Why the Daurian Steppe is a critical sanctuary for migratory wildlife across two nations

Countries & Cities · Published 29 September 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Spanning the border between Russia and Mongolia, the Landscapes of Dauria represent a vast, interconnected ecosystem of forest steppe. This World Heritage Site serves as a vital refuge for diverse species, including the Mongolian gazelle, known locally as the dzeren, within a complex network of protected nature reserves and lake clusters.

The Landscapes of Dauria constitute a unique transboundary World Heritage Site that bridges the territories of Russia and Mongolia. This region is a defining component of the broader Daurian forest steppe ecoregion, which extends further into northeastern China. The site is managed through the Dauria International Protected Area, a collaborative framework designed to preserve the integrity of this expansive landscape and its associated biodiversity.

Central to this protected area are several distinct zones, including the Daursky State Nature Biosphere Reserve in Russia and the Mongol Daguur Biosphere Reserve in Mongolia. These areas encompass a variety of habitats, ranging from forest steppe zones to significant water bodies like the Torey Lakes and the Chuh-Nuur Lake cluster. The inclusion of the Valley of Dzeren Nature Refuge highlights the importance of the region for the Mongolian gazelle, or dzeren, which relies on these vast, open spaces for survival.

The scale of protection is substantial, with individual reserves covering hundreds of thousands of hectares. For instance, the Mongol Daguur Specially Protected Nature Area alone spans over 580,000 hectares, complemented by an extensive buffer zone. These buffer zones are essential for maintaining ecological stability, providing a transition between core protected habitats and surrounding lands. By integrating these diverse sites, the international partnership aims to safeguard the migratory routes and breeding grounds that define the Daurian ecosystem.

Despite the formal recognition and international cooperation, the region remains a complex landscape where environmental management must balance conservation with the natural fluctuations of the steppe. The site's status as a World Heritage area underscores its global significance, not only for its unique flora and fauna but also for its role as a living laboratory for understanding the dynamics of forest steppe environments in a changing world.

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