• Journal of Species Research
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.159-166
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• 2013

Typical of large, oligotrophic lakes, Lake H$\ddot{o}$vsg$\ddot{o}$l, Mongolia, exhibits complex morphometry which should support a spatially heterogeneous community of benthic macroinvertrates. The lake also exhibits a broad range of land uses. Based on the variation in land use and complex physical habitat of the lake (e.g. substrate variation and presence of affluent streams in bays), we asked two questions. First, does density of total benthic macroinvertebrates vary between different bays in Lake H$\ddot{o}$vsg$\ddot{o}$l? Second, does density of individual benthic taxa vary by bay? Samples collected in 1997, the last year for benthic sampling of the lake, were designed to test for variation in macroinvertebrate density between bays and can now be used to establish baseline variation in density for future studies. A total of 56 Ponar grab samples were analyzed from six bays in Lake H$\ddot{o}$vsg$\ddot{o}$l. Results of a general linear model analysis of variance showed that total density of macroinvertebrates varied only slightly between bays of the lake, but that most individual taxa showed significant variation between bays. Variation in density for most taxa was linked to substrate composition rather than other geographic or physical variables in the lake. Recent increases in grazing intensity and ecotourism along the shores should be managed to reduce the nutrient load into the lake to avoid impairment of the benthic biota of this unique, ancient ecosystem.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.289-298
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• 2010

A number of characteristics of the Lake H$\ddot{o}$vsg$\ddot{o}$l watershed, such as the lake's location at the edge of the Central Asian continuous permafrost zone, provide a unique opportunity to evaluate possible anthropogenic impacts in this remote area in northern Mongolia. In this study, we compared stream solute concentrations in six sub-watersheds in the Lake H$\ddot{o}$vsg$\ddot{o}$l watershed. Water samples were collected during the summer months between 2003 and 2005. Concentrations of $Cl^-$ ranged from 9.8 to $51.3\;{\mu}mol/L$; average nitrate concentrations were very low and ranged from undetectable to $1.1\;{\mu}mol/L$ and average ${SO_4}^{2-}$ concentration at sampling stations with minimal animal grazing ranged from 66 to $294\;{\mu}mol/L$. Average dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentrations ranged from 642 to $1,180\;{\mu}mol$ C/L. We did not find statistically significant differences in DOC concentrations among the six streams, although DOC concentrations tended to be higher in the two northernmost streams, possibly related to differences in the active layer above the permafrost. Dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) concentrations were correlated with DOC concentration, and followed the same spatial pattern as those for DOC. In streams in this remote watershed, total dissolved nitrogen was made up of mostly organic N, as has been found for other regions distant from anthropogenic N sources. Overall, these results suggest that future research on the dynamics of DOC and DON in this watershed will be especially insightful in helping to understand how changes in climate and land use patterns will affect transformations, retention, and export of dissolved organic matter within these sub-watersheds in the Lake H$\ddot{o}$vsg$\ddot{o}$l region.