Sandstorms and desertification

Sandstorm is a frequently occurred disastrous weather in northern China. The increasing occurrence frequency recently, especially the much more frequently occurred sandstorms with high intensity in the spring of 2000 have caused great loss to national economy. The combination of strong wind, exposed sandy soil on ground surface and unstable air current constitutes the necessary conditions for the sandstorms. However, the accelerated desertification process resulting from irrational human economic activities is responsible for the accelerated sandstorms. The effective measures to mitigate sandstorm lie in strengthening desertification control and eco-environmental protection.