The drying out of the Earth?s surface, caused by drought, is intensifying land desertification, posing a serious threat to local residents? survival, and harming the stability of local local environments, as well as undermining the advancement of sound socioeconomic development (Zhou, 1999). According to the United Nations Environment Programme, six million hectares of land worldwide are affected by desertification every year. The rate of desertification in Northeast Asia is more rapid than in Africa, with the destruction of the Asian forest areas drastically expanding (Park In Sung, 2003). Droughts occur once every two or three years in 25% of Mongolia?s territory and once every four to five years in 50% of its territory (Luvsandash, 2010). Currently, desertification is existent in 90.2% of Mongolia?s national territory. According to findings from the Mongolian government?s research studies in 2007, 852 rivers, 2,277 streams, 1,181 lakes, and 60 hot springs have disappeared in the past 20 years. Three-fourths of plant species have become extinct. These statistics indicate that desertification is now a survival issue for the people of Mongolia.
The effects of desertification are manifested in the form of decreased groundwater levels, loss of species diversity, ravaged forests, expansion of wastelands as well as shortage of water (????, 2009). Moreover, the amount of fertile soil and functional roles of soil will diminish as desertification progresses, which will also adversely affect the ecosystem. These phenomena will again accelerate the process of the desertification, thereby creating a vicious cycle (Jeong Seo Kuk, 2009). The studies of 45 regions worldwide from UNEP?s Conference to Combat Desertification predict that natural causes such as abnormal climate or changes in the weather conditions account for 13% of desertification while the other 87% is caused by artificial influences (Lee Min Hee, 2005).