Methodology for Landscape Mapping at the Regional Scale
(A Case Study of the Western Region of Mongolia)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5564/mjgg.v62i46.4278Keywords:
Landscape mapping, Spatial analysis, Satellite data, Western regionAbstract
The aim of this study is to systematically identify the landscape types of western Mongolia and to develop a detailed landscape map using a hierarchical classification approach supported by multi-source spatial data. The study employed a combination of traditional geographical survey techniques, remote sensing, geographic information system (GIS)-based spatial analysis, field observations, and statistical modeling. The analysis integrated optical satellite images (Sentinel-2A, Landsat 8, Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS)), Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) digital elevation models, WorldClim climate datasets, and 1:100,000 scale topographic maps. Morphometric parameters, including elevation, slope, and terrain dissection, were combined with bioclimatic indices such as moisture–heat balance, aridity, and biological productivity to characterize the spatial patterns of natural landscapes. Landscapes were classified into four hierarchical levels class, subclass, group-type, and type—capturing both structural and functional attributes of the environment. In total, 16 principal and 46 sub-landscape types were delineated and mapped at a 1:500,000 scale. The dominant landscape categories included true desert (13.84%), desert steppe (13.78%), mountain steppe (11.53%), semi-desert (10.7%), and dry mountain steppe (7.7%). A key strength of this study lies in its integration of both biophysical and anthropogenic factors, ensuring a comprehensive representation of the region’s environmental heterogeneity. The findings provide a scientifically robust basis for land-use planning, ecosystem service evaluation, and sustainable development strategies. Furthermore, the methodology is consistent with the principles of the European Landscape Convention and offers a transferable framework for regional-scale landscape mapping in Mongolia and other dryland environments across Central Asia.
Бүс Нутгийн Түвшинд Ландшафтын Зураглал Үйлдэх Аргазүй: Монгол Орны Баруун Бүсийн Жишээн дээр
ХУРААНГУЙ: Энэхүү судалгааны зорилго нь Монгол орны баруун бүсийн ландшафтын хэв шинжийг оновчтой тодорхойлж, олон эх сурвалжийн орон зайн өгөгдөлд тулгуурласан шаталсан арга зүйгээр ландшафтын зураглал боловсруулахад оршино. Судалгаанд газарзүйн судалгааны уламжлалт бичиглэлийн арга, зайнаас тандан судлалын болон газарзүйн мэдээллийн систем (ГМС)-д суурилсан орон зайн дүн шинжилгээний арга, талбайн ажиглалт болон статистикийн загварчлалыг хослуулсан ашигласан. Түүнчлэн Sentinel-2A, Landsat 8, Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) хиймэл дагуулын мэдээ, Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM)-ийн өндрийн загварын өгөгдөл, WorldClim-ийн уур амьсгалын өгөгдлүүд болон 1:100,000 масштабтай байр зүйн зургийг ашигласан. Морфометрийн (өндөр, хэвгий, хэрчигдэл) болон био-уур амьсгалын (чийг-дулааны тэнцэл, хуурайшилт, биологийн үр ашиг) үзүүлэлтүүдийг ашиглан ландшафтын анги, дэд анги, бүлэг-төрөл, төрөл гэсэн 4 ангиллын түвшинд 16 үндсэн, 46 дэд хэв шинжийг ялган 1:500,000 масштабтай бүс нутгийн ландшафтын зураг боловсруулав. Ландшафтын ангилалд биофизик болон антропоген хүчин зүйлсийг хамтатган системтэй үнэлгээ хийсэн нь энэ ажлын онцлог давуу тал байлаа. Ландшафтын үндсэн хэв шинжүүдэд жинхэнэ цөл (13.84%), цөлжүү хээр (13.78%), уулын хээр (11.53%), хээржүү цөл (10.7%), уулын хуурай хээр (7.7%) зонхилж байв. Судалгааны үр дүн нь бүс нутгийн төлөвлөлт, газар ашиглалт, экосистемийн үйлчилгээний үнэлгээ зэрэг салбарт хэрэглэхүйц шинжлэх ухааны үндэслэлтэй суурь мэдээлэл болж байна. Судалгаанд хэрэглэсэн арга зүй нь Европын ландшафтын конвенцын үзэл баримтлалтай нийцэж, Монгол орны бүс нутгийн түвшний ландшафтын зураглалд өргөн хэрэглэгдэх боломжтой жишиг аргачлал болох боломжтой юм.
Түлхүүр үгс: Ландшафтын зураглал, Орон зайн шинжилгээ, Хиймэл дагуулын мэдээ, Баруун бүс
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