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Journal of Desert Research ›› 2020, Vol. 40 ›› Issue (5): 101-111.DOI: 10.7522/j.issn.1000-694X.2020.00054

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A review on the aeolian desertification in the Otindag Sandy Land

Yuanyuan Zhaoa,2(), Haiyan Wua, Guodong Dinga,2(), Guanglei Gaoa,2, Wenzhu Tua   

  1. a.School of Soil and Water Conservation / Key Laboratory of State Forestry Administration on Soil and Water Conservation / b. Yanchi Research Station in the Mu Us Desert,Beijing Forestry University,Beijing 100083,China
  • Received:2020-02-15 Revised:2020-05-22 Online:2020-09-28 Published:2020-09-28
  • Contact: Guodong Ding

Abstract:

The Otindag Sandy Land is reported to be one of the most seriously desertified areas in China. In this paper, we reviewed 220 published peer-reviewed studies conducted in the Otindag Sandy Land since 1980s and discussed existing shortcomings and challenges. Indicators, major methods and key finding were summarized from three aspects including the aeolian desertification and its driving forces, the eco-environmental impacts, and the sustainable use of desertified lands in the Otindag Sandy Land. The number of related papers increased abruptly from 2003. Results indicated that the aeolian desertification of the Otindag Sandy Land intensified from late 1980s to 2000, but showed a reverse trend after 2000. Climate change is the key factor triggering regional desertification. Overgrazing and vegetation construction are the direct and dominant human factors for the expanding or shrinking of the desertified lands. The aeolian desertification had impacts on dust weather and various ecosystem services such as forage provision, erosion control. Studies on plant adaptability and evaluations of desertification control technology provided theory support for local desertification combating. Future research needs to further focus on government’s needs to accurately propose scientific questions, enrich research scales and scientific methods, in order to correctly understand the complex desertification process, and to provide scientific support for the sustainable use of desertified lands in drylands.

Key words: the Otindag Sandy Land, aeolian desertification, eco-environmental effects, desertification combating, sustainable development

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