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Abstract:
In Mongolia the risk of climate change and/or extreme climatic events have dramatic impacts on
its economy and natural systems. The objective of the project was to assess Potential Impacts of
and V&A to Climate Change of Livestock in Mongolia.
Different kind of approaches such as analytical analysis existing long-term plant dynamics, animal
and climate database, ecosystem animal modeling, remote sensing and GIS technology, field and
participatory survey were used for investigation of climate changes effects on grassland and
livestock structure and function.
Observations from 60 sites distributed across the country show that the Mongolian climate has
already changed significantly. Annual mean temperatures have risen by 1.80C between 1940-
2003.
Mongolia is projected to be dry and hot, while winter will be milder with more snowfall. The rate
of future winter warming in Mongolia varies from 0.90C to 8.70C, while the summer temperature
increase varies from 1.30C to 8.60C. Winter precipitation will increase by between 12.6 per cent
and 119.4 per cent when the summer rainfall varies from 2.5 per cent decrease to 11.3 per cent
increase.
More than 80 per cent of the county’s territory was defined as highly vulnerable to climate
extremes.
This study stretches out the potential impacts of climate change upon the natural environment
and upon the livestock sector, which is the major economic activity of Mongolia. Climate change
will make an impact on all aspects – from the natural grasslands to the competitiveness of the
livestock economic capability; ultimately it may also change the pattern of our individual and
community lifestyles.