Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The study of land desertification in transitional zones between the MU US Desert and the Loess Plateau using RS and GIS—a case study of the Yulin region

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Environmental Geology

Abstract

In this study, the land desertification of transitional zones of desert loess in the Yulin region (China) is studied from TM images in a geographical information system (GIS). It is found that the desertification in Yulin is still severe. The desertified land accounts for 67.7% of the total land areas. The distribution of desertified land shows obvious spatial imbalance, with severe desertification in northwestern regions and slight desertification in southeastern regions. This imbalance is related to the difference in physical factors and land-use pattern. The process of desertification in Yulin areas shows a steady and even reversed trend between 1987 and 1999, as a result of positive efforts. At the end of the paper the cause of desertification is discussed. It is believed that the interaction and confliction between the natural process and human activities may lead to the development of desertification.

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

Access this article

Log in via an institution

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

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1.
Fig. 2.
Fig. 3.
Fig. 4.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Dong G, Gao Sh, Jin J (1988) The formation, evolvement and causes of MU US Desert. Sci China B6:633–642

    Google Scholar 

  • Gao J (2001) Assessment of the effectiveness of desertification rehabilitation measures in Yulin, north-western China using remote sensing. Int J Remote Sensing 22(18):3783–3795

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mishra JK (1994) Technical note study of desertification process in Aravalli environment using remote sensing techniques. Int J Remote Sensing 15(1):87–94

    Google Scholar 

  • Sha Zh, Zeng Y, Ma H (2000) Study of desertification in Longyangxia reservoir using RS and GIS. J Desert Res 20(1):51–54

    Google Scholar 

  • Sun J, Ding Zh, Yuan B (1995) Desertification in MU US region during 2000 BP. Arid Land Geogr 18(1):36–41

    Google Scholar 

  • Wu W (2001) Study on process of desertification in MU US sandy land for last 50 years. J Desert Res 21(2):164–169

    Google Scholar 

  • Wu B, Ci L (1999) Developing stages and causes of desertification in the MU US sandland. Chinese Sci Bull 44(9):845–849

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgement

This work was supported by the key project of the Chinese Geology Survey Bureau (grant no. 200112300004). The authors are also grateful to Profs. Tang Guoan, Wang Feiyue and Qiu Shaopeng for their assistance and suggestive ideas in RS and GIS work.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 510640, Guangzhou, China

    Li Zhang & Bin Xia

  2. Department of Geology, Northwest University, 710069, Xi'an, China

    Leping Yue

Authors
  1. Li Zhang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Leping Yue
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Bin Xia
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Li Zhang.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Zhang, L., Yue, L. & Xia, B. The study of land desertification in transitional zones between the MU US Desert and the Loess Plateau using RS and GIS—a case study of the Yulin region. Env Geol 44, 530–534 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00254-003-0788-z

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00254-003-0788-z

Keywords

Search

Navigation