Pasture and NRM

Assessment of pasture capacity and its degradation in the three study sites and  its comparison

During the reporting period was carried out the assessment of pasture capacity in all study sites for the period 2000-2005, with the comparison of 1996.

In the recent years, substantial changes have occurred in ecosystem of Mongolia, which are revealed through the followings such as increased desert, activation of soil erosion, reduction of water
resources, decrease of types of biological plants as well as shrinking of rivers and springs. Researchers conducted a study on changes in the climate for last 60 years; accordingly, they concluded that air temperature increased by 1.56 degrees for the whole year, 3.6 degrees in winters, 1.4-1.5 degrees in springs and autumns, and 0.3 degrees in

The figure shows that pasture utilization pressure is more exceeded than the pasture capacity in Khotont and Deluin study sites. But its different by the years, depending of yield in particular period.

Specifics of Pastureland management for PM&E

• Seasonal division & around year cycle of grazing
• Restoration and management effects measured in next periods and years
• Many stakeholders for its CM
• Distance between herders and communities

Interlink of pastureland with other NR

Involvement of PM&E for pasture, natural resources co- management can be determined as followings:

1. Concrete management of implementation,

2. Levies that form the community capability,

3. Tools that gathering required information for policy,

4. Concrete results of investment.

Pasture shifting and rotation:

Model 1. Seasonal shifting of Sring and Summer pasture: Testing interventions in Ikhbulag community of Khotont sum, Tsagaan-Uul and Enkh communities of Lun sum, Karatau, Buzaukol and Ulaangobi communities of Deluun sum. Co-management decisions for Summer pasture shifting reached at Bag’s peoples Khural of Lun and Deluun sums.

First model is shifting pasture management system, within and between seasonal pastures, during
the intensive grass growing period. Tradition of nomadic pasture is based on the movement of herders from used pasture to more unused and fresher pasture, but degradated pasture never will get fresh type, if it not shifted at least in spring and summer time. Currently under the joint discussion of community and the project team have agreed to shift spring and summer and pasture at above mentioned communities. Shifting pasture management system under this model is experiencing at neg nutgiinkan or in whole community level.

First model is shifting of summer pasture and to move more distance pasture. Shifting summer pasture is more suitable at khot ail, saakhalt ail and neg nutgiinkan or in whole community level.

Model 2. Seasonal shifting of Summer pasture: This model undertaking in some communities of Deluin ( Karatau, Mustau ) and Khotont ( Arjargalant, Inkbulag ) sums.

First model is shifting of summer pasture and to move more distance pasture. Shifting summer pasture is more suitable at khot ail, saakhalt ail and neg nutgiinkan or in whole community level.

Model 3. Rotation of Summer pasture and Otor movement: This model designed to test for most communities of Deluin Sum. This model for the rotation system of grazing management. The main idea is group of herders need to decide jointly on a rotation system that is sustainable and this implies that their herd numbers must match the carry capacity of the range, within the seasonal pasture. The model testing in the khot ail (size of khot ail different, from 2 to 8 herders families in our study sites) level, and project team in collaboration with community have appointed herder-pasture consultant in given khot ail, who will day to day arrange rotation system for the grazing of sheep and goats.

Therefore, it is essential that local administration or Governor’s Administration Office in sums and bag jointly with herders must organize monitoring the utilization of the pastureland, take urgent remedial actions to fix problems and aim at managing and directing restoration activities at sum level.

Ecosystem research

“Community correspondent” program for the photo analysis of ecosystem changes being implemented in “Karatau” Buzaukol, Eregt communities of Deluin Sum, “Ikhbulag“, Arjargalant and Ikhburd communities of Khotont, and Tsagaan Uul, Tsagaan nuur, Eregt communities of Lun Sum. The images of pasture at different seasons, and ecosystem monitoring pictures beginning analyzed and stored in the community Album , and in project update, as well in Sum level PNR database.

Method of utilizing the pastureland via shifting and rotation was discussed at Citizens’ Representatives Khurals and was approved by Governor’s order; accordingly, it was put into practice at sum level following integrated organizational arrangements. Co-Management team in the sum has been working actively with initiatives.

Changes in the eco-system were determined and analyzed based on registration of community activities, using PM&E method.

Project study team has included location of seasonal pasture and NR into GIS mapping, using cartographic maps, data on transect walks, community mapping, and GPS locations or coordinates.

Herding community made information board with pictures, which showed changes in eco-system of that province, further, used the board in its activities and during the “Community’s Day”, ensured appropriate management of it and got professional advices from researchers.