Aeolian processes and landscape change under human disturbances on the Sonid grassland of inner Mongolian Plateau, northern China

Based on remote sensing monitoring, observations and experiments in wind tunnel and field, aeolian processes and landscape change of the Sonid grassland of Inner Mongolia Plateau in northern China were explored in this paper. Aeolian process was very strong and seriously affected by human disturbances on the Sonid grassland of Inner Mongolia Plateau. Sand transport rate of grassland increased quickly with the increase of desertification severities, especially at the very severe desertification stage of sand sheet emergence. Human disturbances can seriously destroy balanced-state soil surface to induce new soil wind erosion over and over again, in particular at the higher wind speeds. Spatial variation of wind erosion was strongly related to land use/cover change, and finally led to landscape change, while emergence of erosional bare patches might be the key link, especially around herdsmen’s settlements and along roads or fences. Avoiding grazing before windy season is very important for decreasing soil wind erosion, not only to protect vegetation cover, but also to reduce trampling-inducing destruction of the soil surface structure. Prohibition of overgrazing must be strictly obeyed under any possible climate conditions, and reclamation should be more careful. Reducing human disturbances by selective emigration and eco-compensation mechanism would be considered as a priority for reducing local wind erosion.