Describing ecological potential and ecological states of rangeland to support livestock management in Mongolia.

Perception of rangeland degradation in Mongolia and its causes are well known but herders and policy makers lack clear messages on how much rangeland is degraded, whether is it reversible, and what management changes should be implemented. This paper illustrates a portion of our ongoing efforts to develop ESDs that can be used at the grass roots level as management tools. At the Undurshireet soum study site, which is split mainly into Gravelly, Loamy, Sandy, and Deep sandy ecological sites, rangeland community shifts in Gravelly and Loamy ecological sites are interpreted as reversible shifts in species composition or species proportion within the states, indicating that a change to grazing management may be effective for restoration of desired conditions. Sandy and Deep sandy ecological sites in this area are at high risk of erosion and may be more difficult to restore.