Download Introduction Definition of Key Terms

Forum:
Advisory Panel on the Question of East Asia
Issue:
Addressing the threat of Mongolia’s desertification
Student Officer: Alexander Lin
Position:
Deputy President of the Advisory Panel on the Question of
East Asia
Introduction
Mongolia, a country that has a strong agriculture industry is now facing the threat of
desertification, due to a variety of factors. Climate change, as well as increased industrialization
and modernization has caused Mongolia’s once fertile and nutrient-rich soil to degrade. This has
caused severe problems for the nomads living in the region, as water resources and vegetation
deplete. Not only does desertification affect Mongolia domestically, but it is an issue on the
international level. From clashes with China over mining and use of pasturelands, to sand from
deserts spreading to countries as far away as New Zealand which causes billions of dollars in
damages, desertification has a negative impact on many nations in the region. Desertification,
like climate change is an issue that is extremely hard to combat, and significant sacrifices in
economic growth may be needed.
Definition of Key Terms
Desertification
Land degradation in arid, semi-arid, and dry sub-humid areas resulting from various
factors, including climatic variations and human activities.
Soil Erosion
Soil erosion refers to the wearing away of a field's topsoil by the natural physical forces
of water and wind or through forces associated with farming activities such as tillage.
Climate Change
A change in global or regional climate patterns. An increase in global temperatures
annually worldwide causes many adverse effects, such as the melting of polar ice caps
as well as severe droughts.
Animal Husbandry
The science of breeding and caring for farm animals.
Background Information
Natural Causes
Climate
The climate of Mongolia is a major factor that contributes to desertification.
Precipitation in the region is rare, and approximately 90% of the rainwater is returned to
the atmosphere through evapotranspiration. Furthermore, temperature fluctuations are
extreme in the region. The range between winter low temperatures and summer high
temperatures can reach 50 degrees Celsius, as compared to 25 Celsius in Europe.
Extreme drops in temperatures during the summer are not uncommon, and these
unexpected frosts can cause large amounts of crop losses.
Soil Erosion
Soil erosion in Mongolia is caused by a variety of factors, including wind and
water. Up to 60% of land covered with soil is affected by soil erosion, which greatly
reduces the amount of arable land. This occurs due to the fact that soil particles are
unable to bind together. Low precipitation causes lower soil moisture, and less
vegetation to grow in the area, both of which are needed in order to allow the soil to bind
together into heavier, and sturdier blocks. With high wind speeds, the soil in Mongolia is
particularly susceptible to this erosion. Moreover, high soil salinity levels mean that only
certain types of plants with a resistance to salt can grow in the region, which contributes
to the reason why vegetation is so scarce. Topsoil that is blown away can take hundreds
of years to re-develop.
Human Causes
Animal Husbandry
Animal husbandry is also one of the major
causes of desertification and soil erosion. Since
1990, there has been a strong increase in the
amount of herding families and livestock in the region,
due to the privatization of livestock. The number of goats
Caption 1: Degradation of Land
in particular have increased dramatically, due to the demand of cashmere around the
world. These types of goats are able to graze on a wide range of foods, thus causing
much of the limited vegetation in the area to be endangered. Their sharp hooves also
damage the plants and fungi holding the soil together, allowing the exposed soil to be
blown away by strong winds.
Crop Cultivation
The use of arable land in Mongolia in order to facilitate food production makes
the soil even more susceptible to erosion, as the spring-tilling season directly coincides
with the time when Mongolia experiences the highest wind speeds. With all the
vegetation removed from the land, the soil is easily blown away by the wind.
Furthermore, farmland often lacks trees, which are necessary in order to block winds
from achieving high speeds. Deforestation in order to make room for farmland or other
manmade structures exacerbates the problem.
Mining
The mining industry in Mongolia, although successful and lucrative, is causing
serious problems relating to desertification. Due to the increasing demand in coal,
copper, and gold, many corporations have begun tapping into the vast amounts of
minerals under Mongolia’s land. The strip mining technique as well as improper waste
disposal techniques degrade the surrounding land, and create unnecessarily large areas
of polluted soil. Furthermore, gold mining in the region has caused water resources to be
depleted, as it contributes to the shrinkage of rivers, such as the Ulaan and Ongi rivers.
The over-exploitation of land resources is a problem that must be addressed.
Mongolia’s Strategy to Combat Desertification
Short Term
Mongolia’s government has outlined several short-term actions that it will fulfill in
order to combat desertification. These include raising public awareness, drafting
legislation, developing technologies for sustainable agriculture, and increased research
in order to further understand desertification. These short-term actions will attempt to
alleviate the negative impacts of desertification on the people. These consequences
include lack of food, and job opportunities, as many citizens of Mongolia rely on cattle
herding and farming to support themselves.
Long Term
Long term actions include establishing a national fund to combat desertification,
formation of a national land and water use policy, as well as the establishment of a
desertification office within the ministry of nature and environment. These long-term
actions will aim to lessen the negative effects of desertification on the economy as well
as the environment, while continuing to support the mining industries in Mongolia.
Timeline of Events
Agriculture and herding has long been rooted in Mongolia’s culture. 40% of its workforce
remains nomadic, exploring the arable lands of Mongolia. Recently, the mining industry has
attracted a large number of investors, causing Mongolia’s economy to boom, while degrading
large amounts of precious land.
Date
Description of event
1987-1997
Livestock Grew 38% during this time period, which resulted in
increased grazing of land.
The fall of communism in Mongolia allowed the privatization of
1990
livestock, which further increased the number of livestock.
1994
United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification Established
In 2011, the economy grew sharply, by 17%. This had negative
2011
consequences, seeing as mining is extremely destructive for the
environment.
UN Involvement, Relevant Resolutions, Treaties and Events
The United Nations has been trying to solve the problem of desertification, since the
United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification was established in 1994.

Plan of Action to Combat Desertification, 09 December 1989 (A/RES/44/172)

United Nations Decade for Deserts and the Fight against Desertification, 21 December
2009 (A/RES/64/201)

Plan of Action to Combat Desertification, 09 December 1989 (A/RES/44/172)
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