Inland wetlands offer numerous ecosystem services, including water filtration and storage, habitat for migratory birds, and support for diverse wildlife. In the semiarid landscapes of Mongolia, isolated patches of permafrost beneath these wetlands play a crucial role in maintaining these services. They also serve as essential water sources and forage pastures for livestock and agricultural activities. This study examines the effects of anthropogenic activities (mainly livestock grazing) on vegetation and soil properties in permafrost-affected wetlands and adjacent upland grasslands in the Khurkh River Valley. The composition and coverage of vegetation at 35 study sites were assessed through triplicate quadrat harvests, clipped at the soil surface. Pasture degradation was classified as non-degraded, slightly degraded, or moderately degraded based on the proportion of deterioration indicator species. To analyze spatial variability in soil properties, samples were collected from 43 cores (0-30 cm) and analyzed for physicochemical characteristics. The effects of pasture degradation on surface soils varied by reference soil groups, including Phaeozems, Kastanozems, Chernozems, Cryosols, and Histosols. In Phaeozems and Kastanozems, livestock trampling and compaction in moderately degraded pastures tended to decrease water infiltration and accelerate organic matter loss, although these effects were not statistically significant. As a result, soil carbon and nitrogen pools may decrease as degradation intensifies. By contrast, Cryosols underlain by permafrost experienced strong freeze-thaw processes, which promote organic matter accumulation even in pasture-degraded conditions. These differing responses among soil groups highlighted the importance of soil-specific management strategies, including pasture rotation regimes of different durations, to conserve the valuable wetland and grassland ecosystems.