Aeolian desertification and its causes in the Zoige Plateau of China’s Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau

Studies and efforts to control aeolian desertification in China have focused on the arid and semiarid lands in the north. However, the aeolian desertification that is occurring on the high-altitude Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau, which has a cold and humid climate, has received attention only in recent years. In this paper, we report the results of monitoring this aeolian desertification between 1975 and 2005 and of our analysis of its causes on the Zoige Plateau, which is located in the northeastern part of China’s Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau. Aeolian desertified lands expanded at a compound annual rate of 4.07% between 1975 and 2005. They expanded most rapidly between 1975 and 1990, at an annual rate of 7.73%. Factors responsible for this expansion include increasing temperature, decreasing precipitation, over-grazing, drainage of water systems, and land reclamation for agriculture. Increasing temperature, over-grazing, and the drainage of water systems were the key factors. The climatic variations between 1975 and 2005 were not sufficient by themselves to lead to aeolian desertification. Human disturbances such as over-grazing and drainage of water systems must thus have been primarily responsible for the observed changes, and human behavior must be adjusted to control the expansion of aeolian desertification and rehabilitate the desertified lands.     

Driving forces responsible for aeolian desertification in the source region of the Yangtze River from 1975 to 2005

The Yangtze River is the China’s longest river and the third-longest river in the world. The river’s source region in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau is especially sensitive to global environmental change because of its high elevation and cold environment. Under the influence of global warming, aeolian desertified land has expanded rapidly in this area. To assess the trends in aeolian desertification from 1975 to 2005, remote-sensing and GIS technology were used to monitor the extent of aeolian desertification in 1975, 1990, 2000, and 2005. The data sources included Landsat multi-spectral scanner images acquired in 1975, Enhanced Thematic Mapper (ETM+) images acquired in 2000, and Thematic Mapper (TM) images acquired in 1990 and 2005. Images recorded between June and October were selected, when vegetation grew well, because aeolian desertified land was more easily recognized during this period. Thematic maps, including land use and geomorphologic maps, were used as supplementary data. Aeolian desertification maps (1:100000) were produced for each year from the Landsat images through visual interpretation. The area of aeolian desertified land increased by 2,678.43 km² from 1975 to 2005, accounting for 8.8% of the total area of aeolian desertified land in 1975, an increase of 89.28 km² a⁻¹. Increasing mean annual temperature and the combination of a dry, cold, and windy climate in winter and spring were mainly responsible for the expansion of desertified land.     

Land use history and status of land desertification in the Heihe River basin

An analysis, over historical times, of the influence of natural factors such as climate, geological activity, existing landforms, and the activity of aeolian sands on the desertification of oases and other lands in the Heihe River basin of northwestern China revealed that desertification occurred more or less quickly according to whether the prevailing climate was cold or warm, respectively. In the 1990s, the area of desertified lands in the lower reaches of the Heihe River (Ejin region) was 29.1% greater than in the mid 1980s. However, the rate of desertification in the middle reaches of the Heihe River basin was relatively slower, only 9.4% from 1949 to 1990 (or 0.27% per year). Since 1990, the rate of desertification has been stable. By 2000, the total area of land desertification in the mid to lower reaches of the Heihe River basin was 13,508.4 km², or 11.8% of the region monitored. Of the total land desertification area, the regions of Linze, Gaotai, Sunan, Jiuquan, Jia Yuguan, and Jinta accounted for 1.70, 1.71, 1.43, 0.85, 0.28, and 9.39%, respectively, whereas the Ejin region’s 11,434.64 km² accounted for 84.65%, indicating that land desertification in the lower Heihe River basin was particularly severe. The causes responsible for the occurrence and development of land desertification in the Heihe River basin were analyzed.     

Driving forces of aeolian desertification in the source region of the Yellow River: 1975–2005

The source region of the Yellow River, located in the northeastern portion of the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau, plays a critical role in water conservation, biodiversity protection, and wetland conservation. Aeolian desertification of this area is an important concern. Remote sensing and GIS technology were employed to assess the trends in aeolian desertification from 1975 to 2005. The monitoring results showed that, aeolian desert land increased from 15,112 to 17,214 km² during 1975–2005. In addition, it was found that the area of aeolian desertification increased rapidly from 1975 to 1990, was stable from 1990 to 2000, and slightly decreased from 2000 to 2005. Increasing temperature, overgrazing, and drainage of wetlands have been key driving factors of aeolian desertification. Thus, to control the expansion of aeolian desert lands in the source region of the Yellow River and to rehabilitate existing desert areas, the priority should be given to altering human behavior in these areas.     

Rocky desertification and its causes in karst areas: a case study in Yongshun County,Hunan Province,China

Rocky desertification, a process of land degradation characterized by soil erosion and bedrock exposure, is one of the most serious land degradation problems in karst areas, and is regarded as an obstacle to local sustainable development. It is well known that human activities can accelerate rocky desertification; however, the effects of climate change on rocky desertification in karst areas are still unclear. This study focused on the effects of temperature and precipitation changes and human activities on rocky desertification in karst areas to determine the impacts of climate change and human disturbances on rocky desertification. Areas of different level of rocky desertification were obtained from Landsat TM (1987) and Landsat ETM+ (2000) images. The results show that, although the total desertification area increased by only 1.27% between 1987 and 2000, 17.73% of the slightly desertified land had degraded to a moderate or intense level, 2.01 and 15.71%, respectively. Meanwhile, between 1987 and 2000, the air temperature increased by 0.7°C, and precipitation increased by 170 mm. Statistical results indicate that the increase in precipitation was caused by heavy rainfall. In addition, under the interactive influences of heavy rainfall and temperature, the average karst dissolution rate was about 87 m³ km⁻² a⁻¹ during the 14 years in the study area. Further analysis indicated that rocky desertification was positively related with the increase in temperature and precipitation and especially with the heavy rainfall events. Climate change accelerated rocky desertification in the karst areas. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

2000-2010年鄂尔多斯地区沙漠化动态及其气候变化和人类活动驱动影响的辨识

以2000-2010年近10 a来鄂尔多斯地区沙漠化过程为研究对象, 在利用MODIS数据对沙漠化动态进行监测的基础上, 综合分析沙漠化逆转和发展地区气候变化和人类活动引起的NPP变化趋势, 定量评估近10 a来鄂尔多斯地区沙漠化动态及其与气候变化和人类活动间的关系. 结果表明: 2000-2010年间, 尽管鄂尔多斯地区沙漠化面积没有明显变化, 但是沙漠化程度呈现整体逆转的态势, 其中逆转的沙漠化土地面积达47 057 km²(占鄂尔多斯地区土地总面积的54.2%), 比发展的沙漠化土地面积高出近3倍. 气候变化是近10 a来鄂尔多斯地区沙漠化逆转的主导因素, 主要归因于2006年来降雨量的增加以及近10 a来春季风速的减小, 围封禁牧、 退耕还林(草)等政策的实施及其与有利气候条件的耦合进一步加快了区域沙漠化的逆转. 人类活动是导致近10 a来鄂尔多斯地区沙漠化发展的主要因素, 主要归因于部分地区生态保护政策的落实不力以及区域资源开发引起的环境破坏, 完全由人类活动引起的沙漠化发展主要分布鄂尔多斯的北部地区.     

遥感与GIS支持下的松嫩平原农牧交错区土地沙漠化调查研究

以1986年和2000年两个时期的LANDSATTM数据作为主要信息源,对松嫩平原农牧交错区的土地沙漠化现状、程度和发展趋势进行遥感解译和实地调查。分析研究结果表明:区域内的土地沙漠化总体上呈逆转趋势。主要表征为沙漠化土地面积减少,平均每年减少0.71×10⁴hm²,年递减率为0.8%;沙漠化程度渐轻,微度沙漠化土地增加92.9%,而轻、中、重度沙漠化土地减少了44.3%。该地区的土地沙漠化整体上以逆转趋势为主,还有一些局部区域沙漠化程度仍在发展,土地沙漠化的状况不容忽视。人类活动对区域土地沙漠化的影响比较明显,气候变化和地理环境也对土地沙漠化产生重要的影响,沙漠化土地类型由以草地为主转为以旱地为主。     

中国北方半干旱和半湿润地区沙漠化的成因

通过对我国北方半干旱和半湿润地区沙质荒漠化的综合分析后认为,第四纪期间不同时间尺度沙漠化的成因是有差异的。1万年前的更新世期间,人类对生态环境的破坏作用甚微,沙漠化的出现和逆转主要受地球轨道要素制约的万年以上时间尺度的全球气候变化控制;1万年来的全新世特别是近2000年的历史时期,人类对生态环境的作用已越来越大,但沙漠化仍然主要受制于千年和百年尺度的气候波动;20世纪以来的现代时期,沙漠化过程既受数十年或数年的干湿气候波动作用,也受到人类不合理的经济活动的影响,但后者是主要的。     

正蓝旗荒漠化遥感动态监测研究

以1987年和2000年两期TM影像数据为信息源,提取研究区两期荒漠化土地数据,建立数据库,获得正蓝旗1987～2000年土地荒漠化动态图,统计计算该区13年内不同程度荒漠化土地之间的转换面积,采用转移矩阵法建立1987～2000年土地动态转移数据矩阵,结果表明：该区荒漠化土地从1987年的5 593.8 km2发展到2000年的6015.3 km2,发展的平均速率为32.4 km2/年,土地荒漠化严重,以轻度和中度为主,部分极重度和重度荒漠化土地得到了好转,但新的更多的中度和轻度荒漠化土地在发展。在10～15年的时间尺度内,土地荒漠化程度加重与减轻存在明显的跃变递减过程,主要发生在北部平原地区,发展的动态趋势是整体扩展,局部逆转（主要在西部）。     

松嫩平原土地沙化现状与动态变化

松嫩平原沙地主要分布于松嫩平原的中西部地区,包括松嫩沙地和科尔沁沙地的一部分.沙地分布区处于半干旱地区,年降水量在350~450 mm,是松嫩平原生态环境变化的敏感地区.采用RS和GIS集成技术,对松嫩平原1986年和2001年的沙地进行遥感解译,结合野外调查,研究松嫩平原沙地分布的现状及其动态变化.结果表明,松嫩平原土地沙化有进一步发展的趋势,2001年沙地面积比1986年增加了861.1 km²,沙地平均每年以0.44%的速度扩展.其中,重度沙地变化率最大,中度沙地面积数量增加最多,轻度沙地略有减少.     

大柳塔煤矿采煤塌陷对土地沙漠化进程的影响

陕西神木大柳塔县地区煤炭资源的开发不可避免会产生地面塌陷、地裂缝、地下水位下降等矿山环境地质问题,地面塌陷是否会加剧土地沙漠化成为研究的热点问题。调查表明20年间整个研究区和其中的主要矿区土地沙漠化呈现出重度沙漠化土地逐年减少、轻度及非沙漠化土地面积逐年增大的一致演化趋势,采煤塌陷区土地沙漠化没有出现加剧的现象。通过4处采煤塌陷区及2处煤矿未开采区土壤垂向剖面研究,地表植被类型及覆盖度、植被根系垂向分布、土壤粒度、含水率、地下水位之间等关系表明,采煤塌陷对土地沙漠化进程没有明显的影响。年均415mm的降雨量基本满足采煤塌陷区沙生植被正常生长所需水份,其结论为该地区大规模煤炭资源开发土地沙漠化防治提供了科学依据。     

Landscape change and sandy desertification in arid areas: a case study in the Zhangye Region of Gansu Province, China

The Zhangye Region of Gansu Province is an important agricultural base in arid northwestern China. During the twentieth century, especially in the last five decades, the region has experienced sandy desertification. To document the status and causes of this deterioration, satellite images, meteorological and socioeconomic data to assess landscape change from 1993 to 2002 were interpreted and analyzed. The results show that during the intervening 9-year period the area of sandy lands has increased by 642.2 km², which consist of aeolian sand dune (357.1 km²) and potential sandy land (216.3 km²). Although the development and reversion of sandy desertification co-exist, the sandy desertification in this area seems serious and is attributable to the irrational use of water and land.     

基于RS和GIS的沙漠-黄土过渡带土地沙漠化分布与变化研究--以陕北榆林地区为例

选择毛乌素沙漠和黄土高原过渡带——陕北榆林地区作为研究区域,在地理信息系统支持下,对两个不同时期的遥感影像进行了解译,总结了该区10余年来沙漠化土地景观特征,分析了土地沙漠化空间格局的动态变化规律。结果表明,研究区内沙漠化土地形势仍十分严峻,沙漠化土地面积占土地总面积的67．7％,其空间分布具有明显的不平衡性,表现为西北部和中部区域沙漠化程度较为严重,土地沙漠化空间分布的不平衡性与该区自然因素和土地利用方式的空间差异有关。经过几十年的积极治理与改造,该区土地沙漠化过程逐渐趋于稳定。通过探讨土地沙漠化的成因,认为自然环境与人类行为的相互作用及在时间尺度上的矛盾造成了该区持续的土地沙漠化过程。     

中国沙漠化研究的理论与实践

中国的沙漠化研究的理论与实践在过去的十多年里取得了一些成果。据此,本文对沙漠化的概念、成因、过程、指征、后果、发展趋势及其治理等方面进行扼要的介绍。研究表明,沙漠化是一种人为活动与自然资源、环境不相协调所产生的以风沙活动为主要标志的土地退化过程。我国北方沙漠化土地的蔓延速率从50年代末期至70年代中期的年均1560km²发展到近十多年来的年均2100km²;实践证明,沙漠化土地作为一种土地资源可以通过合理的整治过程而恢复其原有的生产潜力。     

全新世气候变化与中国北方沙漠化

气候变化是中国北方地区荒漠化形成发展的主要控制因素。新生代以来伴随着青藏高原的隆升和内陆盆地的下降逐渐形成的气候格局造就了北方地区荒漠化土地的分布。北方西部内陆盆地以干旱气候为主要特征,中部高原是受季风系统中夏季风和冬季风的消长变化影响最为显著的地区,东部地区则以暖湿气候为主,受夏季风控制。第四系以来气候的波动则控制着沙漠化的发展或逆转。末次间冰期以来一直持续的大约以1500a为周期的气候振荡对中国北方地区的沙漠化有重要的影响或控制作用。全新世以来,北方地区约在10000aBP、8000aBP、5500aBP、4000aBP、3000aBP、1500aBP的沙漠化过程分别与北大西洋第7、5、4、3、2和1次的浮冰事件相应,沙漠化扩大过程与全球气候变化的主要事件相一致。十年尺度上气候变化的周期性振荡对沙漠化有一定的影响,至少在生态环境脆弱的敏感地带对沙漠化可以起到控制作用。年际尺度上,6.7a和3.38a气候变化周期控制着我国北方地区沙尘暴的发生。此外,北方不同地区近150a以来的人类活动对沙漠化的扩大起到了重要作用。     

五十年代以来毛乌素沙地荒漠化扩展及其原因

本文在毛乌素沙地景观分类、制图及景观动态研究的基础上,分析了50年代以来毛乌素沙地荒漠化发展状况及其时空特征,并对其扩展原因进行了分析和探讨。结果表明,50年代以来,该地区荒漠化整体上处于迅速扩展之中,只是某些局部地方植被得到一定程度的恢复;荒漠化扩展存在明显的空间和时间差异：西北部纯牧区扩展速度远远高于东部和南部半农半牧地区,70年代末至90年代初扩展速度远远低于50年代末至70年代末;荒漠化的迅速扩展主要是由于不合理的人类活动造成的,气候波动也有一定影响。     

The study of land desertification in transitional zones between the MU US Desert and the Loess Plateau using RS and GIS—a case study of the Yulin region

In this study, the land desertification of transitional zones of desert loess in the Yulin region (China) is studied from TM images in a geographical information system (GIS). It is found that the desertification in Yulin is still severe. The desertified land accounts for 67.7% of the total land areas. The distribution of desertified land shows obvious spatial imbalance, with severe desertification in northwestern regions and slight desertification in southeastern regions. This imbalance is related to the difference in physical factors and land-use pattern. The process of desertification in Yulin areas shows a steady and even reversed trend between 1987 and 1999, as a result of positive efforts. At the end of the paper the cause of desertification is discussed. It is believed that the interaction and confliction between the natural process and human activities may lead to the development of desertification.     

Study of Sand Dunes and Their Effect on Desertification of Cultivated Lands in Shaanxi Province, China Using Remote Sensing Techniques

About half of the arid and semi-arid lands in the world are deserts that comprise various types of aeolian sand dunes deposits. In Shaanxi Province, aeolian sand dunes cover considerable areas of the Yulin desert and northern Jinbian. Sand dunes are moving in the main wind direction and converting some agricultural area to wasteland. Remote sensing of sand dunes helps in the understanding of aeolian process and desertification. Remote sensing data combined with field studies are valuable in studying sand dunes, regional aeolian depositional history. In particular, active and inactive sand dunes of the north Shaanxi Province were studied using remote sensing and geographic information system. In this study, we describe the Landsat thematic mapper (TM) images, covering north Shaanxi Province, which were used to study the distribution, shape, size, trends, density and movement of sand dunes and their effect on desertification of cultivated lands. Estimation was made depending on soil erodibility factor (Ⅰ) and local climatic factor (C) during the period (June to September). The result indicates that soil erosion caused sand drift of 8.957 5, 7.03 ton for Yulin and Jinbian, respectively. The mean sand dunes movement rate were 4.37, 3.11 m, whereas, monthly sand dune advance rate were 1.092 5, 0.777 5 m, for the two locations, respectively. The study reveals that cultivated lands extended obliquely to the direction of sand dune movement are extremely affected, while other segments that extend parallel to the direction of the movement are not affected. Accordingly the north Shaanxi Province was divided into areas of different classes of potential risk. Moreover, blown sands and sand movement from neighboring highlands also affect the area of western desert.     

中国土地荒漠化的概念、成因与防治

荒漠化是指人类历史时期以来,由于人类不合理的经济活动和脆弱生态环境相互作用造成土地生产力下降,土地资源丧失,地表呈现类似荒漠景观的土地退化过程。在中国北方荒漠化形成因素中过度放牧占30．1％,过度农垦占26．9％,过度樵采占32．7％,水资源利用不当占96％,工矿交通建设中不注意环境保护占0．7％,在地区上以北方农牧交错及旱农地区荒漠化最为严重。要采取因地制宜措施和建立健全而完善的治理实施系统以达到生态、经济和社会三个效益的目的。     

黄土高原北部风沙区土地沙漠化问题及防治对策

本文所研究的黄土高原北部风沙区生态环境脆弱,加上长期以来人类不合理地利用资源,土地沙漠化问题日益严重。沙漠化土地已经以不同的等级类型不连续地散布在整个黄土高原的北部边缘,并有进一步由北向南推进的趋势。其中地表沙性物质基础和干旱多风的动力条件是其发生发展的基本条件,起决定作用;人为因素是外在条件,加速沙漠化的发展。黄土高原北部土地沙漠化的危害,在本区域的表现十分突出。不仅对当地经济的发展和人民生活有严重影响,更为严重的是该地区土地沙漠化的现状、形成及扩展,会使黄河流域土地沙漠化进一步向南推进,对整个黄土高原甚至我国整个北方地区的自然环境都有直接影响。黄土高原北部边缘土地沙漠化问题,不仅是当地经济振兴的严重障碍,而且威胁着整个黄土高原地区资源的开发与利用。因此,如何及时采取有效措施遏制其土地沙漠化势头就成为了一个迫在眉睫,并急需解决的问题。本文在搜集大量原始资料的基础上,对该区土地沙漠化的现状进行了总结,探讨了形成机理,并进一步分析了沙漠化的危害,最后提出了相应的防治对策。