Fish Battle Extreme Climate Change in Mongolia

Mongolia is one of the countries most affected by climate change. While the impacts to herders and their livestock are well documented, little is known about how the climate crisis is impacting the fish that live in Mongolia's waters. Researchers from Mongolia and the University of Wisconsin-Madison have spent the last 15 years studying that question within the pristine waters of Lake Hovsgol, Mongolia's largest lake by volume which is situated mere miles from the Russia border.

What they’ve found is dire. The changing climate is causing the tributary streams used by spawning fish to dry up. Today, nearly 80% of the 96 streams that once flowed into Lake Hovsgol are dry during the key months when the fish migrate. Additionally, increases in storms are eroding topsoil, making herding much more difficult. To cope with these challenges, herders have turned to fishing in the national park, not only as a source of food, but also for additional income.

The disappearing tributaries and increased fishing pressure are having an impact: when the researchers interviewed local herders, nearly all said endangered Hovsgol grayling populations had decreased dramatically.

This story was published by the Guardian.