Dust Intensity Across Vegetation Types in Mongolia: Drivers and Trends

Abstract

Dust storms, characterized by their rapid movement and high intensity, present significant challenges across atmospheric, human health, and ecological domains. This study investigates the spatiotemporal variations in dust intensity (DI) and its driving factors in Mongolia from 2001 to 2022, using data from ground observations, reanalysis, remote sensing satellites, and statistical analyses. Our findings show an increasing DI trend at approximately two-thirds of the monitoring stations, with DI rising at an average rate of 0.8 per year during the study period. Anthropogenic factors dominate as the primary drivers in regions such as Forest, Meadow Steppe, Typical Steppe, Desert Steppe, and the Gobi Desert. For example, GDP significantly impacts Forest and Meadow Steppe areas, contributing 25.89% and 14.11% to influencing factors of DI, respectively. Population emerges as the key driver in Typical Grasslands (20.77%), Desert Steppe (26.65%), and the Gobi Desert (37.66%). Conversely, climate change is the dominant factor in the Alpine Meadow regions of southern–central Hangay Uul, with temperature (20.69%) and relative humidity (20.67%) playing critical roles. These insights are vital for Mongolian authorities: promoting green economic initiatives could mitigate DI in economically active Desert Steppe regions, while climate adaptation strategies are essential for climate-sensitive Alpine Meadows. The findings also provide valuable guidance for addressing environmental issues in other arid and semi-arid regions worldwide.