Results of assessment of the current status and degree of disturbance of the desert-steppe rangelands of western Mongolia
Date
2009-02-25
Authors
Ariunsuren, P.
Damiran, D.
Stevens, J.P.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
ORCID
Type
Poster Presentation
Degree Level
Abstract
Concern about the status of Mongolia’s rangelands has increased due to dramatic increases in
livestock populations of this country during the past 18 years. The objective of this study was to
document the current status and degree of disturbance of the desert-steppe rangelands of western
Mongolia. A total of 123 rangeland monitoring sites representing 33 million hectares (21 % of
total country area) were established and inventoried in July/August 2008. Overall, our study
indicated that 82.9% of the dessert-steppe rangelands, consisting of 27.36 million hectares, have
been degraded to some extent. The degree of degradation varies; slight 26%, moderate 30.9%,
severe 13.8% and very severe 12.2% of total the area. In conclusion, in addition to natural
factors several specific human-driven causes, such as animal husbandry have led to widespread
disturbance in Mongolian desert-steppe rangelands.
Description
Keywords
desertification, invasion, Mongolian rangelands, soil erosion, sustainability
Citation
Degree
Department
Program
Advisor
Committee
Citation
Part Of
Soils and Crops Workshop