Skip to main content
Log in

Status, causes and combating suggestions of sandy desertification in qinghai-tibet plateau

  • Published:
Chinese Geographical Science Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The Qinghai-Tibet Plateau is one of the major sandy desertification regions of China. Based on the recent investigation on sandy desertification, this paper analyses the status such as the type, area, distribution and damage of sandy land desertification in the plateau. Through the analysis on the factors affecting sandy desertification in the region’s natural and socio-economic systems as well as the processes and their interrelations, it can be concluded that sandy desertification in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau resulted from the combined actions of normal natural sand drift processes, natural sandy desertification processes caused by climatic changes and man-made sandy desertification caused by improper human activities. In addition, it also predicts the possible developmental trend including the increase in desertification area and the enhancement in desertification developmental degree with the exacerbation of the complex processes, and finally puts forward some strategic suggestions to combat sandy desertification in the coming years.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Bureau of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry of Nagqu Region in Xizang Autonomous Region, 1992. Land Resources of Nagqu Region in Xizang Autonomous Region [M]. Beijing: China Agriculture Press, 1–230. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Bureau of Land Management of Xizang Autonomous Region, 1992. Land Use in Xizang Autonomous Region [M]. Beijing: Science Press, 136–152. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Bureau of Land Management of Xizang Autonomous Region, 1994. Grassland Resource in Xizang Autonomous Region [M]. Beijing: Science Press, 389–391. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • CCICCD (China National Committee for the Implementation of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification), 1997. China Country Paper to Combat Desertification [M]. Beijing: China Forestry Publishing House, 20–21.

    Google Scholar 

  • DING Deng-shan, BAO Hai-sheng, MA Yong-li, 1998. Progress in the study of desertification in China [J]. Progress in Physical Geography, 22(4): 521–527.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • DONG Guang-rong, DONG Yu-xiang, LI Sen et al., 1995. The causes and development trend of desertification in the middle reaches of the Yarlung Zangbo River and its two tributaries in Xizang [J]. Chinese Geographical Science, 5(4): 355–364.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • DONG Guang-rong, DONG Yu-xiang, LI Sen et al., 1996. Research on the Combating Plan of Sandy Desertification in the Midstream of Yarlung Zangbo River Basin in Xizang [M]. Beijing: Chinese Environment Science Press, 1–161. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • DONG Guang-rong, GAO Shang-yu, JIN Jiong et al., 1993. Sandy Desertification and Its Combating Ways in Gonghe Basin [M]. Beijing: Science Press. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • DONG Guang-rong, JIN Jiong, SHAO Li-ye et al., 1991. Situation of land desertification in three river basin of Xizang [J]. Journal of Desert Research, 11(1): 59–61. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • DONG Yu-xiang, 1997. Preliminary study on evaluation of the economic loss of sandy desertification [J]. Journal of Desert Research, 17(4): 383–388. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • DONG Yu-xiang, 1999. A tentative research on the status and causes of sandy desertification in semi-arid interlacing farming-pastoral area in the temperate zone of Southern Tibet [J]. Resource Science, 21(1): 28–36. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • DONG Yu-xiang, KANG Guo-ding, 1994. Study on the wind erosion climatic erosivity in arid and semi-arid areas in China [J]. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation, 8 (3): 1–7. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • DONG Yu-xiang, LI Sen, DONG Guang-rong, 1999. Tentative study on the status and causes of sandy desertification in Yarlung Zangbo River Basin [J]. Scientia Geographica Sinica, 19(1): 35–41. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • DONG Yu-xiang, LIU Yi-hua, 1993a. Discussion on some problems of desertification study [J]. Scientia Geographica Sinica, 13(3): 242–249. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • DONG Yu-xiang, LIU Yi-hua, 1993b. Review on the study of sandy desertification and its prospect [J]. Geographical Research, 12(2): 94–102. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • DONG Yu-xiang, LIU Yu-zhang, LIU Yi-hua, 1995. Study on Some Problems of Sandy Desertification [M]. Xi’an: Xi’an Cartographic Press, 1–271. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • HE dong-ning, ZHAO Hong-bing, ZHANG Deng-shan et al., 1993. The characteristics of sand land and trend of sandy desertification in Qinghai Lake Basin [J]. Scientia Geographica Sinica, 13(4): 382–288. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • HOUEROU H N Le, 1996. Climate change, drought and desertification [J]. Journal of Arid Environment, 34: 133–185.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • HUANG Yi-zhi, GUO Dong-xin, ZHAO Xiu-feng, 1993. The desertification in the permafrost region of Qinghai-Xizang Plateau and its influences on environment [J]. Journal of Glaciology and Geocryology, 15(1): 52–58. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • JIN Jiong, DONG Guang-rong, SHAO Li-ye et al., 1991. The harms of wind-blowing sand and its control plan in Shiquanhe Town, Ali, Tibet [J]. Journal of Desert Research, 11(3): 20–28. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • JIN Jiong, DONG Guang-rong, SHAO Li-ye et al., 1994. Study on the problem of land desertification in Xizang [J]. Geographical Research, 13(1): 60–69. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • LI Bing-yuan, 1998. Some problems of desertification on Qinghai-Xizang Plateau [J]. Journal of Desert Research, 18(Suppl. 1): 13–18. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • LI Cheng-zun, SHUN Bo, LU Jing-hua, 1990. Investigation on the present status of desert and its development tendency in Qinghai Province [J]. Journal of Desert Research, 10(4): 38–45. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • LI Shi-jian, 1997. Desertification in Ruoergai Basin of north-eastern Qinghai-Xizang Plateau [J]. Mountain Research, 15(2): 119–123. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • LI Wei-liang, GONG Wei, 1996. Modeling the regional climatic changes in China by use the model of regional climate in China [A]. In: Article Editor Panel of 02 Item of 85-913 Project (ed.). Research Articles on Climatic Change Law and Its Modeling (Volume 2) [C]. Beijing: Meteorology Press, 255–272. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • LI Xin, CHENG Guo-dong, 1999. Modeling the influencing of perennial permafrost in high elevation region on global change [J]. Science in China (Series D), 29(2): 185–192. (in Chinese)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • LIN Zhen-yao, WU Xiang-ding, 1986. A preliminary analysis of the regularity in flood, drought and snowstorms in Tibetan Plateau during historical times [J]. Acta Meteorologica Sinica, 44(3): 257–264. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • LIN Zhen-yao, ZHAO Xin-yi, 1996. The Regional Characteristics of Temperature and Rainfall Changes on Qinghai-Xizang Plateau [J]. Science in China (Series D), 26(4): 354–358. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • LIU Yu-zhang, DONG Guang-rong, LI Chang-zhi, 1992. Study on some factors influencing soil wind erosion by wind tunnel experiment [J]. Journal of Desert Research, 12(4): 41–49. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • QIAN Zheng-yu, 1986. Investigation on the sand harm to Qinghai-Xizang Railway in Yangao area and sand control plan [J]. Journal of Desert Research, 8(2): 27–30. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • SHAO Li-ye, DONG Guang-rong, LU Fu-gen, 1988. Developmental and adverse processes of steppe desertification and law of vegetation succession in Gonghe Basin [J]. Journal of Desert Research, 8(1): 30–40. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • SUN Hong-lie, 1996. Formation and Evolution of Qinghai-Xizang Plateau [M]. Shanghai: Shanghai Science and Technology Press, 188–190. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • SUN Xue-ran, LIU Guang-kun, GAO Yuan-hong et al., 1988. Forest Resource in Qinghai [M]. Xining: Qinghai People’s Press, 1–26. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • TIGCAS (Tibetan Comprehensive Investigation Group of Chinese Academy of Sciences), 1984. Climate in Xizang [M]. Beijing: Science Press, 1–141. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • WU Xiang-ding, LIN Zhen-yao, 1981. Some characteristics of the climatic changes during the historical time of Qinghai-Xizang Plateau [J]. Acta Meteorologica Sinica, 39(1): 90–97. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • YAO Tan-dong, QIN Da-he, TIAN Li-de et al., 1996. Temperature and rainfall changes in 2ka of Qinghai-Xizang Plateau [J]. Science in China (Series D), 26(4): 348–353. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • ZHA Yong, GAO Jay, 1997. Characteristics of desertification and its rehabilitation in China [J]. Journal of Arid Environment, 27: 419–432.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • ZHANG Pi-yuan, 1996. Climatic Change in China History [M]. Jinan: Shandong Science and Technology Press, 485–509. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • ZHANG Sheng-bang, CHEN Jun-ming, 1998. Regionalization of desertification control in Qinghai Province [J]. Journal of Desert Research, 18(3): 283–288. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • ZHANG Xin-shi, 1993. Vegetation-climate classification system for global change studies in China [J]. Quaternary Sciences, (2): 157–169. (in Chinese)

  • ZHAO Zong-ci, 1996. The possible influences of greenhouse effect on China climate in future 50 years [A]. In: Article Editor Panel of 02 Item of 85-913 Project (eded.). Research Articles on Climatic Change Law and Its Modeling (Volume 3) [C]. Beijing: Meteorology Press, 170–178. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • ZHEN Du, 1996. Study on the physical regional system of Qinghai-Xizang Plateau [J]. Science in China (Series D), 26(4): 336–341. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Additional information

Foundation item: Under the auspices of the Key Project of Science and Technology Bureau of Tibet Autonomous Region

Biography: LIU Yi-hua (1961–), female, a native of Danfeng of Shanxi Province, associate professor, specialized in economic geography and land use. E-mail: liuyihua96@sohu.com

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Liu, Yh., Dong, Gr., Li, S. et al. Status, causes and combating suggestions of sandy desertification in qinghai-tibet plateau. Chin. Geograph.Sc. 15, 289–296 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11769-005-0015-9

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11769-005-0015-9

Key Words

CLC number

Navigation