Mongolia’s rapidly warming climate is transforming some of the most southerly permafrost landscapes in the Northern Hemisphere, altering ecosystems, water systems and traditional pastoral livelihoods across large areas of the country.

Researchers and local communities report visible changes in northern Mongolia, where frozen ground that has remained intact for centuries is increasingly thawing as temperatures rise. The shift is affecting wetlands, rivers, grazing lands and wildlife habitats in a country whose environment has long been shaped by cold climatic conditions.

Although Mongolia is not commonly associated with the Arctic, scientists note that many of its environmental processes closely resemble those found in higher northern latitudes. The country experiences severe winters and contains extensive permafrost regions. Ulaanbaatar, the national capital, is widely recognized as the coldest capital city in the world, while substantial portions of Mongolia lie within the Arctic Ocean drainage basin.

Permafrost, the layer of ground that remains frozen for at least two consecutive years, plays a critical role in maintaining the stability of Mongolia’s northern landscapes. It regulates water movement, supports wetland systems and helps sustain vegetation that serves as grazing land for livestock and habitat for wildlife.

Researchers working in northern Mongolia have documented growing evidence that these frozen soils are becoming increasingly unstable. As permafrost thaws, the physical structure of the land changes. Ground subsidence, shifts in drainage patterns and the formation or disappearance of wetlands are becoming more common in affected regions.

Photographic evidence from northern Mongolia shows horses grazing near wetlands shaped by permafrost-dependent hydrological systems. Scientists say such landscapes are particularly sensitive to rising temperatures because their ecological balance depends on the persistence of frozen ground beneath the surface.

Changes in permafrost are also influencing freshwater ecosystems. Lakes, streams and wetlands that rely on frozen soils to regulate water flow are experiencing alterations in size, depth and seasonal behavior. Researchers say these shifts have implications for biodiversity, water availability and ecosystem resilience.

Bird populations that depend on wetland habitats are among the species affected by environmental changes. Water bodies in northern Mongolia provide breeding and feeding grounds for migratory birds and other wildlife. Any modification to hydrological conditions can influence the ecological functions these habitats perform.

The impacts extend beyond natural ecosystems and are increasingly being felt by rural communities. Livestock herding remains a central component of Mongolia’s economy and cultural identity. Many families depend on seasonal grazing patterns that have developed over generations in response to local environmental conditions.

Herders in permafrost regions report noticeable changes in grazing conditions as warming temperatures alter pasture quality and water availability. According to local observations, areas that once remained moist and productive throughout the grazing season are becoming more vulnerable to drying and ecological stress.

Among domestic animals, yaks are considered particularly vulnerable to warming conditions. The animals depend on cool temperatures, reliable water supplies and moist pastures. Rising temperatures and changing environmental conditions are placing additional pressure on herding systems that rely on yak populations for food production and income generation.

Herders have reported concerns about the effects of changing pasture conditions on milk production. Yak milk is used to produce a range of traditional foods, including airag and cheese, which form part of local diets and economic activity in rural communities. Reduced pasture quality can affect both livestock health and agricultural productivity.

Researchers emphasize that scientific monitoring alone cannot fully capture the scale and significance of environmental transformation underway in Mongolia’s permafrost regions. Local communities possess generations of accumulated knowledge about seasonal cycles, snow cover, water behavior and ecological conditions.

According to Vera Kuklina, an associate research professor in the Department of Geographical Sciences at the University of Maryland, local and Indigenous communities have observed changes in frozen landscapes long before many of those trends appeared in scientific datasets. She said knowledge developed through long-term interaction with these environments offers valuable insights into ongoing environmental change.

Kuklina noted that integrating scientific research with community observations provides a broader understanding of how climate-related changes affect both ecosystems and human societies. Such collaboration, she said, helps identify impacts that may not be immediately visible through conventional measurements alone.

Scientists studying Mongolia’s cryosphere increasingly view the country as an important location for understanding broader patterns of climate change across cold-region environments. Because Mongolia sits near the southern limit of extensive Northern Hemisphere permafrost, changes occurring there may provide insight into how frozen landscapes respond to sustained warming.

Researchers continue to monitor shifts in vegetation, hydrology and soil stability as temperatures rise. The observations contribute to a growing body of evidence showing that climate-driven changes in permafrost are affecting environmental systems far beyond the Arctic itself.

For Mongolia’s northern regions, the consequences are already becoming visible across landscapes where frozen ground has long shaped ecological processes and human livelihoods. As permafrost continues to thaw, scientists and local communities are documenting changes that are altering the relationship between land, water, wildlife and traditional pastoral life.

On Sicily’s southeastern coast, the Vendicari Nature Reserve has become a destination for visitors seeking an alternative to the island’s more heavily developed tourist areas.

Located south of the city of Syracuse, the protected wetland is known for its coastal landscapes, birdlife and agricultural surroundings. The reserve, which was preserved from development, serves as an important stopover for migratory species traveling between Europe and Africa.

For travelers staying near the reserve, the experience is often defined by contrasts. Rural farm buildings stand alongside citrus groves, while coastal lagoons and beaches remain largely untouched compared with many Mediterranean tourism centers.

One visitor’s stay in a traditional Sicilian farmstead, or baglio, offered a close view of the area’s natural environment. Initially perceived as isolated and basic, the accommodation was situated on the edge of the reserve among lemon orchards and within sight of the coastline.

The sounds heard during stormy weather on arrival, initially mistaken for traffic and farm animals, took on a different meaning once conditions improved. With clear skies and calmer weather, the noise proved to be a combination of waves breaking along the shore and the calls of flamingos inhabiting the reserve’s wetlands.

The presence of flamingos has become one of Vendicari’s defining attractions. The reserve’s lagoons and shallow lakes provide habitat for a range of bird species, with migratory populations gathering seasonally in significant numbers.

At the heart of the reserve are two wetland areas that support diverse wildlife. During migration periods, visitors can observe flamingos, wading birds and other species that rely on the protected ecosystem for feeding and resting.

Beyond its ecological significance, the surrounding landscape reflects Sicily’s agricultural history. Lemon cultivation remains an important feature of the region, with orchards extending across large sections of the countryside bordering the reserve.

Local lemon varieties are widely recognized for their quality and abundance. The fruit is commonly used in regional cuisine and forms part of the area’s agricultural identity. Visitors frequently encounter groves stretching between coastal paths and rural settlements.

The reserve itself offers walking routes through wetlands, scrubland and coastal terrain. Trails pass areas of wild vegetation including fennel and seasonal flowers, creating a landscape that changes noticeably throughout the year.

Scattered across the countryside are traditional bagli, fortified agricultural compounds that historically served both residential and defensive purposes. These structures were designed around central courtyards and provided protection for crops, livestock and farming equipment.

Many date back to periods when rural communities faced security concerns and isolated farms were vulnerable to theft and attacks. While some buildings have been restored, others remain partially abandoned, offering visible reminders of the region’s agricultural past.

The combination of natural habitats and historic architecture has helped distinguish Vendicari from other destinations in Sicily. Conservation measures have preserved extensive stretches of coastline and wetland, allowing wildlife and traditional rural landscapes to coexist.

For visitors, the appeal often lies in that balance. A walk through citrus groves can lead to birdwatching sites overlooking lagoons, while centuries-old farm buildings provide insight into the social and economic history of southeastern Sicily.

As tourism continues to grow across the Mediterranean, Vendicari stands out as an example of how protected landscapes can support both conservation and recreation. The reserve’s wetlands, coastal scenery and agricultural heritage continue to attract travelers seeking a quieter side of Sicily, far from the island’s busiest resorts.

At sunset, the reserve’s combination of open water, citrus orchards and migratory birdlife offers a reminder of the environmental value that led to its protection and continues to define its character today.

A growing number of rewilding projects across Britain are reporting significant ecological improvements, prompting calls for greater recognition of the approach within national nature recovery strategies.

One of the projects highlighting those gains is Heal Somerset, a rewilding site in southwest England that has documented increases in wildlife populations and habitat diversity since restoration efforts began three years ago.According to Heal Rewilding, the charity behind the project, monitoring data show measurable changes in biodiversity across the site.

The number of small mammal species recorded has increased from three to five over the period, while a range of habitats has developed as former agricultural land has been allowed to recover.The project is supported by more than 250 volunteers who contribute to ecological surveys, removal of barbed-wire fencing and other restoration activities.

Community engagement forms a central part of the initiative, with the charity working alongside 15 underserved groups involved in managing and maintaining the site.Participants include people living with dementia, individuals with additional needs and those experiencing financial hardship.

Schools and youth organizations also take part in educational and conservation activities.The site has become an increasingly popular destination for visitors seeking access to natural landscapes undergoing ecological recovery.

Heal Rewilding founder Jan Stannard said many older visitors describe the experience as a reminder of landscapes that were once more common in Britain before decades of agricultural intensification.“An increasing number of people are coming either as visitors or camping and if they are older they are being transported back to a childhood experience of abundance that they will not get in the farmed countryside,” Stannard said.

She said visitors frequently report hearing insects and bird species that have become less common in many agricultural areas.“They are hearing grasshoppers and crickets in the day and birds such as linnet or greenfinch, which are much less common now,” she said.

The ecological transformation has also been evident to staff working on the project since its early stages.Dan Hill, a 25-year-old rewilding ranger who joined Heal Somerset three years ago, recalled arriving when large areas of the site were dominated by rye grass.“I remember seeing the monoculture of rye grass swaying in the wind and thinking, crikey, it’s desolate,” Hill said.He said the pace of ecological change had exceeded his expectations.

“Three years has flown by and so much has changed. It’s incredibly exciting. I’m learning so much,” he said.Hill described the project as evidence of the capacity of ecosystems to recover when human intervention is reduced and natural processes are allowed to re-establish themselves.“Seeing what nature wants to do – it’s very hopeful,” he said.

He added that public response has been an important part of the project’s success.“When you get people coming to the site and they say: ‘I just want to keep coming back, I’ve never seen a site like this before,’ it really puts a smile on your face,” Hill said.Among the features attracting attention are natural wetland systems created by beavers.

The rodents have become increasingly common across eastern Somerset and are widely viewed by conservationists as important ecosystem engineers because of their ability to create ponds and wetlands that benefit a range of species.Heal Rewilding said its latest report was motivated in part by what it viewed as limited coverage of rewilding initiatives in the 2023 UK-wide State of Nature report.

The charity argues that while rewilding has expanded rapidly across Britain, evidence documenting outcomes has not always been systematically collected or incorporated into broader assessments of biodiversity recovery.

“We were struck by how little attention was given to rewilding, despite the extraordinary growth of the movement,” Stannard said.“There are now hundreds of rewilding projects across Britain and many report seeing remarkable ecological changes.”She said the sector must increasingly rely on scientific monitoring and measurable outcomes if rewilding is to become a more prominent component of environmental policy.

“Stories alone are not enough,” Stannard said. “If rewilding is to be fully recognised within national nature recovery strategies, we need robust evidence of its impact.”

The report forms part of a broader effort by conservation groups to demonstrate how rewilding projects can contribute to biodiversity restoration while also delivering social and educational benefits through community participation and public access to recovering landscapes.