10:45 AM - 11:00 AM
[MIS05-07] Understanding the impact of climate change on nomadic communities based on community-engaged research of dzuds in Khövsgöl aimag
Keywords:dzud, Khovsgol aimag, Mongolia, Local and Indigenous communities
Despite their minimal contributions to climate change, the livelihoods of pastoralists in Mongolia are highly exposed to its effects. Local and Indigenous communities are the first to witness climate change impacts and devise strategies for mitigation and adaptation. In addition, accurate forecasting based on local knowledge is needed for successful climate adaptation and mitigation planning. Therefore, learning from these communities is an important component of research on human-environment relations and climate change.
This work examines the impacts of climate change on nomadic communities, using the example of dzuds in Khövsgöl aimag. Khövsgöl aimag, with the largest proportion of protected lands and discontinuous permafrost, remains relatively untouched by industrial development, making it a key place to study climate-induced hazards. Khövsgöl has similarities with Arctic and Subarctic regions, which allows for the analysis of challenges specific for cold locales.
Dzud is the most prevalent hazard in Mongolia caused by climate change. It kills millions of cattle and reindeer and inflicts catastrophic damage on villages and nomads, with snow blocking roads and impeding access to supplies, medical care, and food for thousands of households. Based on interviews with herders, the authors collected data on pasture use, the impact of land use regulations and mitigation of existing hazards, and the environmental changes. Combining these results with an analysis of federal programs for dzud mitigation, existing quantitative pastureland use data, environmental, and socio-economic data on the impact of dzud (e.g. livestock losses, number of herder households affected) in Northern Mongolia, we discuss vulnerability, resilience, and adaptation practices of local and Indigenous communities in the face of climate-induced hazards.
This work examines the impacts of climate change on nomadic communities, using the example of dzuds in Khövsgöl aimag. Khövsgöl aimag, with the largest proportion of protected lands and discontinuous permafrost, remains relatively untouched by industrial development, making it a key place to study climate-induced hazards. Khövsgöl has similarities with Arctic and Subarctic regions, which allows for the analysis of challenges specific for cold locales.
Dzud is the most prevalent hazard in Mongolia caused by climate change. It kills millions of cattle and reindeer and inflicts catastrophic damage on villages and nomads, with snow blocking roads and impeding access to supplies, medical care, and food for thousands of households. Based on interviews with herders, the authors collected data on pasture use, the impact of land use regulations and mitigation of existing hazards, and the environmental changes. Combining these results with an analysis of federal programs for dzud mitigation, existing quantitative pastureland use data, environmental, and socio-economic data on the impact of dzud (e.g. livestock losses, number of herder households affected) in Northern Mongolia, we discuss vulnerability, resilience, and adaptation practices of local and Indigenous communities in the face of climate-induced hazards.