Mapping the dynamic degree of aeolian desertification in the Shiyang River Basin from 1975 to 2010

The Shiyang River Basin is an area of China that is severly affected by aeolian desertification. Thus, we established an aeolian desertified land classification system for visual interpretation, which classified the Aeolian Desertified Land(ADL)into Slight(SL), Moderate(M), Severe(S) and Extremely Severe(ES) according to the severity. Imagery of Landsat series(acquired in 1975, 1990, 2000 and 2010) were employed to monitor the status, trend and spatial pattern of aeolian desertification, especially to map the overall spatial pattern of ADL dynamics by proposing a new Dynamic Index(DI) in the Shiyang River Basin from 1975 to 2010. The results show a generally decreasing trend from 1975 to 2010. However, the ES ADL kept increasing throughout the whole study period. Moreover, the area of ADLs with different severity increased with increasing severity, this S and ES ADLs dominated characteristics of aeolian desertification was contrary to those sandy lands in eastern China where was dominated by SL and M ADLs. Among the three sub-periods of 1975-1990, 1990-2000 and 2000-2010, the first two were the restoration stage, while the last one was the expansion stage of aeolian desertification. Moreover, all these new ADLs occurred in Minqin County during 2000-2010, indicating a detrimental increase of aeolian desertification in Minqin, and the concentration of ADLs toward the lower reaches of the Shiyang River Basin.The DI works well to identify areas with desertification changes no matter the sub-periods. Moreover, DI results disclosed a stable status of aeolian desertification, and the DI decreased with increasing ADL severity. These results indicate that it will be difficult to control the expansion of aeolian desertification in Minqin County over an extended period of time.Thus, we suggest effective and long-lasting aeolian desertification control programs in the Shiyang River Basin, especially in Minqin, and SL and M ADLs should have priority in facilitating a quick reversal of aeolian desertification.