content and soil hardness measurements at the Brandt's vole colony, for examining changes of land surface and soil by activity of Brandt's vole. The soil hardness was lowest at colony (about 13 mm) and highest at off colony area (about 25 mm). The soil became softer at the colony places. The nitrogen content was high on the mound, and showed high nutritive value of soil. The colonies were located at places with different altitude and slopes, but mostly at no shade (0.73～0.87). The soil mixing made by burrowing activity of Brandt's voles might have a great impact on ecosystems of Mongolian steppe. Soft soil on colony enriched in nitrogen presented good condition for such plants as Artemisia adamsii. As conclusion, we considered that Brandt's vole might indicate the degradation of pasture and play important role in ecosystem recovery.

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