Onon-Balj Biosphere Reserve is situated at the southern edge of the Siberian and boreal coniferous forest, which encompasses the Daurian steppe and the Onon and Balj River basin. Major ecosystem types here include forest, grassland and freshwater, characterized by the vertical landscapes that transition from the Khentii mountain range to taiga/boreal coniferous forest, then to steppe. The biosphere reserve is not only a hotspot for wetlands and water birds, it also abounds in culturally important areas including historical sites related to Chinggis Khan (c. 1162–1227) who founded the Mongol Empire. Part of the biosphere reserve is managed as traditional common land and used for livestock herding by local communities, which also make use of the area for haymaking, vegetable-growing and the collection of non-timber forest products for household use. The biosphere reserve attracts a lot of cultural tourism, while environmentally friendly and community-based ecotourism is also a growing industry.

Upland buzzard, Onon-Balj Biosphere Reserve, Mongolia © Aldarmaa.B

One of the three lakes of Gurvan Nuur, in Dadal, Onon-Balj Biosphere Reserve, Mongolia© Gantulga. B

Herder in Onon-Balj Biosphere Reserve, Mongolia © Gantulga. B

Onon River in Onon-Balj Biosphere Reserve, Mongolia © Aldarmaa.B