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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Logan, Utah » Forage and Range Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #182454
Title: MONGOLIAN RANGELANDS IN TRANSITION

Author
item Johnson, Douglas
item SHEEHY, DENNIS - WALLOWA, OREGON
item MILLER, DANIEL - US AGENCY INT DEV
item DAMIRAN, DAALKHAIJAV - EASTERN OREGON AG RES

Submitted to: Secheresse
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/29/2006
Publication Date: 9/7/2006
Citation: Johnson, D.A., Sheehy, D.P., Miller, D., Damiran, D. 2006. Mongolian rangelands in transition. Secheresse.

Interpretive Summary: Mongolia has a rich history and diverse, expansive rangelands. Mongolia's rangelands have always been publicly owned, but their management has changed with the country's governing structure. Since 1990 in its transition from a centrally controlled economy to a market economy, livestock production has undergone major changes that have affected the management and ecological condition of Mongolia's rangelands. A combination of increased livestock numbers, higher densities of livestock, collapse of many grazing management systems, severe winter storms, and a series of drought years have affected the ecological condition and stability of rangeland resources across much of the country, especially in the desert-steppe and desert ecological zones. The Government of Mongolia needs to establish an infrastructure for effective grazing regulation, support, services, and marketing to allow Mongolians to compete in a global market economy and ensure sustainable use of its unique rangeland resources.

Technical Abstract: Mongolia has a rich history and diverse, expansive rangelands. Mongolia's rangelands have always been publicly owned, but their management has changed with the country's governing structure. In its transition from a centrally controlled economy to a market economy since 1990, livestock production has undergone marked changes that have affected the management and ecological condition of Mongolia's rangelands. A combination of increased livestock numbers, diminished spatial distribution of livestock, collapse of many grazing management systems, severe winter storms, and a series of drought years have affected the ecological condition and stability of rangeland resources across much of the country, especially in the desert-steppe and desert ecological zones. An infrastructure for effective grazing regulation, support, services, and marketing needs to be established to allow Mongolians to compete in a global market economy and ensure sustainable use of its unique rangeland resources.