All chapters:

Introduction

Climate

Waters and water management

Ecosystems and ecoregions

Species diversity and use of biological resources

Nature conservation: econet and protected areas

Countries & cultures

Economy

Land use

International policy

The magnificent valleys of Onon Dauria, where Genghis was proclaimed as the Khan of Khans, still retain their primeval spirit.  Dozens of places in what’s now Russia, Mongolia and China continue to claim the title to the birthplace and\or last retreat of the warrior and these countries are interconnected by the mysterious “Wall of Genghis” that dissects the region for several hundred kilometers.  More than eight centuries after Genghis Khan died, the debate continues to smolder over the real birthplace and the location of the grave of the ancient warrior who ruled over one of the largest empires in history.  After his death at the age of 65, Genghis was buried by generals who went to extraordinary lengths to conceal the grave.  Every one of the 2,000 people who attended his funeral was reportedly massacred by 800 soldiers, who in turn were killed to ensure his rest was undisturbed.

The foothills of Henty Mountains in Henti Aimag of Mongolia in the Onon-Balj National Park are believed to be the most likely birthplace and burial place of Genghis Khan.  His birthplace is thought to be at Dadal Soum, an attractive wooded area in Northwest Hentii region, while town of Batshireet in Khentii Province, 200 miles northeast of the capital, Ulan Bator, is one of likely locations of his tomb.

Dauria split between Mongolia, China and Russia constitutes one of the best-preserved examples of Eurasian grassland and this region continues to support huge populations of larger migratory vertebrates.  It is also an important breeding and stopover site for millions of birds on several Asian flyways.  Dauria is the only part of Amur River Basin where native peoples continue to use local resources as part of a nomadic lifestyle; perhaps this is a tribute to Gengis Khan.  
Some hill slopes and river banks support dense forest vegetation, but other areas have savanna-like forest-steppe that is characterized by crooked elms that are sparsely distributed over the dominant grassland.  However non-forested steppe covers greater even expanses. Steppe and forest-steppe eco-regions of Dauria have close ecological interconnections that are especially evident in relation to cyclical climate changes (see case study).