Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY & THE CENTER FOR NOMADIC PASTORALISM STUDIES Lessons from the Dzud: Adaptation and Resilience in Mongolian Pastoral Social‐Ecological Systems María E. Fernández‐Gimenez, Batbuyan Batjav and Batkhishig Baival June 2012 Table of Contents Acknowledgements ....................................................................................................................................... 1 Executive Summary ....................................................................................................................................... 2 Rationale, Methods, and Objectives ......................................................................................................... 2 Factors Affecting Vulnerability .................................................................................................................. 3 Adaptive Strategies and Constraints to Adaptation ................................................................................. 3 Reflections on Resilience .......................................................................................................................... 5 1) Resilience to Past Dzud .................................................................................................................... 5 2) A “Teachable Moment” for Transformation ..................................................................................... 6 3) The Roles of Pasture User Groups, Herder Groups and the Sustainable Livelihoods Program ........ 6 4) Local Government Coordination with Local NGOs, Donors, and Grass‐roots Herder Initiatives .... 7 5) Cross‐boundary and Cross‐level Institutions are Essential ............................................................... 8 Implications for Mongolia and Beyond ..................................................................................................... 8 Recommendations .................................................................................................................................. 11 Recommendations for Herder Households ........................................................................................ 11 Recommendations for Khot Ail and Herder Groups ........................................................................... 11 Recommendations for Local Government .......................................................................................... 12 Recommendations for Regional and National Government ............................................................... 12 Recommendations for Donors and Relief Aid Organizations ............................................................. 13 1. Introduction and Objectives ................................................................................................................... 14 1.1 Purpose and Objectives .................................................................................................................... 14 1.2 Vulnerability, Resilience, and Adaptation ......................................................................................... 15 1.3 Dzud .................................................................................................................................................. 18 1.4 The 2009‐2010 Dzud ......................................................................................................................... 23 2. Study Sites and Methods ........................................................................................................................ 24 2.1 Selection of Study Sites ..................................................................................................................... 24 2.2 Interviews and Focus Groups ............................................................................................................ 25 2.3 Photovoice ........................................................................................................................................ 26 2.4 Household Survey ............................................................................................................................. 28 2.5 Case Study Composition and Cross‐Case Analysis ............................................................................ 29 3. Ikhtamir Case Study ................................................................................................................................ 31 3.1 Soum Ecological and Socio‐Economic Context ................................................................................. 31 3.2 2010 Dzud Narrative ......................................................................................................................... 34 3.2.1 Exposure and Sensitivity ............................................................................................................ 34 3.2.2 Coping Responses ...................................................................................................................... 38 3.2.3 Dzud Impacts .............................................................................................................................. 42 3.2.4 Adaptive Responses Immediately Following the Dzud .............................................................. 43 3.2.5 Recovery, Learning, Adaptation a Year after the Dzud .............................................................. 45 3.3 Discussion .......................................................................................................................................... 49 3.3.1 Factors Affecting Vulnerability ................................................................................................... 49 3.3.2 Recovery and Resilience ............................................................................................................ 50 3.3.3 Role of Adaptive Strategies ........................................................................................................ 50 3.3.4 Role of PUGs and the SLP ........................................................................................................... 52 3.3.5 Constraints to Adaptation .......................................................................................................... 53 3.4 Implications for Policy and Practice .................................................................................................. 55 4. Undur Ulaan Case Study ......................................................................................................................... 56 4.1 Soum Ecological and Socio‐Economic Context ................................................................................. 56 4.2 2010 Dzud Narrative ......................................................................................................................... 59 4.2.1 Exposure and Sensitivity ............................................................................................................ 59 4.2.2 Coping Responses ...................................................................................................................... 60 4.2.3 Dzud Impacts .............................................................................................................................. 63 4.2.4 Adaptive Responses ................................................................................................................... 64 4.2.5 Recovery, Learning, Adaptation a Year after the Dzud .............................................................. 65 4.3 Discussion .......................................................................................................................................... 68 4.3.2 Indicators of Resilience .............................................................................................................. 73 4.3.3 Role of Adaptive Strategies ........................................................................................................ 73 4.3.4 SLP and Informal Herder Cooperation ....................................................................................... 74 4.3.5 Constraints to Adaptation .......................................................................................................... 74 4.4 Implications for Policy and Practice .................................................................................................. 75 5. Jinst Case Study ....................................................................................................................................... 77 5.1. Soum Ecological and Socio‐economic Context ................................................................................ 77 5.2 Dzud Narrative .................................................................................................................................. 80 5.2.1 Exposure and Sensitivity ............................................................................................................ 80 5.2.2 Coping Responses ...................................................................................................................... 82 5.2.3 Dzud Impacts .............................................................................................................................. 84 5.2.4 Adaptive Responses ................................................................................................................... 86 5.2.5 Recovery, Learning, Adaptation