1. International Conference on “Ecology, Environment and Sustainable Development of Silk Road Economic Zone” Beijing June 15-16, 2014. CHANGES OF SOCIO -ECOLOGICAL SYSTEM OF MONGOLIA IN PERIOD OF GLOBALIZATION Sh.Tsegmid Institute of Geography Mongolian Academy of Science Dr. Enkh-Amgalan Sandag Director

2. Contents 12/6/20152 1.Silk Road & Mongolia brief history 2.Impacts of Ecological Degradation 3.Socio ecological changes and urbanization Natural hazard 3.1. Natural hazard 3.2. About “ 3.2. About “Zud” 3.3. 3.3. Desertification and pasture degradation 4. Collaborative Research Opportunities - IG, MAS

3. Silk Road & Mongolia brief history Silk Road & Mongolia brief history Silk Road- greatest, important trade and cultural transmission routes of international trade in the world. China, East to Europe and the West connecting by traders merchants pilgrims, monks, soldiers, nomads, and urban dwellers. The Mongol expansion throughout the Asian continent from around 1207 to 1360 helped bring political stability and re- established the Silk Road. It also brought an end to the Islamic Caliphate dominance over world trade. Because the Mongols came to control the trade routes, trade circulated throughout the region. Merchandise that did not seem valuable to the Mongols was often seen as highly valuable by the west. In return the Mongols received a large amount of luxurious goods from the West. However, they never abandoned their nomadic lifestyle. Soon after Genghis Khan died, the Silk Road was in the hands of Genghis Khans' daughters.

4. Karakorum the capital city of the Great Mongolian Empire, was linked to the Silk Road, said by famous traveler Marko Polo. It is located on the upper Orhon River in north- central Mongolia. Karakorum may have been first settled about 750. At the present time of glabilization and integration of regional development the impact to the economic and social development of the countries situated along the Silk Road is vital important not only Europe and Asia but to the economic and social development of the world. Present Karakorum city Erdene zuu monastery

5. Geopolitical features: Territories of 1564.1 thousand square km, average height of 1580 m above see level. Between the left and right points of the 2392 km of the northern and southern points 1259 km and 8219 km long line of which 3546 kilometers with Russia and 4673 km of borders with China. 5

6. 12/6/2015 6 In the 20 th century, population of Mongolia increased 3.7 times. Reached one million in 1962. Average annual population growth rate was 0.3 during war years, lowest in the 20 th century. Reached two million in 1988. Population of Mongolia is 2.9 million. Population density 1.85 sq. km ( in 2013). largest city of Mongolia: o Ulaanbaatar- Capital city o Darkhan - (Agricultural and Manufacturing province) o Erdenet - - (Mining industry province)

7. Environmental outlook of Mongolia 12/6/20157 Four ecological zone : high mountain, forest mountain, steppe, desert, Temperature : January -20 C July +25C Precipitation : average 250 mm

8. 12/6/20158 Last 10 years in Mongolia increased liverstock all families. Another side environment was acceptable.

9. 12/6/20159 Storms Unemployment and poverty increased Mining Desertification & Pasture degradation Desertification & Pasture degradation drought Migration to Urban Impacts of Ecological Degradation Livestock loss Urban issues

10. 12/6/201510 Natural hazard

11. Zud 12/6/201511 Drought in summer following after delay in green up affect to the growth of livestock and extreme weather in winter causes massive livestock loss which is called as zud in Mongolia. 80% (18 provinces ) territory effected by the dzud of 2009-2010 Animal losses : 9,7 million Economic damage: 526 billion Tg (30 milion USD).

12. Desertification and pasture degradation Pasture -123 million ha From which : heavily degraded -5,0%, degraded-18%, middle -26%, low -23%.

13. 12/6/201513 Migration pattern While reasons for moving to Ulaanbaatar abound, many migrants are former herders seeking new livelihoods after a series of winter disasters that Mongolians call dzud, a phenomenon when a summer drought is followed by extreme cold winters that claims the weakened animals. Mongolia’s worst dzud struck in the winters of 1999-2010 when over 19 million animals perished leaving thousands of rural families destitute.

14. Urban Population growth 12/6/201514 The winter disaster, the rural population will not be able to survive with significant economic losses, which in other urban areas and rural areas due to greater migration to Ulaanbaatar intensified, especially in the capital city, population, leading to the increase from year to year.

15. 12/6/201515 Ulaanbaatar and ger district Ulaanbaatar and other major cities is caused by rapid population growth and, environmental problems. The rapid growth of urban population, increasing population density and the urban environment, including air pollution, water quality and soil degradation, and even human health is worsening.

16. 12/6/201516 Air pollution The main causes of urban growth, increased pollution, air pollution, and then over the years, and is associated with deteriorating air quality. Growing from year to year, the number of diseases caused by air pollution and increased expenses to.

17. Soil erosion In Ulaanbaatar city 19 brick factories in the territory of the capital city and gravel industry 32, 76 leather, auto repair / tire repair, oil and spare parts trade 314, 4 asphalt plant, petrol stations, fuel storage 166, respectively, are operating induced soil pollution has increased in recent years. Regional soil Cu, Zn, Pb, Hg and other harmful elements is substantial spatial variation range of soil contamination increases in Ulaanbaatar city.

18. Recent time, economics of our country has been on the increase rapidly and Mongolia takes the first 10 places in the mineral resources in the world. In Mongolia have 15 deposits of strategic importance in the country. For example deposits of gold, copper, molybdenum, and coal, etc. Mongolia is sea landlocked country, the main freight transport by rail and total length 1875 km. Main freight transport carried out with 15 million ton in Russia, 39 million ton in China per year. 12/6/201518 Mineral resource

19. 12/6/201519 Mining activity Mongolia’s mining boom raises environment issues LICENSE LOCATION MAP OF MONGOLIA Mining and inadequate waste management can also make significant contribution to land degradation. An estimated 100,000 ha of land have been degraded by coal and gold mining activities.

20. 12/6/201520

21. Future patentions Future patentions 12/6/201521 First: The Silk road was a bridge of trade, communication, technology, science and culture. As for Mongolians, they considered the road not only as a trade road of accumulating merit, praying and also black sand road. Karakorum is the capital city of the Great Mongolian Empire. Second: Recent time Mongolia was main bridge Europe and Asia namely, two powers of the world, Russian federation and the People s Republic of China. This is very important position Sustainable development Silk Road as well as, by the closest and cheap trade road from Asia to Europe. Third: The economics our of our country has been on the increase rapidly and Mongolia takes the first 10 places in the mineral resources and their reserved thus there is a ground to carry out large project for infrastructure attracting the world attention Fourth: The Institute Geography has a history of 50 years and is in cooperation with about 20 institutes and Universities of the world. Namely, for present years, we have organized international conferences “Mongolian Plateau and Sustainable surrounding regions” jointly with Institute of Geography MAS and Natural Resources of CAS, in two countries.

22. UB 2014 Sh.Tsegmid Institute of Geography Mongolian Academy of Sciences:

23. Sh.Tsegmid Institute of Geography Mongolian Academy of Sciences Sh.Tsegmid Institute of Geography Mongolian Academy of Sciences

24. Administration and Human resource The Institute consists of totally 65 staff including 52 research workers and among them, 3 doctor (Sc), 13 doctor (Ph) and 16 Masters respectively. As for organizational structure, the Institute has 5 scientific sectors, a library and administrative unit. Whereas: sector of physical geography, social economic geography, lab of permafrost studies, soil studies, lab geographic information system and cartography. Research workers ‘ average age is 32. In 1962, there had been a base to establish Institute of Geography belonging to Academy of Sciences.

25. Socio-Economic Geography Sector assessment of factors of the geographical environment with a special reference to natural emerging socio-economic problems in the countryside social, economic and regional problems of population Population settlement, migration process, rural & urbanization issues The National Atlas of Mongolia

26. Laboratory of GIS & Cartography composing of geographical database & geospatial data survey of social transformation process by using program and information obtained from the space. Topical geographical cartography clarification of geographical terminology Estimate flood using the hydrogen model and Remote sensing

27. Laboratory of Soil Science Soil geography and Classification Soil mapping and Modeling Soil chemistry and Contamination Soil erosion and Water-physical study Soil assessment and Proper use Ulaanbaatar city soil map Soil of Mongolia with FAO-WRB classification

28. Physical Geography Sector Geomorphology, Landscape, Desertification, Cave, Climate and environmental changes Hydrology, Lake, Geo-ecology, Protected area

29. Long-term monitoring distribution of permafrost Seasonal frozen ground, geophysical research Mapping and modeling of permafrost Hydro-geology and engineering permafrost Laboratory of Permafrost Permafrost Map of Mongolia