* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
Download Introduction Definition of Key Terms
Survey
Document related concepts
Terra preta wikipedia , lookup
Soil respiration wikipedia , lookup
Surface runoff wikipedia , lookup
Soil salinity control wikipedia , lookup
Crop rotation wikipedia , lookup
Soil compaction (agriculture) wikipedia , lookup
Soil microbiology wikipedia , lookup
No-till farming wikipedia , lookup
Soil erosion wikipedia , lookup
Soil food web wikipedia , lookup
Transcript
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) Bibliography Batjargal, Zambyn. "Mongolia: Country Features, the Main Causes of Desertification and Remediation Efforts." Desertification in Mongolia (2013): 217-29. Web. 21 Jan. 2017. <http://www.rala.is/rade/ralareport/batjargal.pdf>. "Implementation of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in Those Countries Experiencing Serious Drought And/or Desertification, Particularly in Africa." (n.d.): n. pag. Prevention Web. 15 Mar. 2013. Web. 21 Jan. 2017. <http://www.preventionweb.net/files/resolutions/N1249126.pdf>. "Integrated Desertification Assessment in Southern Mongolia." (n.d.): n. pag. Web. 21 Jan. 2017. <http://hss.ulb.uni-bonn.de/2007/1296/1296.pdf>. Langfitt, Frank. "Mineral-Rich Mongolia Rapidly Becoming 'Mine-golia'." NPR. NPR, 21 May 2012. Web. 21 Jan. 2017. <http://www.npr.org/2012/05/21/152683549/mineral-richmongolia-rapidly-becoming-minegolia>. "Livelihoods Blown Away." Greenpeace International. Greenpeace, 1 Sept. 2003. Web. 21 Jan. 2017. <http://www.greenpeace.org/international/en/news/features/desertification-ininner-mongo/>. "National Plan of Action to Combat Desertification in Mongolia." (n.d.): n. pag. Web. 21 Jan. 2017. <http://www.unccd.int/ActionProgrammes/mongolia-eng2000.pdf>. Nieuwenhuis Teaching Fellow in International Relations and East Asia, University of Warwick, Marijn. "China's Desertification Is Causing Trouble across Asia." The Conversation. N.p., 19 Jan. 2017. Web. 21 Jan. 2017. <http://theconversation.com/chinas-desertification-iscausing-trouble-across-asia-59417>. Ritter, Jim. "Soil Erosion – Causes and Effects." Soil Erosion – Causes and Effects. N.p., Oct. 2015. Web. 21 Jan. 2017. <http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/engineer/facts/12053.htm>. Tsogtbaatar, J. Monitoring and Assessment of Desertification and Land Degradation in Mongolia as Tool for Decision Making (n.d.): n. pag. 15 Oct. 2015. Web. 21 Jan. 2017. <http://www.gef.or.jp/en/activity/201510/J.Tsogtbaatar.pdf>.