The impact of land cover change on patterns of zoogeomorphological influence: Case study of zoogeomorphic activity of Microtus brandti and its role in degradation of Mongolian steppe

Earth´s surface building and changing by endogenetic and exogenetic processes. Endogenous processes are large-scale landform building and transforming processes. However, The exogenetic processes are the processes that shape the land by forces coming on or above the Earth´s surface (exogenetic forces), such as zoogeomorphic activity. Ecosystems in the Central Asian Plateau, which includes the Mongolian Plateau, are becoming increasingly sensitive to human interventions, leading to deterioration of already fragile ecosystems. Grassland ecosystems supply almost all of the forage needed for livestock production in the Mongolian Plateau, and support the livelihood of the region´s herders and their primarily nomadic way of life. However, the grassland ecosystems are distributed over a vast region that ranges between forest and desert ecosystems, and negligent human activities have caused serious environmental consequences for human society. The degraded grassland is habitat of Brandt´s vole (Microtus brandti). Does Brandt´s vole make damage to the environment or it provides management? Therefore we analysing NDVI, soil temperature and soil hardness measurements at the Brandt´s vole colony, to examine changes of land surface characteristics by activity of Brandt´s vole. As conclusion, we suppose that Brandt´s vole is might indicate the degradation of pasture and play important role in ecosystem recovery.