World Heritage Identification Number: 769
World Heritage since: 2003
Category: Natural Heritage
WHE Type: Natural Landscapes & Geographic Features
Transboundary Heritage: Yes
Endangered Heritage: No
Country: Mongolia, Russian Federation
Continent: Asia, Europe
UNESCO World Region: Asia and the Pacific,Europe and North America
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Uvs Nuur Basin: A Biodiverse Oasis in Central Asia
The Uvs Nuur Basin, inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2003, is a vast, biologically diverse region spanning over 1,068,853 hectares. This expansive basin, straddling the borders of Mongolia and Tuva, a republic within the Russian Federation, is a unique microcosm of the Central Asian landscape. Named after the Uvs Nuur Lake, a significant body of water within the basin, this region holds immense ecological, cultural, and historical value.
More to come…UNESCO Description of the World Heritage Site
The Uvs Nuur Basin (1,068,853 ha), is the northernmost of the enclosed basins of Central Asia. It takes its name from Uvs Nuur Lake, a large, shallow and very saline lake, important for migrating birds, waterfowl and seabirds. The site is made up of twelve protected areas representing the major biomes of eastern Eurasia. The steppe ecosystem supports a rich diversity of birds and the desert is home to a number of rare gerbil, jerboas and the marbled polecat. The mountains are an important refuge for the globally endangered snow leopard, mountain sheep (argali) and the Asiatic ibex.
UNESCO Justification of the World Heritage Site
Criterion (ix): The remote and enclosed salt lake system of Uvs Nuur with its high degree of naturalness is of international scientific importance due to its large-scale undisturbed climatic, hydrological and ecological processes and phenomena. Because of the relatively stable past and contemporary pastoral use of the grasslands and the absence of conversion or major human impacts over thousands of years, it constitutes a unique field site for a great variety of subjects, including research into the ongoing development of Uvs Nuur and other smaller lakes within the basin, and the still intact processes of long term lake salinisation and eutrophication. In addition to important past and current research efforts on both sides of the border and in recognition of its unique geophysical and biological characteristics, the Uvs Nuur Basin has also been selected as a field site for the International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme (IGPB), a global effort to monitor and understand global change.
Criterion (x): The serial property conserves the most valuable areas representing the much larger Uvs Nuur Basin, across an enormous range of ecosystems and habitats, including along a major altitudinal gradient. The diversity represents the major biomes of Central Asia with a corresponding floral and faunal diversity. There are important areas of different forest types and highly specialized vegetation in high altitudes, tundra systems and dry land ecosystems, including species and communities adapted to saline conditions. The more than 550 higher plants include relict species and a number of plants endemic to Mongolia and the Tuva Republic, with five species endemic to the lake basin. The various ecosystems support a rich faunal diversity, such as the argali sheep, Siberian ibex, Pallas's cat and the elusive and globally endangered snow leopard. The numerous rodents are of major ecological importance and include two vulnerable jerboa species and gerbil. The many ecological niches are occupied by an impressive density of breeding raptors. The property is also of major importance for waterfowl, as well as a stepping stone in the bird migration between Siberia and wintering ranges in China and South Asia.
Encyclopedia Record: Uvs Lake Basin
Uvs Lake Basin is an endorheic basin located on the territorial border of Mongolia and Tuva, a republic of the Russian Federation. The basin is part of the Central Asian Internal Drainage Basin and is named after Uvs Lake, a large saline lake situated in the western part of its drainage basin, and is one of the last remnants of the mammoth steppes. Uvs Lake is a shallow lake with an area of 3,350 km2 (1,290 sq mi). Its entire basin, which includes several smaller lakes, is 70,000 km2 (27,000 sq mi).Additional Site Details
Area: 898,063.5 hectares
Number of Components: 12
(x) — Contains most important habitats for biodiversity
Coordinates: 50.275 , 92.71972222
IUCN World Heritage Outlook
The 2025 Conservation Outlook on Uvs Nuur Basin reports the following assessment:
Source: International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) · View assessment
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World Heritage Research
Discover scientific research and academic studies that deepen our understanding of Uvs Nuur Basin from its history and significance to its conservation, management, and contemporary challenges.
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The Properties of Agriculture-Related Objects in Arid Regions in Northwest Mongolia and the Tyva Border Areas
Research in the Uvs Nuur Basin, Northwest Mongolia, reveals evidence of a previously unrecognized ancient agricultural civilization thriving in arid regions. Contrary to prior assumptions, the study identifies extensive irrigation systems, settlement traces, and distinct agricultural landscapes, suggesting significant anthropogenic impact on the environment. Using satellite imagery analysis, landscape observations, archaeological, geological, and historical methods, along with paleogeographic assessments, the research highlights wheat caryopses in peat soils, indicating past agricultural activity. The findings underscore the need for further investigation into the region's ancient history and environmental transformation, particularly regarding deforestation, overgrazing, and landscape desertification.
Prudnikova, T. N. (2022). The Properties of Agriculture-Related Objects in Arid Regions in Northwest Mongolia and the Tyva Border Areas. Arid Ecosystems, 12(4), 462–472. https://doi.org/10.1134/s2079096122040175
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Coprophilous Fungi as an Indicator of Grazing Pressure and Population Density in the Uvs Nuur Basin (Mongolia) over the Past Three Millennia
A groundbreaking study reveals that spores of coprophilous fungi, preserved in lake sediments, serve as a reliable indicator for reconstructing human population density and grazing pressure over millennia, independent of climate fluctuations. Researchers analyzed spore concentrations from Lake Bayan Nuur in Mongolia's Uvs Nuur Basin, focusing on two fungal genera: Sporormiella and Sordaria. The findings demonstrate a strong correlation between historical population records and spore abundance, suggesting these fungi as robust proxies for tracking livestock-based societies. No link was found between spore levels and climate change, reinforcing their utility as standalone indicators. This approach offers a novel method for paleoecological reconstructions in regions with limited historical data.
Rudaya, N. A., Soenov, V. I.,. (2021). Coprophilous Fungi as an Indicator of Grazing Pressure and Population Density in the Uvs Nuur Basin (Mongolia) over the Past Three Millennia. Problems of Archaeology, Ethnography, Anthropology of Siberia and Neighboring Territories, 27, 615–623. https://doi.org/10.17746/2658-6193.2021.27.0615-0623
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The effect of temperature fields on soil and plant cover formation in arid ecosystems of the Uvs Nuur basin
Research in the Uvs Nuur Basin reveals that temperature fields, analyzed through combined surface and satellite data, can effectively identify structural and functional boundaries of soil cover in arid ecosystems. The study quantifies temperature regimes in psammophytic soils, demonstrating their influence on hydrophysical properties and phytomass stocks in the sand massif Zuger-Els. By integrating field and remote monitoring, scientists established functional relationships between energy flux, matter circulation, and plant productivity, providing a methodological foundation for future ecological studies.
Kudryashova, S. Y., Chumbaev, A. S., Mironycheva-Tokareva, N. P., & Kurbatskaya, S. S. (2021). The effect of temperature fields on soil and plant cover formation in arid ecosystems of the Uvs Nuur basin. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 817(1), 12051. https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/817/1/012051
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The link between climate change and biodiversity of lacustrine inhabitants and terrestrial plant communities of the Uvs Nuur Basin (Mongolia) during the last three millennia
A three-millennia reconstruction of biodiversity and climate in the Uvs Nuur Basin (Mongolia) reveals that the region's plant, chironomid, and Cladocera communities responded strongly to shifts in precipitation and temperature. The study found that the most humid period occurred between 1400–1800 CE during the Little Ice Age, with higher biodiversity, while the Medieval Warm Period (650–1350 CE) was marked by aridity and lower diversity. Unlike other taxa, diatoms showed no direct correlation with climate factors. The research also found that dung fungi in lake sediments did not align with historical human presence or climate changes, suggesting their potential use in assessing herbivore density. This work highlights the vulnerability of high-biodiversity regions to climate change and provides a baseline for understanding long-term ecological dynamics.
Rudaya, N., Nazarova, L., Frolova, L., Palagushkina, O., Soenov, V., Cao, X., Syrykh, L., Grekov, I., Otgonbayar, D., & Bayarkhuu, B. (2021). The link between climate change and biodiversity of lacustrine inhabitants and terrestrial plant communities of the Uvs Nuur Basin (Mongolia) during the last three millennia. The Holocene, 31(9), 1443–1458. https://doi.org/10.1177/09596836211019093
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Analysis of Changes in Vegetation Cover for Northern Part of Uvs Nuur Basin
A significant 80% reduction in cultivated land area has been observed in the northern part of the Uvs Nuur Basin over the past three decades, with steppe vegetation encroaching upon abandoned arable lands. This transformation, driven by desertification processes, is characterized by a decline in meadows and an expansion of dry and desert steppes, marked by increased shrub presence, notably Caragana Bunge. The study utilized Landsat-5 and Landsat-8 satellite imagery from 1988 and 2019, processed with the SMAP classification method in GRASS GIS, to analyze vegetation changes across nine identified land units within the Russian part of the basin, covering approximately 19,500 km². The findings highlight ongoing ecological shifts in this arid, continental climate region, bordering Tuva and Mongolia.
Golubyatnikov, L. L., Zarov, E. A.,. (2020). ANALYSIS OF CHANGES IN VEGETATION COVER FOR NORTHERN PART OF UVS NUUR BASIN. Ecology. Economy. Informatics.System Analysis and Mathematical Modeling of Ecological and Economic Systems, 1(5), 111–114. https://doi.org/10.23885/2500-395x-2020-1-5-111-114
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On Ancient Agriculture in Arid Regions of Central Asia: The Case of the Uvs Nuur Basin
A groundbreaking discovery reveals that the Uvs Nuur Basin, a vast arid region in southern Siberia and Central Asia, once supported extensive agriculture during the High Middle Ages. Satellite imagery uncovered dense irrigation networks and previously unknown ancient settlements, including what appears to be an ancient city surrounded by canals on the west coast of Lake Uvs Nuur. Field studies confirmed these findings, documenting remnants of irrigation systems, ruins, and settlements. Paleobotanical analysis of buried soils and peatlands identified Triticum sp. seeds, suggesting that the basin's current arid landscape was once a milder forest-steppe environment conducive to agriculture. Radiocarbon dating tentatively places the city's existence in this period, indicating a significant historical shift from pastoralism to agriculture.
Prudnikova, T. N. (2018). ON ANCIENT AGRICULTURE IN ARID REGIONS OF CENTRAL ASIA: THE CASE OF THE UVS NUUR BASIN. Archaeology, Ethnology & Anthropology of Eurasia, 46(1), 66–75. https://doi.org/10.17746/1563-0110.2018.46.1.066-075
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Grasshoppers of the genus Podismopsis (Orthoptera, Acrididae) in Altay and description of acoustic signals of Podismopsis altaica from cluster Mongun-Taiga of the State Nature Biosphere Reserve «Uvs Nuur Basin»
Research reveals distinct acoustic signals and habitat preferences between two grasshopper species, Podismopsis altaica and P. poppiusi, in the Altai Mountains of Russia's Uvs Nuur Basin UNESCO World Heritage Site. The study describes for the first time the calling signal of P. altaica, highlighting that its repetition period shortens under lower temperatures compared to P. poppiusi. Additionally, the species inhabit different elevations: P. altaica thrives in alpine zones, while P. poppiusi favors meadows and meadow-steppes. These differences prevent close contact between their populations, suggesting ecological segregation. The findings were derived from field observations within the Mongun-Taiga cluster of the Uvs Nuur Basin Biosphere Reserve.
Benediktov, Alexander А. (2017). Grasshoppers of the genus Podismopsis (Orthoptera, Acrididae) in Altay and description of acoustic signals of Podismopsis altaica from cluster Mongun-Taiga of the State Nature Biosphere Reserve «Uvs Nuur Basin». Nature Conservation Research, 2(Suppl. 2). https://doi.org/10.24189/ncr.2017.028
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Results of Long-Term (2006-2016) Avian Influenza Surveillance in Wild Birds of Uvs Nuur Lake
Long-term avian influenza surveillance at Lake Uvs Nuur, a key Northern Eurasian site, reveals its critical role as a reservoir for the preservation and evolution of influenza A virus in wild bird populations. The study, spanning 2006-2016, analyzed highly pathogenic H5N1 circulation and molecular epidemiology using phylogenetic analysis (MEGA 5.2 software) to construct genetic distance matrices via the Kimura two-parameter method. Findings highlight the biogeocoenose's significance for viral dynamics, emphasizing the need for continued ecological and virological monitoring to assess epidemic and pandemic potential of novel strains.
Shestopalov, A. M., Sharshov, K. A., Varkentin, A. V., Yushkov, Y. G., Leonov, S. V., Galkina, I. V., Archimaeva, T. G., Irza, V. N., Shchelkanov, M. Yu., Gadzhiev, A. А., & Magomedova, M. Z. (2016). RESULTS OF LONG-TERM (2006-2016) AVIAN INFLUENZA SURVEILLANCE IN WILD BIRDS OF UVS NUUR LAKE. South of Russia: Ecology, Development, 11(3), 106–119. https://doi.org/10.18470/1992-1098-2016-3-106-119
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Introduced semiaquatic mammals in the Uvs Nuur Hollow (Current distribution and ecological vectors of naturalization)
Research reveals that the success of introduced semiaquatic mammals—muskrat, American mink, and Eurasian beaver—in the Uvs Nuur Basin hinges on trophic niche availability rather than postintroduction history or abiotic factors. Herbivorous species like the beaver, with access to stable food resources, exhibit greater adaptive success in this harsh, continental climate compared to carnivorous counterparts. The study highlights behavioral adaptations, such as the evolutionary stability of the beaver's building instinct, which facilitates colonization. While all three species occupy similar geographic ranges, their population trends and ecological impacts vary significantly, underscoring the critical role of trophic niche diversity in naturalization processes.
Saveljev, A. P., Shar, S., Scopin, A. E., Otgonbaatar, M., Soloviev, V. A., Putincev, N. I., & Lhamsuren, N. (2015). Introduced semiaquatic mammals in the Uvs Nuur Hollow (Current distribution and ecological vectors of naturalization). Russian Journal of Biological Invasions, 6(1), 37–50. https://doi.org/10.1134/s2075111715010051
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