Beating storms and droughts: the Erdenedalai weather network in the Mongolian Gobi

Although herders in Mongolia are embracing modernity, their livelihoods remain largely dependent on the weather and resulting grassland conditions. In recent years, natural resource degradation has made livestock production more risky. Severe weather events such as storms, droughts, and extremely harsh winters have been on the increase. Timely and adequate weather forecasts could help herders to cope more effectively with these changing circumstances. The Erdenedalai weather and early warning network in the Gobi desert represents a unique initiative to read the weather more carefully. Through collective action, the network is contributing to reduce risks and improve pastoral management practices.

The full article is available here:

http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/09614524.2012.630986