The Mongolian Ecosystem Network

This detailed presentation of the ecological and social aspects of environmental issues in Mongolia, such as desertification and the sustainability of nomadism, deploys the latest field research techniques to assess the nature of the threats the country faces.

The aim of this book is to describe what is currently occurring in the Mongolian grasslands, to analyze how various factors creating environmental problems interact, and to suggest solutions for sustainable management of the grasslands. The book has three parts. Part I is an introduction, explaining the key concept of an ecosystem network and providing background information on the general features of Mongolian nomadic pastoralism as well as distribution of vegetation in Mongolian grasslands. Part II describes the effects of natural environmental factors and nomadic activities on grassland conditions. Water dynamics that maintain the grassland system are analyzed in a steppe region with shrubs and in a forest-steppe region with trees. Part III describes the effects of economic and social factors on land-use and the livelihood of herders. As nomadic people moved closer to large cities for economic advantage in the 1990s, degradation of pastures by overgrazing resulted. Finally, the impacts of global warming and globalization on the Mongolian society and ecosystem are examined. This book analyzes environmental problems in Mongolian grasslands, but the contents contribute to consideration of environmental problems and sustainable pasture use in grassland areas worldwide.

Helps readers to identify and consider general grassland environmental problems Presents social and ecological aspects of grassland environmental problems Explains various methods for approaching problems, such as field work and statistical analyses

Inhalt
Preface.- Part I. Ecosystem Network and Mongolian Nomadism.- Part II. Natural Environment and Ecosystem Network.- Part III. Socio-Economic Activity and Ecosystem Network.