Biodiversity

CSA and AgNBS will be supported by increased use of equitable, inclusive PES especially by/for women and youth, which will secure water supplies, improve water quality and restore plant diversity in pastures. This supports Mongolia’s National Biodiversity Programme 2015-2025 and its Strategy 4, Goal 14, Objective 29 to “identify and implement funding sources such as PES and biodiversity offset for protection of biodiversity”. Protection, restoration and monitoring costs deter herders from acting. Furthermore, acting on Mongolia’s publicly owned grasslands requires the support of local government. PES can provide herders with the financial incentive to invest in biodiversity and pasture improvement. With PES and improved biodiversity can come additional opportunities for income diversification through monitoring and eco-tourism activities, amongst others. Possible PES programs under this component will include: i) carbon sequestration in pastures; iii) herd reduction towards carrying capacity; iii) protection of landscapes; and iv) hydrological functions related to the quality, quantity or timing of freshwater flows.