Advances in Earth Science ›› 2004, Vol. 19 ›› Issue (1): 63-070. doi: 10.11867/j.issn.1001-8166.2004.01.0063

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DYNAMIC CHANGES AND DEVELOPMENTAL TRENDS OF THE LAND DESERTIFICATION IN TIBETAN PLATEAU OVER THE PAST 10 YEARS

LI Sen 1,2 , YANG Ping 3, GAO Shangyu 4,CHEN Huaishun 3, YAO Fafen 3   

  1. 1. Department of Tourism, Resources and Environment, Foshan University, Foshan 528000, China;2. State Key Laboratory of Loess and Quaternary Geology,Institute of Earth Environment,CAS, Xi'an 710054, China;3. Cold and Arid Regions Environmental and Engineering Research Institute, CAS, Lanzhou 73000, China;4. Center of Desert Research, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
  • Received:2003-05-27 Revised:2003-08-08 Online:2004-01-20 Published:2004-02-01

LI Sen , YANG Ping , GAO Shangyu,CHEN Huaishun , YAO Fafen. DYNAMIC CHANGES AND DEVELOPMENTAL TRENDS OF THE LAND DESERTIFICATION IN TIBETAN PLATEAU OVER THE PAST 10 YEARS[J]. Advances in Earth Science, 2004, 19(1): 63-070.

The theory of ecological datum plane was employed in establishing the classification and grade system of desertification lands in Tibetan Plateau,which includes four grades with ten types as well as one grade with three types of potential desertification lands. In addition, some research methods and technique such as remote sensing, field survey and GIS were used. The desertification dynamic changes during the 1990s in Tibetan Plateau were studied. The results show that the area of desertification lands has increased 2151.68km2 in Tibetan Plateau over the past 10 years. The upgrading ratio of desertification is 2.3% and the dynamic degree is 0.154%, falling into the slowly development type. As the types of extremely sever, sever and medium desertification lands respectively increased 23.13% and 1.61%, reaching 2650.30km2 in area, the desertification degree in the region is obviously getting worse. The desertification lands vary greatly in their development and reversal. Different desertification regions in Tibetan Plateau, like developmental regions, stable regions and island shape reversal regions for desertification can be recognized. The climatic changes may be a main natural factor resulting in the desertification increase in Tibetan Plateau. The unreasonable human activities such as excessive reclamation, grazing and firewood collecting accelerated the desertification in this plateau. It is predicted that the desertification in Tibetan Plateau will still develop slowly until 2005, even until 2010. Therefore, Tibetan Plateau is suffering from desertification or even more intense desertification. The basic strategies of desertification prevention were put forward. Comprehensive protection of lands from excessive use, synthetical prevention and cure of desertification lands, and reasonable exploitation can effectively reverse the desertification, which will produce harmonious development in the plateau.

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