International Society of Zoological Sciences (ISZS) held Research on Ecological Security Assessment and Countermeasures along the China-Mongolia-Russia Corridor in the Belt and Road Region (CMRC) Project Workshop in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia during 2-9 August 2023. A team of 22 researchers from China, Mongolia, Russia and Kazakhstan paid a visit to Ulaanbaatar. The visit is led by Prof. Zhibin Zhang, the Deputy President of ISZS, funded by the Alliance of International Science Organization (ANSO), hosted by Prof. Davaakhuu Gantulga, the Director, Institute of Biology, Mongolian Academy of Sciences and Erdenetuya Batsuren, Institute of Plant Protection. The trip is jointly by Acad. Viatcheslav Rozhnov of Russian Academy of Sciences; Prof. Roman Jashenko, Institute of Zoology, Republic of Kazakhstan, and other experts from Computer Network Information Center (CNIC) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Institute of Hydrobiology of CAS, Institute of Geographic Science and Natural Resources Research of CAS, Inner Mongolia Normal University, Northeast Forestry University, Heilongjiang Forestry and Grassland Administration, ANSO, Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research of CAS, Hainan University and Institute of Zoology of CAS.

There are ten presentations by scientists and project members: “From East to West: Big Mammals Studies and Conservation on the Silk Road in Russia”, “China Science and Technology Cloud (CSTCloud) supporting open sharing and cooperation of scientific data”, “Priority and Gap Analysis of Key Habitats along Waterbird Flyways in China”, “Birds Migration Visual Analysis Platform, Cross-border protection of Amur Tigers”, “The Impact of Climate Change on the Habitat Distribution Patterns ofGeese in East Asia”, “Study on population fluctuation factors and related mechanisms of Brandt's Voles in Inner Mongolia”, “Introduction of the Alliance of International Science Organizations (ANSO)”,”Introduction of the International Society of Zoological Sciences (ISZS) and the journal Integrative Zoology”, “Introduction of ISZS International Protected Area Network and IUCN SSC China Species Specialist Committee”.

Leaders from the four countries

All participants of the trip

There were very successful meetings to review the draft book of “Ecological Security Assessment and Countermeasures along the China-Mongolia-Russia Corridor in the Belt and Road Region” which contains ecological and socio-economic status report on the China-Mongolia-Russia economic corridor, analysis of the 20-years vegetation and ecological dynamics, assessment of ecological risks to biodiversity, countermeasures and recommendations for transboundary conservation cooperation in the four key transboundary areas: distribution area of Amur tiger and Amur leopard between China and Russia; Dauria between China, Mongolia and Russia; extreme arid region between China and Mongolia; and Altai area between China, Russia, Mongolia and Kazakhstan. Based on the analysis, recommendations were proposed for the study and conservation of biodiversity and ecosystems in these key regions. During the trip, four countries have comprehensive discussion on the recommendations on transboundary cooperation in biodiversity conservation and zoonotic disease management to be sent to relevant governmental departments of the four countries. Participants also shared their relevant studies and discussed possible cooperations among different organizations.

Meetings in the Institute of Biology, Mongolian Academy of Sciences

Discussion on recommendations to governments of the four countries

In additional to productive meetings, we also carried out joint investigations on biodiversity in Hustai National Park, Gorkhi Terelj National Park and Bogd Khan Uul Biosphere Reserve during 4-7 August.