Herders in Mongolia.

Mongolian pastoral herders represent one of the world's last remaining nomadic cultures.

This series depicts the daily lives of some families living in the Rashaant region, 600 km west of Ulaanbaatar, in early spring 2016.

This ancient lifestyle is under threat: the impact of climate change, with the increase of droughts and extreme cold, and overgrazing have dramatically affected herders whose cattle numbers and livelihood have declined. As a result, many of them have given up and now work in mining towns and urban areas.

Those who lost their herds and have no professional skills often end up in the Ger-districts, slums in the outskirts of Ulaanbaatar and other urban centres where people still live in traditional herder tents, mostly in extreme poverty.

Most of those who stay on the steppe believe that pastoral nomadism is no longer sustainable. They send their older children away to live in the local village on weekdays to attend school, with the ambition of giving them an education that will get them jobs.

After a harsh winter, spring can be a difficult time for the herders. The young cattle, vulnerable to cold temperatures that can still drop to -25 degrees C at night, demands extra care.

Extended families live under the family ger, the round structure insulated with lamb wool felt, commonly known as a yurt.