Mongolia, a country located in Central Asia, is known for its extreme climate and distinct
natural landscape. However, in recent years, the effects of global warming have accelerated
permafrost degradation, leading to significant ecological and environmental disturbances.
This study was conducted to investigate these changes and contribute to the preservation
of Mongolia's pristine nature and unique environmental structure. Specifically, the research
focuses on the relationship between thawing permafrost and temperature on the eastern shore
of Lake Khuvsgul, considering natural factors such as vegetation and snow cover. In the study
area, 31 surface temperature monitoring devices were installed at 300-meter intervals across
four distinct types of ground cover: grassland, wetland, forest, and shrubland. These temperature
readings were then used to calculate various indices. The highest ground surface temperature
during the summer, 28.2°C, was recorded at point A-14, while the lowest winter temperature,
-19.31°C, was observed at point A-17, both located in grassland areas. The frost number, an
index used to measure thawing, registered values below 0.5 only at grassland points, indicating
a higher likelihood of permafrost presence at other locations. Additionally, the N-factor, which
reflects seasonal temperature variations, was found to be lower in forested areas and higher in
grassland areas. Points located in forests were notably cooler in the summer and warmer in the
winter compared to those points in grasslands. The surface temperature during winter was also
affected by the snow accumulation that year, becoming colder as the snow cover increased.
Furthermore, the N-factor decreased with thicker snow during the winter season. Snow cover
duration in 2022-2023 was 9-11 days longer compared to the previous year (2021-2022).
