Travelogue Western Mongolia 2007
Region visited:
As in 2003, the Great Lake Basin around Khovd, Western Mongolia, was visited.
Sampling activities:
The time of the trip – late in the season – was chosen with the aim to collect and document late-flowering species especially of the Chenopodiaceae (goosefoot family) and the genus Artemisia (sages). During a 12 day field trip about 300 species of vascular plants were documented with approx. 350 herbarium collections (K.-F. Günther, Herbarium Haussknecht, Jena and M. Schnittler). Especially for sages, the growth form was carefully documented, since this character allows to distinguish three well-separated groups in that genus: annual species, and perennial ones with and without the capability to form root suckers. Additionally, out of more than 5000 shots about 2000 digital images of the plants in living condition were selected (M. Schnittler). More than 15 species of Artemisia, and about 20 species of Chenopodiaceae belonging to 11 genera were found and described in several life stages from seedlings over vegetative to adult plants. Especially for Chenopodiaceae, flowers and seeds/fruits in different stages, from growing to mature, were documented to allow a safe recognition of sterile or flowering plants which cannot be determined using the keys in traditional determination books that focus usually on seed/fruit morphology.
Infrastructure:
For help with organizing this trip we are indepted to our Mongolian partners from Khovd University, especially Dr. Oyuun Damdinsurengiyn. We also owe thanks to the team of the joint Russian-Mongolian Expeditions, headed by Prof. Dr. Peter D. Gunin, for its generous hospitality in Ulaanbaatar. Most of the collecting for this trip was carried out by Dr. K.-F. Günther, Herbarium Haussknecht, Friedrich-Schiller University Jena, who agreed as well to assist with the subsequent determination work for the collections.
Time:
August 23 to September 11, 2007
Participants:
M. Schnittler, A. Zemmrich, K.F.-Günther
text by: M. Schnittler
Images: