Mongolia to Host UNCCD COP17 as Landmark Study Questions Herd Size Focus for Steppe Restoration

As Mongolia prepares for UNCCD COP17 in 2026, new research finds climate change—not just overgrazing—is the primary driver of its 80% rangeland degradation.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 25, 2026, 10:55 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Earth.Org

The Strategic Importance of the Mongolian Steppe

Mongolia’s vast rangelands, which cover 70% of the nation's territory, serve as the cultural and economic backbone for half of the country’s population. These habitats are not only historical landmarks but are globally significant biodiversity hotspots that support a critical livestock pastoralism economy. Responsibly managed herds have historically acted as climate allies, using rotational grazing to enhance soil health and facilitate carbon sequestration. However, this delicate ecological balance is now facing what experts describe as a "silent demise," with desertification accelerating at an alarming rate. According to recent data, land degradation in Mongolia has reached 80%, a figure that is double the global average and represents an existential threat to the traditional nomadic way of life.

Global Recognition of Pastoralist Livelihoods

The United Nations has officially designated 2026 as the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists, a move championed by the Mongolian government to bring global attention to overlooked ecosystems. Rangelands cover approximately half of the Earth's terrestrial surface and sustain the livelihoods of an estimated two billion people worldwide. Despite their importance for food security and climate regulation, rangeland degradation often lacks the visibility of high-profile environmental issues like deforestation. By leading this international initiative, Mongolia aims to elevate the conservation of these landscapes to the same level of urgency as forest protection, emphasizing their role as major carbon stores and biodiversity reservoirs.

Shifting the Blame from Livestock to Climate

A pivotal 2025 study published in the journal Science has reshaped the debate over what actually causes the "scorched earth" conditions across the steppe. While the privatization of livestock in the 1990s led to a rapid population surge—particularly in goats for the global cashmere trade—the research suggests that climate change-linked warming and precipitation shifts are more destructive than grazing pressure. The authors argue that during extreme droughts, even small, traditionally sized herds can appear to overgraze an area because the land has lost its capacity for regrowth. This findings suggests that traditional models may be unfairly blaming herders for ecological shifts tha...