Mongolia's Permafrost Thaws Rapidly, Reshaping Ecosystems and Releasing Greenhouse Gases
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Jun 19
Mongolia's Permafrost Thaws Rapidly, Reshaping Ecosystems and Releasing Greenhouse Gases
1 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Jun 19
Summary
Northern Mongolia’s thawing permafrost is destabilizing grasslands, wetlands and buildings, with thermokarst ponds expanding in the Darkhad Depression and cracks spreading through a school dormitory in Khövsgöl province.
Frozen ground had long kept water near the surface; as it melts, springs shift, some pastures turn marshy, others dry out, and grazing conditions for herders become increasingly unpredictable.
Yaks and other livestock are already under pressure because they depend on cool, moist pastures and reliable water, while residents also report more migratory birds arriving from China and consuming fish in local lakes.
Researchers from Mongolia, Japan, Russia and the United States are tracking ground temperatures, hydrology and landscape change with sensors, meteorological towers, drones and GPS, alongside local knowledge gathered through the Frozen Commons project.
The thaw’s impact reaches beyond Mongolia because decomposing organic matter in once-frozen ground releases methane and carbon dioxide, adding feedbacks that can accelerate warming across the wider circumpolar north.
As its frozen ground melts, can Mongolia's herding culture survive the global cashmere demand that worsens the crisis?
With wildfires now accelerating permafrost thaw, how close are we to an irreversible collapse of these frozen landscapes globally?
Mongolia hosts the UN desertification summit this year. Can its crisis force a global plan for climate tipping points?
Mongolia’s Permafrost Thaw: Urgent Risks, Greenhouse Gas Projections, and Adaptation Strategies for a Warming World
Overview
Mongolia's permafrost thaw is an urgent environmental crisis with global consequences. As permafrost degrades, especially due to wildfires, large amounts of stored carbon are released, causing a surge in greenhouse gas emissions. This increase in emissions makes it harder to achieve global climate targets. To address this challenge, Mongolia needs better monitoring systems, improved climate models that include permafrost dynamics, and strong international cooperation for effective mitigation and adaptation. The seriousness of this issue is widely recognized in scientific discussions, highlighting the need for immediate and coordinated action.