Impact of Urban Influence and Population Pressure on Cooperative Pasture Management: Insights from a Public Goods Game Approach with Mongolian Pastoralists

Communal grassland ecology in pastoral regions in Mongolia has traditionally been sustained through voluntary cooperation, without the need for penalties or incentives. However, socio-economic shifts may impact this cooperation, complicating ecological conservation. This study investigates how urban proximity and rising population pressure influence voluntary cooperation. We conducted public goods game experiments with 150 groups comprising 600 pastoralists across five regions. Econometric analysis revealed that proximity to urban areas had a negative effect, while population density positively influenced cooperation. Additionally, high contributions were maintained through simple instructions, without penalties or incentives. These findings suggest that engaging local communities fosters voluntary contributions to public goods, although these contributions may decline as traditional norms weaken under urban influence. This study highlights the importance of tailoring communal resource management policies to local socio-economic conditions.