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Dust Storm as an Environmental Problem in North China

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Abstract

Dust storms in north China, which are associated with land deterioration from increasing human pressures, have intensified over the past decades. Although synoptic meteorological conditions and sedimental environments dictate the occurrence of dust storms, their increase in frequency in north China due to human activities can be expected. Sand stabilization and control projects may be compromised by the pursuit of short-term economic returns and lack of systematic and integrated understanding of land degradation. Two actions are recommended as positive responses to escalating dust storms in north China. A policy of long-term ecologically sustainable development strategies is needed as well as a scientific research initiative combining biophysical and socioeconomic aspects.

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Acknowledgments

The authors are indebted to Dr. Michael A. Fullen of University of Wolverhampton, an anonymous reviewer, and the editor for their valuable comments on the manuscript. We are very pleased to acknowledge Dr. Paul B. Frederic and Elizabeth A. Frederic of the University of Maine at Farmington for their help in improving our English grammar and syntax during their visit to China. This research was supported by the Knowledge Innovation Project of Institute of Geographical Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (grants 39900021 and 40201006).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Geographical Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 3 Datun Road, Beijing 100101, P.R. China

    Yufu Chen & Qiangguo Cai

  2. Institute of Resources Science, Key Laboratory of Environmental Change and Natural Disaster Ministry of Education of China, Beijing Normal University, 19 Xinjiekouwai Street, Beijing 100875, China

    Haiping Tang

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  1. Yufu Chen
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  2. Qiangguo Cai
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Correspondence to Haiping Tang.

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Chen, Y., Cai, Q. & Tang, H. Dust Storm as an Environmental Problem in North China . Environmental Management 32, 413–417 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00267-003-0042-1

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