Background There is a plentiful amount of local knowledge on plants hidden in the literature of foreign exploration to China in modern history. Mongolia and Amdo and the Dead City of Khara-Khoto (MAKK) is an expedition record on the sixth scientific expedition to northwestern China (1907–1909) initiated by P. K. Kozlov (1863–1935), a famous Russian Central Asian explorer. Used as a non-professional biology book, MAKK contains some botanical knowledge. The information noted down over more than 100 years ago is about the traditional knowledge of the Mongolian folks lived on the Mongolian plateau and the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau for the understanding and utilization of plants, which is of a highlighted function for the study of the botany and the history of science and technology. We therefore have carried on relevant collation, analysis, investigation and criticism to Mongolian local knowledge on plants in MAKK, and obtained the status quo of these local knowledge. Methods The authors used the literature research method to sort and compare the two versions of MAKK, separating out the Mongolian local knowledge about plant naming and utilization. Then, these contents were verified through literature textual method and were catalogued according to the method of ethnobotany. Based on these, the authors carried out field investigations along with Kozlov’s expedition routes in Alxa in 2019 and 2020, respectively. The methods of key informants interview, snowball sampling, and rational sampling were all used in field investigations. By analyzing the interview data of 34 key informants, we obtained the status quo of local knowledge recorded in MAKK. Results By means of regulation and research, it is found that Mongolian plant folk names of one genus and eight species were recorded in MAKK. Their morphological characteristics and traditional grazing knowledge are crucial naming basis. There are three types on the structures of Mongolian plant name: simple primary name, complex primary name, and secondary name. Corresponding relations between Mongolian folk name and scientific name are existed in “one-to-one,” “multitude-to-one,” and “one-to-multitude” forms. The classification of certain plants by Mongolian people has reached the level of species or varieties. In addition, the Mongols’ usage for nine species of plants was noted in MAKK. These plants are mainly used for edible, graziery, fuelwood, building material, toponym, and belief. With the development and change of the society, it is found that some utilization methods have been replaced or even disappeared, while the remainders still continue to be applied. Conclusions Firstly, the Mongols have indigenous rules and systems for nominating and classifying plants. Secondly, the Mongolian local knowledge on plants possesses multiform character. Thirdly, the Mongolian local knowledge on plants and Mongolian culture have mutual influence and interdependence relationship. Fourthly, the Mongolian local knowledge on plants urgently needs to be protected in many forms. Finally, it is veritable and reliable for the records of Mongolian botanical local knowledge in MAKK by textual research, and it is valuable for scientific research. The historical notes more than 100 years ago are not only supply dependable information and momentous historical data for Mongolian ethnobotany and Chinese minority science and technology history research, but also offer references for ecology, flora, and botanical history study.

Background: Mongolia and Amdo and the Dead City of Khara-Khoto (MAKK) represents an expedition note by Pyotr Kuz’mich Kozlov (1863-1935), a famous Russian Central Asian explorer, completed after his expedition to northwestern China during 1907 and 1909. Although the record note lacks a professional adequacy on measures of zoology research, some valuable information of local knowledge on animals (MLKA) were recorded. These local knowledge provide valuable reference to the study of ethnozoology and history of science and technology among ethnic minorities in China.Method: The current study referenced the two Russian editions of MAKK (1923 and 1948) as research materials and collated, textualed, and analyzed the MLKA records through the methods such as textual research, zoological classification, comparison, and interview. Since the MLKA is mainly concentrated in Alxa and its adjacent areas, we conducted field surveys and interviews in two separate visits during 2019 and 2020, following precisely Kozlov’s exploration routes in Alxa more than a century ago. The methods including key informants interview, snowball sampling, and rational sampling were used in the interviews. By investigating evidences and analyzing the interview data of 33 key informants, our field work re-verified the MLKA in MAKK and obtained its concurrent situation in the above destinations.Result: According to textual research, the MLKA records included in MAKK contain a description of 23 species, belonging to 14 families and 21 genera. The local knowledge mainly consists of the naming, utilization, and wildlife preservation by the Mongolian community. Corresponding relations between Mongolian folk name and scientific name are existed in “one-to-one”, “multitude-to-one” and “one-to-multitude” forms. There are three types on the structures of animals’ Mongolian names: simple primary name, complex primary name, and secondary name. Animals’ morphological characteristics, living habits, and Mongolian traditional grazing experience are crucial naming basis. The utilization of animals by the Mongols mainly includes diet, textile, accessory, transportation, instrument, toponym, and weather forecast. Moreover, the Mongols mainly rely on folk beliefs and official decrees for wildlife protection. Field work indicates that much of this knowledge is still preserved among local folks, but some are becoming unattainable due to population aging and lesser frequent use nowadays.Conclusion: (a) The naming methods of Mongolian for animals are of high scientific and practical value. The Mongols probably have indigenous naming rules and classifying systems for animals. (b) The MLKA possesses a multiform character and interacts with Mongolian culture. (c) Mongolian knowledge of thoughts and measures on preserving animal resources include high value culturally and practically. (d) The 100-year-old historical notes supply reliable information and meaningful historical data for the studies on ethnozoology and the history of science and technology of China’s ethnic minorities, along with offering references for Mongolian Plateau’s fauna and history of zoology researches.