Mongolia’s peatlands under pressure
Investing in healthy peatlands is critical to tackling drought and land degradation
Peatlands occur mainly in northern, central and north-eastern Mongolia, particularly in mountain and foothill landscapes, forest-steppe and taiga zones, and river valleys – often in close association with permafrost. Despite their limited area, peatlands are vital natural infrastructure in Mongolia’s dry continental climate. They retain and gradually release water; sustain rivers, springs, wells and groundwater; reduce erosion; protect permafrost; store carbon; and support biodiversity. Peatlands also provide some of Mongolia’s most productive pastures, supporting herder livelihoods and livestock resilience during prolonged dry periods. These functions directly support the UNCCD’s goal of Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) by maintaining ecosystem services, land productivity and community resilience. Peatlands are therefore strategic assets forLDN, drought resilience, water security, productive rangelands, biodiversity conservation and climate action in Mongolia.
Mongolia has a strong foundation to scale up peatland action and demonstrate leadership by
recognising peatlands as natural infrastructure for Land Degradation Neutrality. There has been
significant progress in recent years but there is still an urgent need to accelerate peatland action.
In particular, coordinated action can transform successful pilots into a national programme
protecting water, pastures, biodiversity and climate resilience. Wetlands International, WSCC and Care for Ecosystems call on:
- The Government to integrate peatlands into national land, water and climate policies and
engage with the Peatland Breakthrough; - Mongolian companies to invest in peatland conservation and restoration;
- International donors and investors to finance inventories, restoration and community-led
management; and - Technical and research partners to strengthen mapping, monitoring and knowledge exchange.
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