Chapter 1: The Legacy of Mongolia’s Forests

Scattered remnants of ancient trees reveal the story of a land that was once rich in forests.

When a landscape loses its forests entirely, it can become so barren that few can imagine its former glory. Trees may be felled or scorched, and the soil erodes away, erasing all evidence of the forest's existence. This is why the occasional ancient tree or small patch of original vegetation is considered a treasure.

Having grown up in Central Otago, New Zealand—a semi-arid region that was primarily treeless—I've witnessed similar transformations. Initially covered in tussock and scrub, European settlers introduced poplars and fruit trees in the 1850s, gradually altering the landscape. Yet, hints of the previous forested state linger in small remnants, often just solitary trees nestled in fire-protected, rugged areas.

During my time as a geologist in the Gobi Altai region of Mongolia—the mountains flanking the Gobi Desert—I was struck by the parallels to my New Zealand home. The landscape bore similarities in color and form, only on a much grander scale. Like Central Otago, the Gobi Altai is predominantly treeless, characterized by vast steppes and bare rock. However, here and there, patches of greenery emerge—a small forest hidden in a remote gorge or isolated trees standing alone amidst the arid plains. After enduring weeks without seeing any vegetation taller than myself, these trees were always a welcome sight.

In the mountains, the trees are primarily larch—deciduous conifers that flourish only during the brief Mongolian summer.

My geological partner, Nyambayar, and I often found ourselves delighted by the rare sight of a small larch forest, a stark contrast to the bare rock we traversed daily.

Section 1.1: The Rarity of Greenery

Not far from our camp, there was a notably small patch of willows, the only trees for many kilometers. This oasis was clearly recognized as special by those who had fenced it off to protect it from grazing goats, although the fence now requires some repairs.

Occasionally, we encountered astonishingly isolated trees, often elms, standing alone where one would expect pure desert. The locals refer to these solitary trees as 'ganzmut' (single-tree), and they hold significant cultural importance, often adorned with blue silk strips by Buddhists.

Chapter 2: Understanding the Climate Shift

Research indicates a significant reduction in forest coverage across Mongolia over the millennia.

Fossil pollen analysis shows a shift toward a drier climate, leading to the expansion of steppes and deserts. While climate change played a role, the increasing pressures from human activity—such as grazing and fires—have compounded the issue, making forest regeneration challenging.

The second video, "Mongolian Forests in an Era of Climate Change," explores how these forests are responding to ongoing climate changes and human impacts.