THE KHULAN, AN ESSENTIAL SPECIES IN GOBI RANGELANDS
An Ecosystem engineer species, digging water holes to access to water
The Mongolian Khulan is locally known for its ability to dig holes at dry water points and riverbeds to access to underground water, then creating some kind of "wells" or "watering holes" from which they can drink. This very specific behavior is mostly observed during the dry seasons of the year where in the Gobi Desert replenishment of water points depends on rainfall.
A behavioral adaptation: In order to adapt to the dry seasons and the lack of open water points and sources in the Gobi Desert as a result of climate change, the Mongolian Khulan has developed this very specific behavior to dig holes of different sizes and depth at dry water sources to access water located underground.
The Khulan's adaptation to drought benefits other Gobi species!
These precious "watering holes" created by Mongolian Khulans are also used by other species: wild species but also domestic species, to access to water and drink.
The photos above as well as the two videos below have been captured by trail cameras Anne-Camille Souris and Goviin Khulan's local citizen scientists did set up in our study area from 2013 to 2020 (Copyright Association GOVIIN KHULAN)
The other ecosystem services provided by the Khulan
The Khulan, a migratory species with a nomadic pattern of movement
By protecting the Khulan which migrates on very long distances (they can migrate over 70,000 square kilometers in a year), it helps protecting a large range of lands and therefore a large amount of Gobi species sharing the same habitat.
Khulans help other species access to vegetation
