The estimation and mapping of water yield are of significant importance to the effective planning and management of water resources in Mongolia. In this study, we quantified and assessed the water yield of the Upper Tuul River basin using the Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Tradeoffs (InVEST) Water yield model. The study aimed to test whether it is possible to estimate the water yield of the selected research area using the model. The required input data included land use and land cover, mean annual precipitation and potential evapotranspiration, soil depth, and plant available water content. In addition, those data were obtained from Landsat 8, Climate Hazards Group Infrared Precipitation with Station data (CHIRPS), MODIS Global Terrestrial Evapotranspiration Product (MOD16), and International Soil Reference and Information Centre (ISRIC) database. Finally, we generated spatial distribution maps, namely, mean actual evapotranspiration (mm), mean water yield (mm), and the volume of water yield (km3) by pixel within the research area. According to the modelling results, the estimated value for mean annual precipitation was 295.08 mm, and 827.09 mm respectively for potential evapotranspiration, 229.13 mm for average actual evapotranspiration, 55.89 mm and 0.43 km3 for water yield within the study area. The result was slightly higher (15.1 mm) in terms of mean actual evapotranspiration compared to the results of previous studies, conducted in the same research area, and it was found that the potential water yield in the study area has also been impacted. However, the InVEST (Water Yield) model can be used for future research studies concerning water yield and resource in river basins as it is possible to further improve the model results by using in-situ measurement data and satellite products with high spatial accuracy as input data.

The eco-geomorphological analysis includes the impact assessment of relief under various ecosystem conditions in as much relief has various ecological roles, both direct and indirect. Rising elevation above sea level is mostly influenced by climate indirectly leading to reduced air pressure, oxygen deficiency, reduction of air temperature, excessive solar radiation, and creation of strong wind. The depth of relief dissection of the bumpy surface of mountainous areas created by floods and mudflows, and the depth of the bumpy surface increases energy consumption and poses risks during mountain climbing, and also has negative economic implications if economic activities are undertaken in such terrain. On the other hand, mountainous landscapes have a specific impact on human well-being and also have considerable potential for promoting tourism. Although, in the steppe environment, relief dissection increases the unique features of the landscape and increases the potential of tourism in other respects, however, it is assessed negatively to a large extent. The nature of corelationship between and the interdependence of the terrestrial surface and population, terrestrial surface and livestock, terrestrial surface and agriculture, which are significant in the study into the inter-relationship between environment and human society, was assessed and determined , and the relevant conclusion was drawn.

The landscape contains a variety of different potentials that can perform socio-economic and ecological functions, since landscapes are surface patterns that differ in appearance, environmental components, and their spatial distribution and location. The natural resource potential of the landscape refers to the ability of a landscape to provide society with the raw materials and natural resources, which are required for manufacturing products in the society. The natural resource potential of the landscape can be estimated based on mineral resources, forest resources, agricultural production resources, hunting, and tourism or recreation resources. The purpose of this research was to evaluate the natural resource potential of the landscape based on agricultural production resources. This research was carried out with combined methodology, which involved market price method that was used for assessing agricultural production resources with a GIS-based analytical hierarchy process that was used for developing the potential assessment. The analysis of the spatial distribution map of the natural resource potential of the landscape showed that 41.0 per cent of the area studied had “average” potential, while 34.8 per cent had “low” potential and 19.4 per cent had “high” potential. However, only 2.3 per cent of the area had “very high” potential in terms of potential assessment, whereas, almost the same amount of area (2.5%) was assessed as with “very low” potential. Evaluating the natural resource potential of the landscape, based on agricultural production resources, is important as fundamental information for further research, such as developing a concept of regional economic development and evaluating ecosystem services.

No abstract