Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

A Record Of Antarctic Climate And Ice Sheet History Recovered, T. R. Naish, R. D. Powell, R. H. Levy, F. Florindo, D. M. Harwood, G. Kuhn, F. Niessen, F. Talarico, G. S. Wilson

ANDRILL Research and Publications

Antarctica’s late Cenozoic (the past ~15 million years) climate history is poorly known from direct evidence, owing to its remoteness, an extensive sea ice apron, and an ice sheet cover over the region for the past 34 million years. Consequently, knowledge about the role of Antarctica’s ice sheets in global sea level and climate has relied heavily upon interpretations of oxygen isotope records from deep-sea cores. Whereas these isotopic records have revolutionized our understanding of climate-ice-ocean interactions, questions still remain about the specific role of Antarctic ice sheets in global climate. Such questions can be addressed from geological records at …

Background To The Andrill Mcmurdo Ice Shelf Project (Antarctica) And Initial Science Volume, T. R. Naish, R. D. Powell, R. H. Levy, Andrill-Mis Science Team

ANDRILL Research and Publications

The aim of the McMurdo Ice Shelf (MIS) Project was to obtain a continuous sediment core through approximately ~1 200 metres (m) of Neogene (~0-10 Ma) glacimarine, terrigenous, volcanic, and biogenic sediment that has accumulated in the Windless Bight region of the McMurdo Ice Shelf (Fig. 1). The present-day MIS forms the northwest part of Ross Ice Shelf where it has been pinned by Ross Island for the last ~10 k.y., and is nourished by ice sourced from East Antarctic Ice Sheet (EAIS) outlet glaciers in the southern Transantarctic Mountains (TAM). The drill site was situated above a flexural moat …

Synthesis Of The Initial Scientifi C Results Of The Mis Project (And-1b Core), Victoria Land Basin, Antarctica, T. R. Naish, R. D. Powell, R. H. Levy, S. Henrys, L. Krissek, F. Niessen, M. Pompilio, R. Scherer, G. S. Wilson

ANDRILL Research and Publications

The ANDRILL Program successfully recovered a 1285 m-long succession of cyclic glacimarine sediment with interbedded volcanic deposits in its first season of drilling from the McMurdo Ice Shelf (MIS). The MIS AND-1B drill core represents the longest and most complete (98% recovery) geological record from the Antarctic continental margin to date, and will provide a key reference record of climate and ice-sheet variability through the Late Cenozoic. Here we present a synopsis of this Initial Science Report with emphasis on the potential of the record for improving our knowledge of Antarctica’s influence on global climate.

Using New Tools To Explore Undiscovered Country: Understanding The Stratigraphic And Tectonic History Of Greenhouse To Icehouse Worlds Of Offshore New Harbor, Ross Sea, Antarctica, Stephan Pekar, M. A. Speece, D. M. Harwood, F. Florindo, G. S. Wilson

ANDRILL Research and Publications

The Offshore New Harbor Project will investigate the stratigraphic and tectonic history of westernmost Southern McMurdo Sound. This will be used to address two widely recognized but unresolved issues regarding Antarctica’s history: 1) the mid-Paleogene cryospheric development on Antarctica; and 2) the abrupt climate shift across the Eocene/Oligocene transition. The first step for this project is to collect the requisite seismic and gravity data for identifying future drilling targets for the ANDRILL Program. ANDRILL is a multinational program, with the aim to recover stratigraphic intervals for interpreting Antarctica’s climate and glacial history over the past 50 million years. Offshore New …

Physical Properties Of The And-1b Core, Andrill Mcmurdo Ice Shelf Project, Antarctica, F. Niessen, D. Magens, A. C. Gebhardt

ANDRILL Research and Publications

Whole-core physical properties of the AND-1B sediment core were determined on site for initial core characterisation and correlation with seismic modelling to predict target-reflector depth. This was accomplished by the application of a GEOTEK MSCL (multisensor core logger) from which detected parameters were converted to wet bulk density (WBD), P-wave velocity (Vp), and magnetic susceptibility (MS). Due to difficulties in terms of sensor drift, non-contact resistivity (NCR) data were not processed on site. Standards were logged together with the cores throughout the entire depth range to monitor data quality and demonstrate that no systematic offsets occurred between different core diameters …

Petrology And Geochemistry Of The And-1b Core, Andrill Mcmurdo Ice Shelf Project, Antarctica, M. Pompilio, N. Dunbar, A. C. Gebhardt, D. Helling, G. Kuhn, P. Kyle, R. Mckay, F. Talarico, S. Tulaczyk, S. Vogel, T. Wilch, Andrill-Mis Science Team

ANDRILL Research and Publications

This section reports preliminary data and results on petrology and geochemistry of AND-1B core.

Antarctic Ice Sheet Dynamics Through The Neogene From Evidence In The Andrill–Mcmurdo Ice Shelf Project Drillcore (And-1b), R. D. Powell, T. R. Naish, L. A. Krissek, G. H. Browne, L. Carter, E. A. Cowan, Gavin B. Dunbar, R. M. Mckay, T. Wilch, Andrill-Mis Science Team

ANDRILL Research and Publications

ANDRILL completed its first season in 2006-07 drilling AND-1B through the McMurdo Ice Shelf (MIS) to a depth of 1,285m below the sea floor, a record for Antarctic margin drilling, with 99% recovery. The alternating glacial-interglacial sediment packages interbedded with volcanics provide a uniquely detailed record of Antarctic glacial and climatic change through the Neogene. This paper summarizes the initial characterization of lithofacies and syndepositional structures relevant to understanding the regime and dynamics of past Antarctic ice sheets based on the ANDRILL-MIS Initial Report. Results suggest that the Antarctic Ice Sheet was relatively cold with little basal melting in the …

Preliminary Chronostratigraphy For The Upper 700 M (Upper Miocene – Pleistocene) Of The And-1b Drillcore Recovered From Beneath The Mcmurdo Ice Shelf, Antarctica, G. S. Wilson, R. H. Levy, G. Browne, N. Dunbar, F. Florindo, S. A. Henrys, I. Graham, W. C. Mcintosh, R. M. Mckay, T. R. Naish, C. Ohneiser, R. D. Powell, J. I. Ross, L. Sagnotti, R. P. Scherer, C. Sjunneskog, C. P. Strong, M. Taviani, D. M. Winter, Andrill-Mis Science Team

ANDRILL Research and Publications

Chronostratigraphic data available for the preliminary age model for the upper 700 m for the AND-1B drill core include diatom biostratigraphy, magnetostratigraphy, ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar ages on volcanic material, ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ages on calcareous fossil material, and surfaces of erosion identified from physical appearance and facies relationships recognized in the AND-1B drill core. The available age data allow a relatively well-constrained age model to be constructed for the upper 700 m of the drill core. Available diatom biostratigraphic constraints and ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar ages allow a unique correlation of ~70% of the AND-1B magnetic polarity stratigraphy …

Fracture Logging Of The And-1b Core, Mcmurdo Ice Shelf Project, Antarctica, Terry J. Wilson, T. Paulsen, A. L. Läufer, C. Millan

ANDRILL Research and Publications

Over 4300 natural and induced fractures were logged in AND-1B drill core. Induced fractures include steeply dipping, petal, petal-centreline, and core-edge induced fractures (n=421) which reach a maximum density of 5 fractures/metre. Subhorizontal induced extension fractures are also abundant. Natural fractures (n=1485) occur in Miocene to Pleistocene age strata and include faults, brecciated zones, veins and sedimentary intrusions. Kinematic indicators document dominant normal faulting, although reverse faults are also present. Vein types include slickenfiber veins along faults, opening-mode fibrous veins, pressure shadows on clast margins, and complex microvein webs within fault zones.

Palaeontologic Characterisation And Analysis Of The And-1b Core, Andrill Mcmurdo Ice Shelf Project, Antarctica, R. Scherer, M. Hannah, P. Maffioli, D. Persico, C. Sjunneskog, C. P. Strong, M. Taviani, D. Winter, Andrill-Mis Science Team

ANDRILL Research and Publications

Fossils provide key data sets for the interpretation of the AND-1B core. Calcareous plankton and benthos provide the basis for palaeoenvironmental interpretations of both surface and bottom waters. Calcareous fossils are rare throughout, but occurrences noted are significant. Some calcareous fossils provide potential for age control via ⁸⁶Sr/⁸⁷Sr, and palaeoenvironmental information may come from Mg/Ca ratios as well as oxygen and carbon isotopes. Organic-walled microfossils provide an index of reworking and transport, as well as the identifi cation of a possible in situ Pliocene assemblage of previously unknown marine palynomorphs. Diatoms are abundant in the core, with …

Preliminary Integrated Chronostratigraphy Of The And-1b Core, Andrill Mcmurdo Ice Shelf Project, Antarctica, G. S. Wilson, R. H. Levy, G. Browne, R. Cody, N. Dunbar, F. Florindo, S. Henrys, I. Graham, W. Mcintosh, R. Mckay, T. R. Naish, C. Ohneiser, R. D. Powell, J. Ross, L. Sagnotti, R. Scherer, C. Sjunneskog, C. P. Strong, M. Taviani, D. Winter, Andrill-Mis Science Team

ANDRILL Research and Publications

Chronostratigraphic data available for the preliminary age model for the upper 700 m for the AND-1B drill core include diatom biostratigraphy, magnetostratigraphy, ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar ages on volcanic material, ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ages on calcareous fossil material, and surfaces of erosion identifi ed from physical appearance and facies relationships recognised in the AND-1B drill core. The available age data allow a relatively well-constrained age model to be constructed for the upper 700 m of the drill core. Available diatom biostratigraphic constraints and ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar ages allow a unique correlation of ~70% of the AND- 1B magnetic …

Guide To Participation For The Andrill Southern Mcmurdo Sound Project, Andrill Science Management Office, Mcmurdo-Andrill Science Implementation Committee

ANDRILL Project Information

Purpose of This Document

This document is a guide to participation for Science Team members involved in the Southern McMurdo Sound (SMS) Project of the ANDRILL Program. The document provides the following information: 1) Overview of the ANtarctic geologic DRILLing (ANDRILL) Program; 2) Overview of expected individual involvement in and commitment to the SMS Project; and 3) Logistical information most relevant to onice participants. Information provided in this document will be supplemented by the publication of the SMS Science and Logistics Implementation Plan (SLIP).The SLIP will be available to all SMS ANDRILL participants prior to commencement of drilling.

The reader …

Quo Vadis Equus Hemionus Hemionus In Mongolia?, Annegret Stubbe, Michael Stubbe, O. Shagdarsuren, Nyamsuren Batsaikhan, Ravčigijn Samjaa

Erforschung biologischer Ressourcen der Mongolei / Exploration into the Biological Resources of Mongolia, ISSN 0440-1298

Inspired by studies on biodiversity in the South Gobi we were confronted with the human impact on animal communities and endangered animal species, especially the Asiatic wild ass. So the idea was born to organize an international conference with the aim to actualize the status of Equus hemionus in Central Asia and to find ways for better conservation of this species and its habitats. A short review is given on historical exploration, decreasing area and population number of the Dschiggetai. Today the range of the nominate form of Equus hemionus is located in the Gobi region of southern Mongolia/northern China …

Current Status Of The Khulan (Equus Hemionus) In The Trans-Altai Gobi, Enkhbileg Dulamtseren, Adiya Yadamjav, Dovchindorj Ganbold, Mijidorj Batmunkh

Erforschung biologischer Ressourcen der Mongolei / Exploration into the Biological Resources of Mongolia, ISSN 0440-1298

Since 1975, 25 wildlife surveys have been conducted in the Trans-Altai Gobi. In this paper we summarize results from the last 11 surveys, conducted between October 2000 and April 2005, and discuss our findings together with results from previous surveys.

Comparative Demography And Dietary Resource Partitioning Of Two Wild Ranging Asiatic Equid Populations, Ellen Schulz, Thomas Kaiser, Annegret Stubbe, Michael Stubbe, Ravčigijn Samjaa, Nyamsuren Batsaikhan, Joachim Wussow

Erforschung biologischer Ressourcen der Mongolei / Exploration into the Biological Resources of Mongolia, ISSN 0440-1298

Tooth wear signatures allow inference on the dietary traits of herbivorous ungulates. Comparing dietary regimes of taxonomically closely related populations further allows inference on habitat structure and food availability. The mesowear method of tooth wear evaluation has opened up a pathway to reconstruct subtle differences in dietary behavior and resource partitioning based on skeletal material as the only source of information. Eighty cheek dentitions of Asian wild asses (Equus hemionus) from the Southern Gobi (Mongolia) and 61 dentitions of African free ranging donkeys (Equus asinus) from the Emirate Sharjah (United Arab Emirates) were investigated for their …

Capture And Anaesthesia Of The Mongolian Wild Ass (E. Hemionus), Chris Walzer, Petra Kaczensky, Oogii Ganbaatar, Namtar Enkhsaikhan, Davaa Lkhagvasuren

Erforschung biologischer Ressourcen der Mongolei / Exploration into the Biological Resources of Mongolia, ISSN 0440-1298

Science-based conservation efforts in general and wide-ranging equid conservation specifically, often require capture and subsequent handling of the subject animal. Safe and animal-welfare appropriate wild equid capture and anesthesia is a complex operation necessitating a multitude of skills that require appropriate veterinary training. In order to develop management plans for the Mongolian wild ass (Equus hemionus), which range over vast areas the use of radiotelemetry, is an essential tool. Radio-telemetry allows the researchers to better understand the habitat requirements and to delineate the areas of potential wildlife-human conflicts. To date we have successfully captured 16 wild ass in …

Mapping Khulan Habitats: A Gis-Based Approach, Henrik Von Wehrden, Karsten Wesche

Erforschung biologischer Ressourcen der Mongolei / Exploration into the Biological Resources of Mongolia, ISSN 0440-1298

This paper focuses on the contribution that a combination of public domain GIS data with extensive habitat data can make to Khulan conservation in southern Mongolia. We describe a dataset taken in the Great Gobi 'A' Strictly Protected Area which represents the driest region within the overall Khulan distribution range. Potential habitats were classified following a phyto-sociological approach based on vegetation samples collected in the field. These data are combined with an open source climate model that allowed assessment of the influences of mean precipitation and temperature regime on habitat conditions. The results are put into a Gobi-wide context providing …

Sustainable Natural Resource Use And Livelihood Improvement In South Gobi Protected Areas, J. Jargal

Erforschung biologischer Ressourcen der Mongolei / Exploration into the Biological Resources of Mongolia, ISSN 0440-1298

Many of the species in Gobi are in decline. People and livestock are dependent on scarce water supplies. Consequently, there is a strong competition between wild animals and livestock for water sources, grazing pastures and forage plants. This project assists conservation efforts by working with nomadic herding communities who have critical importance in the future of the Gobi desert ecosystem. Training nomadic herders in ecology, conservation and natural resource use is a unique approach to ecosystem management in Mongolia. Using this approach, the project aims to help herding families establish a sustainable use of natural resources, improve their livelihoods, and …

Morphology, Reproduction And Mortality Of Equus Hemionus Hemionus In Mongolia, Annegret Stubbe, Michael Stubbe, Nyamsuren Batsaikhan

Erforschung biologischer Ressourcen der Mongolei / Exploration into the Biological Resources of Mongolia, ISSN 0440-1298

There are collected materials on morphology, reproduction rate, and mortality of Dschiggetajs Equus h. hemionus between 2001 and 2006 in the South Gobi of Mongolia. It were found 794 skeletons of wild asses, 95% of these were pouched, ⅔ of them in winter coat. Pouching was also located in the protected areas of this region. The main living resources of Equus hemionus are registered in the South eastern Gobi. For the first time statistical data on morphology measurements of body length, tail and tuft, ear length, and hoofs are given. There are no significant differences between the sexes. The reproduction …

Emerging Near-Real Time Forage Monitoring Technology With Application To Large Herbivore Management In Mongolia, Dennis P. Sheehy, Jerry W. Stuth, Douglas E. Johnson, Jay Angerer, Douglas Tolleson

Erforschung biologischer Ressourcen der Mongolei / Exploration into the Biological Resources of Mongolia, ISSN 0440-1298

Large herbivore livestock and wildlife in Mongolia depend almost entirely for substance on forage standing crop produced each year on natural pastureland. Consequently, both livestock and wildlife are continuously subject to environmental risk, especially drought and severe winter storms, while livestock are also subject to financial risk. As consumption-based livestock production changes to commercialized livestock production, steps taken by the livestock herder to avert both environmental and financial risk to livestock can increase environmental risk to large wild herbivores. A realistic and workable pastureland and risk management system will be critical for conservation of large herbivore habitat. New technologies are …

Kiangs (Equus Kiang, Moorcroft 1841) In Sikkim, India, Natalia V. Paklina, Chris Van Orden

Erforschung biologischer Ressourcen der Mongolei / Exploration into the Biological Resources of Mongolia, ISSN 0440-1298

Between the 5^th and 10^th of March 2001 we completed a 450 km route by car in Northern Sikkim. During the trip along the southern slopes of the Himalayas and Sikkim Plateau we didn’t see a single kiang. According to the local people and military personnel in Sikkim, kiangs are known only in the outer limits of the Sikkim Plateau, where wild animals have a possibility to migrate free over the Chinese-Indian border. In winter only small groups of kiang incidentally come to the Sikkim Plateau from South Tibet. But in May more of them come there and …

Some Information On The Ecology Of Khulan (Equus Hemionus Pallas, 1775) In The Western Part Of The South Gobi Province, Mongolia, D. Tsendjav, S. Purevsuren

Erforschung biologischer Ressourcen der Mongolei / Exploration into the Biological Resources of Mongolia, ISSN 0440-1298

This short study provides information on the density and distribution of khulans in September 2003 and speculates about factors that negatively influence the khulan population in the sums of Khurmen, Bayandalai, Noyon, Sevrei, and Gurvantes in the South Gobi province.

Territorial Behaviour Of Kiang (Equus Kiang Moorcroft, 1841) In Ladakh (India), Natalia V. Paklina, Chris Van Orden

Erforschung biologischer Ressourcen der Mongolei / Exploration into the Biological Resources of Mongolia, ISSN 0440-1298

The observations of kiang behavior were made in Navokar Valley northeast of Tso Kar Lake (Ladakh, India) between July 30 and November 22, 2001. In the breeding season (end of July until the end of August) adult kiang males kept not overlapping, protected territories (about 10 km²), and marked by single defecation and urination marks. There were adult females with and without offspring on the territories (up to 12 animals, including the male). The distance between male and females on the territories was usually hundred times bigger, then a distance between stallion and his harem in horses. Females …

Assessment Of Non-Metric Skull Characters And Age Determination In The Asiatic Wild Ass Equus Hemionus: A Methodological Approach, Hermann Ansorge, Annegret Stubbe, Nyamsuren Batsaikhan, Ravčigijn Samjaa, Michael Stubbe

Erforschung biologischer Ressourcen der Mongolei / Exploration into the Biological Resources of Mongolia, ISSN 0440-1298

The report presents the first information on the use of non-metric skull characters and age determination by tooth section for Asiatic wild asses. It was initiated by a collection of more than 400 skulls of the Asiatic wild ass from the Bordzongijn-Gobi 2002-2004. The methodological overview gives a first research prospect in Asiatic Wild Ass concerning the use of non-metric skull characters as a morphological tool for assessing genetic variability, determining epigenetic divergences and evaluating fluctuating asymmetry. The time course of tooth eruption and replacement in the Asiatic wild ass is described with regard to its use for age determination. …

Remarks On The Social System Of The Mongolian Wild Ass (Equus Hemionus Hemionus), Gertrud Neumann-Denzau, Helmut Denzau

Erforschung biologischer Ressourcen der Mongolei / Exploration into the Biological Resources of Mongolia, ISSN 0440-1298

So far the social system of Mongolian wild asses is non-uniformly interpreted. The authors describe their own observations from different parts of Mongolia and review data from available publications. The arguments support a territorial social system, which agrees with the social system of all other wild asses in Asia and Africa.

Population Assessment Of Khulan (Equus Hemionus) In Mongolia, Badamjav Lkhagvasuren

Erforschung biologischer Ressourcen der Mongolei / Exploration into the Biological Resources of Mongolia, ISSN 0440-1298

The data presented here suggest that 18,411 (± 224) khulan inhabit southern Mongolia with a density of 1.4 individuals per 1,000 km² within the 157,525 km² territory of its actual distribution. The Dornogobi province contains the highest number of khulan with a mere 67%, while 20% are found in the Ömnögobi province, 12% are in Djungarian Gobi and only 1% in the Gobi-Altay and Bayankhongor provinces. According to the proportion of foals and yearlings within each aimag, the Dornogobi, Ömnögobi east and Khovd populations have an average reproduction rate.

Semi-Wild Population Of Kulans In The Bukhara Breeding Centre And Their Co-Habitation With Przewalski’S Horses, Karim Bahloul, Olga B. Pereladova, Natalia V. Soldatova, Ekaterina V. Sidorenko, Antoine J. Sempere

Erforschung biologischer Ressourcen der Mongolei / Exploration into the Biological Resources of Mongolia, ISSN 0440-1298

Asiatic wild asses and Przewalski's horses initially inhabited steppe, semi-desert and desert areas, but Przewalski's horses became extinct in the wild, and kulans are under threat of disappearance. The Bukhara Breeding Centre (Uzbekistan) was created in 1976 for conservation and reintroduction of wild ungulate species. In 1977-1978, five kulans (two males and three females) from Barsa-Kelmes Island on the Aral lake were introduced to the reserve. The group increased to 25-30 animals in 1995-1998, when five Przewalski's horses from Moscow and St. Petersburg zoos were introduced to the same territory. We analyzed the home ranges, preferred habitats and social interactions …

Up-Date On The Behaviour And Status Of The Critically Endangered Onager, Equus Hemionus Onager, From Iran, Laurent Tatin, Bijan F. Darreh-Shoori, Christophe Tourenq, David Tatin, Bijan Azmayesh

Erforschung biologischer Ressourcen der Mongolei / Exploration into the Biological Resources of Mongolia, ISSN 0440-1298

The onager, Equus hemionus onager, an Asiatic wild ass endemic to Iran, is categorized as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List. Its biology and conservation requirements are poorly documented. We report some observations made in 1997 and 2000 on the behavior and ecology of the two remaining populations, located in the Touran Protected Area and the Bahram-e-Goor Reserve. Recent population counts by the Department of Environment of Iran (471 in the Protected Area, and 96 in the Reserve) are markedly lower than the count of 600-770 made in the 1970s in the Touran Protected Area. We observed social …

Asiatic Wild Asses In The Literature: What Do We Need To Know Now?, Sarah R.B. King

Erforschung biologischer Ressourcen der Mongolei / Exploration into the Biological Resources of Mongolia, ISSN 0440-1298

Asiatic wild asses were once found across central Asia, but over time their range has been reduced until today all subspecies are under threat. This paper examined the literature about wild asses with an aim to illustrating gaps in our knowledge as a target for future research.

A search was made on BIOSIS ISI for the following strings: Equus hemionus, wild ass, khulan, kulan, kiang, khur, and onager. In total 61 relevant references were found, published between 1900 and 2005. Most of these references were published in the 1990s, with only one published between 1900 and 1970. Khur and …

Kulan (Equus Hemionus Pallas 1775) In Turkmenistan, Victor S. Lukarevskiy, Yu. K. Gorelov

Erforschung biologischer Ressourcen der Mongolei / Exploration into the Biological Resources of Mongolia, ISSN 0440-1298

The kulan (Equus hemionus kulan) is the only odd-toed ungulate left in the wild in northern Eurasia. In the 1930s, the kulan survived in southern Turkmenistan only. In the 1940s, kulans were found only in an area named Badkhyz in Turkmenistan. To conserve the last natural population of this subspecies of kulan the Badkhyz Natural Reserve was established in 1941. The historical and contemporary distribution, fluctuation in numbers, conservation and sci research of kulan populations in the Badkhyz Natural reserve are reviewed in this paper.