Urad Saxaul Forest and Mongolian Wild Ass National Nature Reserve

Urad Saxaul Forest and Mongolian Wild Ass National Nature Reserve

The Urad Saxaul Forest and Mongolian Wild Ass National Nature Reserve is a national-level nature reserve.

The Inner Mongolia Urad Saxaul Forest and Mongolian Wild Ass National Nature Reserve is situated in the Bayanhangai and Bayanqiandamen sums of central and western Urad Banner in Bayannur City, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, bordering Mongolia. It lies between 106°15′ to 108°00′ east longitude and 41°50′ to 42°27′ north latitude, and is classified as a national-level nature reserve of the desert ecosystem type. The reserve stretches 140 km from east to west and spans 22 km from north to south, covering a total area of 131,800 hectares. In 1985, the Nuden Saxaul Forest Nature Reserve in Urad Rear Banner was established with the approval of the People's Government of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. In June 2001, it was upgraded to the Urad National Nature Reserve with the approval of the State Council.

The main conservation targets are the original natural saxaul forests found in the area and the rare wild animals inhabiting it, such as the Mongolian wild ass, argali, and goitered gazelle. The flora of the reserve is dominated by species typical of arid regions, exhibiting distinct desert characteristics. Rare and endangered wild plants include Gymnocarpos przewalskii, Acantholimon diapensioides, and Pterygiosperma glutinosum. Four plant species listed under Inner Mongolia’s rare and endangered protection list are Reaumuria soongarica, Artemisia desertorum, Brachanthemum gobicum, and Jurinea mongolica. Among mammals, two species are under national first-class protection: the Mongolian wild ass and the argali; five species are under national second-class protection: the goitered gazelle, argali, lynx, Pallas's cat, and desert cat. As for birds, three species are listed under national first-class key protection: the great bustard, MacQueen's bustard, and golden eagle; seven species are under national second-class key protection: the demoiselle crane, common crane, steppe eagle, kite, northern goshawk, cinereous vulture, and common kestrel. Common amphibians and reptiles include the flower-backed toad of the Bufonidae family, and lizards such as the sand lizard and Mongolian sand lizard of the Lacertidae family. The original natural saxaul forests here represent the easternmost distribution of saxaul forests in China, with many trees being several hundred years old. The forest floor is covered with twisted, aged trunks and branches, while young and middle-aged saxauls grow tenaciously in the arid and barren desert — an undisturbed and unpolluted environment that reflects a primitive and ancient natural state. The desert cistanche parasitic on the roots of saxaul is known as the “ginseng of the desert,” and the “nine-headed Cynomorium” is a rare medicinal treasure, both highly valued for their medicinal and economic worth.