Journal of Ecology and Rural Environment ›› 2010, Vol. 26 ›› Issue (4): 301-305.doi: CNKI:SUN:NCST.0.2010-04-005

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Evolution and Causes of Aeolian Desertification of the Middle Reaches of Yarlung Zangbo River,China

YUAN  Lei, SHEN  Wei-Shou, LI  Hai-Dong, ZHANG  Hui, ZOU  Chang-Xin, SUN  Ming   

  1. Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology
  • Received:2010-02-07 Online:2010-07-25 Published:2011-04-01
  • Contact: SHEN Wei-shou Nanjing Institute of Environmental Sciences,Ministry of Environmental Protection E-mail:shenweishou@163.com

Abstract: A study was carried out on development of aeolian desertification in the valley of the middle reaches of Yarlung Zangbo River in the past 18 years(1990-2008) with the aid of RS and GIS technologies.It was found that the area of aeolian desertified lands in this region increased by 5 267 hm2 from 1990 to 2008,and the total area of aeolian desertified land reached to 81 842 hm2 in 2008.In the first 10 years(1990-2000),it increased by 3 085 hm2 averaging by 308 hm2 annually and in the next 8 years(2000-2008) by 2 182 hm2averaging by 273 hm2 annually.Obviously,the rate slowed down in expansion in the late years.Wind erosion is the main driving factor of aeolian desertification in this region,and increased precipitation and large scaled afforestation in Xigaze and the southern section of the mountains beginning from 2000 are the main reasons for the slowed down aeolian desertification rate.

Key words: middle reaches of Yarlung Zangbo River, aeolian desertified land, evolution tendency, remote sensing, Tibet

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