Abstract
In this paper, we consider the effects of desertification in Mongolia, where the area of degraded land has increased significantly in the recent decade. Currently, almost the entire territory of the country is subject to varying degrees of degradation. The intensity of the desertification processes in different natural zones is influenced by both natural climatic and anthropogenic factors. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the impact of desertification on environmental and socio-economic living conditions, as well as on living standards of the local population. In this work, for the first time, the socio-economic aspects of desertification have been studied on a common methodological basis in different Mongolian aimags over a ten-year period. In order to carry out in-depth research, we used the submeridional and sublatitudinal principles for selecting the model study areas, as well as specific criteria and expert assessment. We used a sociological survey as the main method, based on a designed questionnaire, which was translated into Mongolian. The questionnaire includes questions regarding the influence of desertification on traditional nomadic farming, health of family members, water supply of households, water quality, living standards, etc. The results of the sociological surveys made it possible to draw conclusions on the impact of desertification on households, to identify the main problems of local people, and to describe the dynamics of the socio-economic status of the population living in the model areas. Our studies have demonstrated the intensification of the impact of desertification processes in different natural zones, administrative-territorial units and settlement systems in Mongolia.
Highlights
Desertification is one example of a serious environmental problem that poses a threat to certain countries, as do other global problems of mankind, such as climate change, biodiversity loss, environmental pollution, etc. [1,2]
In terms of studying desertification processes, the Mongolian territory is of great interest, as it is located in different natural zones, extending from the Gobi Desert in the south to the taiga in the north
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the impact of desertification on environmental and socio-economic living conditions, as well as on the living standards of the local population
Summary
Desertification is one example of a serious environmental problem that poses a threat to certain countries, as do other global problems of mankind, such as climate change, biodiversity loss, environmental pollution, etc. [1,2]. [1,2] This is why studying the reasons and effects of desertification is an important scientific task. In terms of studying desertification processes, the Mongolian territory is of great interest, as it is located in different natural zones, extending from the Gobi Desert in the south to the taiga in the north. In different aimags, depending on the latitudinal location, desertification progresses with various stages of intensity, affecting the living standards of the population, as well as environmental and socio-economic living conditions [3]. Economic and geographic research will allow to reveal the features of the desertification processes in different natural zones of Mongolia, and to compare the manifestation of social and economic problems caused by these processes. Public Health 2020, 17, 4068; doi:10.3390/ijerph17114068 www.mdpi.com/journal/ijerph
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