Analysis of Desertification in Mongolia

Abstract

The possibility of applying remote sensing data to the identification and monitoring of desertification is demonstrated. The present study includes the investigation of desertification of the territory of Mongolia by the analysis of vegetation dynamics over the period from 1982 to 2016 and its interrelation with climatic, natural, and anthropogenic components. It is found that the main contribution to the vegetation degradation in Mongolia was made by precipitation decrease and air temperature rise. The indirect factors such as livestock, land cultivation, and wildfires increased the influence of climatic factors and gave impetus to the desertification in some arid and semiarid regions.