Impacts of agricultural land-use dynamics on erosion risks and options for land and water management in Northern Mongolia

摘要: In Mongolia, nomadic herders have successfully been grazing livestock for more than a millennium. However, in recent years, concerns increased that changes management and higher stocking rates may negatively affect vegetation increase soil erosion, overland flow sediment load of rivers. addition, ambitious agricultural policies the intensity land use thus enforcing conversion grassland to which is far susceptible erosion. this study, we tackle question how land-use dynamics influence erosion risks implications these require on water resources management. The study was part larger research effort, studying implementation options Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM); paper, specifically impacts change are studied. has carried out Kharaa river basin (KRB) Northern agriculture play key roles. As several run-off-relevant factors such as slope, type or cover widely varying KRB, sub-regions catchment analysed identify combinations environmental factors. our identified sub-catchments under current calculated with Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation sum up approximately 2–4 Mg ha−1  year−1 steppe 4–9 Mg ha−1 year−1 croplands, while using 137CS measurements resulted 2–3 Mg ha−1 year−1 15 Mg ha−1 year−1 cropland. Erosion risk scenarios indicate well climate can reduce (−30 %) aggravate sevenfold contribute additional challenges KRB. Strategies be developed limit implement protection prone sub-regions. IWRM potential bridge sectorial measures, e.g. agriculture, rural development nature protection, but runoff-related currently addressed different institutions, legal frameworks regulations, slow down hamper efficient measures.