The cross-boundary of land degradation in Mongolia and China and achieving its neutrality - challenges and opportunities

Abstract

Land degradation, which directly affects global and regional economic and social development and food security, has become challenging. Looking North in East Asia, Mongolia and China (Inner Mongolia) are facing severe land degradation from continuous soil erosion by human-induced unsustainable agricultural practices and land-use changes, which have been execrated by climate change. The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) promoted the “Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN)”, and the ultimate target is to achieve a land degradation-neutral world that fulfils the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 15 (Life on Land) by 2030 s and beyond. Mongolia and Inner Mongolia in N China are important in producing dairy and major grains products. This review aims to (1) investigate the past and current land degradation facts challenges, (2) identify the global lessons on the LDN practice, and (3) eventually develop an LDN framework that fits to achieve the LDN targets that align with SDG 15. We found that the recent developmental pressure, over-grazing, land use changes, mining, and natural factors (i.e. drought) still are the major drivers of land degradation, which stress future food security and sustainable developments for both countries under the transboundary context across jurisdictions (i.e. laws and policies) on land degradation from both countries. We establish the LDN framework and recommend both countries collaborate further with the neighbourhood countries (i.e. C Asian Nations) that shared similar climatic conditions, which will be a key to success with the LDN target in N and E Asia towards the 2030 s and beyond.