Spatiotemporal characteristics of seed rain and soil seed bank of artificial Caragana korshinskii Kom. forest in the Tengger Desert, China

Vegetation restoration and reconstruction are effective approaches to desertification control and achieving social and economic sustainability in desert areas.However,the self-succession ability of native plants during the later periods of vegetation restoration remains unclear.Therefore,this study was conducted to bridge the knowledge gap by investigating the regeneration dynamics of artificial forest under natural conditions.The information of seed rain and soil seed bank was collected and quantified from an artificial Caragana korshinskii Kom.forest in the Tengger Desert,China.The germination tests were conducted in a laboratory setting.The analysis of species quantity and diversity in seed rain and soil seed bank was conducted to assess the impact of different durations of sand fixation(60,40,and 20 a)on the progress of vegetation restoration and ecological conditions in artificial C.korshinskii forest.The results showed that the top three dominant plant species in seed rain were Echinops gmelinii Turcz.,Eragrostis minor Host.,and Agropyron mongolicum Keng.,and the top three dominant plant species in soil seed bank were E.minor,Chloris virgata Sw.,and E.gmelinii.As restoration period increased,the density of seed rain and soil seed bank increased first and then decreased.While for species richness,as restoration period increased,it gradually increased in seed rain but decreased in soil seed bank.There was a positive correlation between seed rain density and soil seed bank density among all the three restoration periods.The species similarity between seed rain or soil seed bank and aboveground vegetation decreased with the extension of restoration period.The shape of the seeds,specifically those with external appendages such as spines and crown hair,clearly had an effect on their dispersal,then resulting in lower seed density in soil seed bank.In addition,precipitation was a crucial factor in promoting rapid germination,also resulting in lower seed density in soil seed bank.Our findings provide valuable insights for guiding future interventions during the later periods of artificial C.korshinskii forest,such as sowing and restoration efforts using unmanned aerial vehicles.

Effects of wind speed,underlying surface,and seed morphological traits on the secondary seed dispersal in the Tengger Desert,China

The maintenance of sand-fixing vegetation is important for the stability of artificial sand-fixing systems in which seed dispersal plays a key role.Based on field wind tunnel experiments using 11 common plant species on the southeastern edge of the Tengger Desert,China,we studied the secondary seed dispersal in the fixed and semi-fixed sand dunes as well as in the mobile dunes in order to understand the limitations of vegetation regeneration and the maintenance of its stability.Our results indicated that there were significant variations among the selected 11 plant species in the threshold of wind speed(TWS).The TWS of Caragana korshinskii was the highest among the 11 plant species,whereas that of Echinops gmelinii was the lowest.Seed morphological traits and underlying surface could generally explain the TWS.During the secondary seed dispersal processes,the proportions of seeds that did not disperse(no dispersal)and only dispersed over short distance(short-distance dispersal within the wind tunnel test section)were significantly higher than those of seeds that were buried(including lost seeds)and dispersed over long distance(long-distance dispersal beyond the wind tunnel test section).Compared with other habitats,the mobile dunes were the most difficult places for secondary seed dispersal.Buried seeds were the easiest to be found in the semi-fixed sand dunes,whereas fixed sand dunes were the best sites for seeds that dispersed over long distance.The results of linear mixed models showed that after controlling the dispersal distance,smaller and rounder seeds dispersed farther.Shape index and wind speed were the two significant influencing factors on the burial of seeds.The explanatory power of wind speed,underlying surface,and seed morphological traits on the seeds that did not disperse and dispersed over short distance was far greater than that on the seeds that were buried and dispersed over long distance,implying that the processes and mechanisms of burial and long-distance dispersal are more complex.In summary,most seeds in the study area either did not move,were buried,or dispersed over short distance,promoting local vegetation regeneration.

Topographic differentiations of biological soil crusts and hydraulic properties in fixed sand dunes, Tengger Desert

Biological soil crusts （BSCs） play an important role in surface soil hydrology. Soils dominated with moss BSCs may have higher infiltration rates than those dominated with cyanobacteria or algal BSCs. However, it is unnown whether improved infiltration in moss BSCs is accompanied by an increase in soil hydraulic conductivity or water retention capacity. We investigated this question in the Tengger Desert, where a 43-year-old revegetation program has promoted the formation of two distinct types of BSCs along topographic positions, i.e. the moss-dominated BSCs on the interdune land and windward slopes of the fixed sand dunes, and the al- gal-dominated BSCs on the crest and leeward slopes. Soil water retention capacity and hydraulic conductivity were measured using an indoor evaporation method and a field infiltration method. And the results were fitted to the van Genuchten-Mualem model. Unsaturated hydraulic conductivities under greater water pressure （〈-0.01 MPa） and water retention capacities in the entire pressure head range were higher for both crust types than for bare sand. However, saturated and unsaturated hydraulic conductivities in the near-saturation range （〉-0.01 MPa） showed decreasing trends from bare sand to moss crusts and to algal crusts. Our data suggested that topographic differentiation of BSCs significantly affected not only soil water retention and hydraulic conductivities, but also the overall hydrology of the fixed sand dunes at a landscape scale, as seen in the reduction and spatial variability in deep soil water storage.

Optically stimulated luminescence dating of sandy deposits from Gulang county at the southern margin of the Tengger Desert, China

Aeolian deposits from the deserts in northern China have been used for palaeoenvironmental research to understand aeolian sedimentology and its dynamic connection to past climate conditions. The Tengger Desert in China is sensitive to the waxing and waning of the monsoonal system. In response to past climate change, the southern margin of the Tengger Desert has evolved significantly since the last glacial period. However, previous attempts to date aeolian deposits in this region were mainly based on radiocarbon dating, which has problems when applied to aeolian deposits. Moreover, sedimentary records are limited. Accordingly, past aeolian activity in this desert remains poorly understood. In the present study, we dated sand samples from Gulang county at the southern margin of the Tengger Desert using optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) to understand the history of aeolian activity in this region. Our samples represented well-sorted aeolian sands and sandy loess. Aeolian sands are evidence of dune field buildup and sparse vegetation cover whereas sandy loess is evidence of improved stabilization of sand dunes resulting from ameliorated vegetation cover. Certain samples showed a decline in the equivalent dose (D e ) values when successive integration intervals were applied, which resulted from unstable OSL signals from non-fast components in the initial part of the decay curve. In order to obtain reliable D e estimates, we investigated component-resolved and different background subtraction approaches, and compared the resultant D e estimates. We adopted the early background subtraction method to derive D e values. Luminescence chronologies and sedimentary records indicated that sand dunes accumulation occurred before 10 ka, and sandy loess developed between 9.5 and 7.6 ka when sand dunes were stabilized as a result of increased effective moisture levels. The transition between sand dune mobilization and stabilization emphasizes the significance of an effective moisture threshold in controlling aeolian activity. Mobilization of sand dunes at ~2.3 ka might be related to an increased aridity during the Late Holocene.

Female Reproductive Cycles of Phrynocephalus przewalskii (Lacertilia:Agamidae) in the Tengger Desert,China

The timing of reproduction can significantly affect an offspring＇s fitness, thereby also influencing the fitness of the parents, especially in species inhabiting extreme environments, such as deserts. Female reproductive cycles in Phrynocephalus przewalskii were studied from April to September 2008. Significant cycles of gonadal volume were found in all studied populations and the cycles were similar among the various populations. Females began vitellogenesis in April and contained oviductal eggs form May to June. Gonad volume decreased significantly in July and reached minimum volume from August to September. The follicular growth was negatively correlated with increasing precipitation and temperature in all populations. Hatching occurs during summer and early fall, when most of the annual rainfall occurs. Mean clutch size based on all populations was 2.7 ± 0.9 SE （n = 71）.

Characteristics of plant calcium fractions for 25 species in Tengger Desert

Little attention has been paid to plant calcium fractions in the desert.To address the characteristic of the calcium fractions of desert plants,we collected 25 plant species in Tengger Desert,observed the calcium crystals using an optical microscope and determined water soluble calcium,acetic acid soluble calcium,and hydrochloric acid soluble calcium.To do so,we used sequential fractionation procedures to probe the relationships among different functional groups,different growth forms,or different successional stages.The results showed that the psammophyte,the late successional plants,and the drought-resistant shrub and semi-shrub all held considerable calcium oxalate crystal compared to the grassland plants,the early successional plants,and the perennial herb.With the proceeding succession,the acetic acid soluble calcium decreased gradually,and the hydrochloric acid soluble calcium increased gradually.The perennial herb had more water soluble calcium,while shrub held greater hydrochloric acid soluble calcium.The grassland plants held more water soluble calcium,while psammophyte had greater hydrochloric acid soluble calcium.This implies that the plants that are relatively sensitive to drought hold more calcium ion,while the drought-resistance plants hold more calcium oxalate.Thus,the plant calcium components are in close relation to plant drought-resistance,and of important significance in plant physiology of the desert.

Grain-size Characteristics and Climate Variability in TMS5e Sequence of Tumen Section in Southern Tengger Desert,Northwestern China

The TMS5e sequence from the Tumen section, at the southern edge of Tengger Desert in the northwestern China, is synchronous with Marine Isotope Stage 5e （MIS5e）. It consists of 16 layers of aeolian dune sands, 11 layers of lacustrine loess-like facies, and 5 layers of lacustrine facies. The results of grain-size analysis shows that the pa- laeo-mobile dune sands, palaeo-fixed to semi-fixed dune sands and loess-like sandy loams are mainly composed of sands, ranging from 70% to 96%; their silt contents ranged from 4% to 20%, and their clay contents ranged from 1% to 5%; the climate under which the aeolian dune sands were deposited is similar to that under which modern mobile dune sands form, which is caused by the dominance of the cold, dry East Asian winter monsoon. In contrast, the lacustrine loess-like facies and lacustrine facies had a lower sand contents than those of the three aeolian dune sands, but have higher silt and clay contents, most of their sand content ranged from 30% to 60%, their silt contents ranged from 35% to 55%, and their clay contents ranged from 6% to 20%. The lacustrine loess-like facies and lacustrine facies formed under the influence of the warm, humid East Asian summer monsoon based on their similarity with modern sediments. The grain-size indicator Mz （mean grain diameter） and the SC/D value in the TMS5e sequence indicate climatic insta- bility at the southern edge of the Tengger Desert during MIS5e, with at least 14 fluctuations between a warm, humid climate and a cold, dry climate, divided into five stages： TMS5e5 （139 kyr to 129.3 kyr B.P.）, TMS5e4 （129.3 kyr to 124 kyr B.P.）, TMS5e3 （124 kyr to 119.5 kyr B.P.）, TMS5e2 （119.5 kyr to 116.5 kyr B.P.）, and TMS5el （116.5 kyr to 113.7 kyr B.P.）. These correspond roughly to MIS5e5, MIS5e4, MIS5e3, MIS5e2, and MIS5el, respectively, in the GRIP ice core data.

Characteristics of soil water repellency after sand dune stabilization in the Tengger Desert

Soil water repellency （SWR） is one of the most important physical properties of soils found all over the world, and it may have significant effects on the eco-hydrological processes of land ecosystems. In this study, the Capillary Rise Method was used to measure the SWR in the artificial vegetation area in Shapotou, located in the southeast area of the Tengger Desert, Ningxia Prov- ince of western China. The variation of the soil water repellency among different minor topographies, different depths and differ- ent particle sizes was analyzed. The results of the study indicate that the SWR shows distinct changes with vegetation restoration, and it increases with an increase in the period of dune stabilization. In the same vegetation area, the SWR of soils in inter-dune depressions or windward slopes is slightly greater than that in crest or leeward slopes. The SWR of 0-3 cm topsoil is significantly greater than that in the 3-6 cm soil layer. The SWR decreases with an increase in grain size and the differences among the SWRs of different sieved soil fractions are found to be significant. There is also a significantly positive correlation between the SWR and the proportion of soils with grain sizes of 0-0.05, 0.05-0.01 and 0.01-0.15 mm, and a significantly negative correlation between the SWR and the propotion of soils with grain sizes exceeding 0.15 mm. The increase of SWR in revegetation areas may depend on the continuous depositing of atmospheric dust on the stabilized dune surface as well as the formation of biological soil crusts, especially on the formation of algal and lichen crusts. Enhanced SWR influences the effectiveness of water use of sand plants in- habiting the sand dunes.

Geomorphologic patterns of dune networks in the Tengger Desert,China

Dune networks are widely distributed in the world＇s deserts,which include primary ridges and secondary ridges.However,they have not been sufficiently studied in a systematic manner and their origins and spatial and morphological characteristics remain unclear.To provide information on the geomorphology of dune networks,we analyze the software geomorphologic patterns of the dune networks in China＇s Tengger Desert using matrix and laboratory to process remote-sensing images.Based on analysis of image features and their layout in a topographic map,we identify two types of dune networks （square and rectangular dune networks） with different size and morphological structures in the Tengger Desert.Four important geomorphic pattern parameters,ridge length,spacing,orientation and defect density,are analyzed.The length of primary ridges of dune networks decreases from northwest of the desert to the southeast,resulting an increasing spacing and a transition from rectangular dune networks to square dune networks.Wind regime and sediment supply are responsible for the variation in pattern parameters.We use the spacing and defect density data to estimate the construction time of dune networks and found that the dune networks in the Tengger Desert formed since about 1.3 ka BP.

Dynamic changes of a typical linear dune in the Tengger Desert

The dynamical processes of a typical linear dune including morphological features, dune ridge swing range and crest height were investigated at different monitoring periods in the hinterland of Tengger Desert. The results indicated that the development of linear dune depends on not only the northwesterly prevailing wind, but also the winds from northeast and southwest. The dune ridge swayed along its fundamental strike and took on an eastward movement gradually. The original dune strike was NW70° on August 3, 1994, and then changed to NE15° on April 21, 2001. The dune crest increased by 1.8 m longitudinally, which manifested strong wind-blown sand activities in this region. Wind erosion frequently occured at the bottom of sand dune, while sand accumulation appeared on its mid-upper section. The mean wind erosion depth was 25 cm on the bottom of linear dune and the height difference of the control points on the dune’s ridge was 1.13 m. Although the linear dune swayed laterally, the horizontal displacement of its ridge moved eastward 5.8 m averagely. The swing range of the dune crest line is very distinct, with a maximum value of 13.2 m. The highest site on the K-profile swayed on both sides of the dune ridge and the heights were 19.88 m at the control point K5, 19.61 m at K6 and 19.05 m at K7, respectively. The results indicated that the lateral swing of the linear dune was distinct under the northwesterly wind and it moved toward east gradually.

Contents and spatial distribution patterns of heavy metals in the hinterland of the Tengger Desert,China

The desert in northern China is one of important sources of loess and one significant source of material for sandstorms in Asia.The sand/dust that is transported from desert when sandstorms occur can destroy the growth of crops,cause serious losses and great harm to the economic construction and life safety,and cause natural environment pollution.Hence,it is very important to deepen the research into heavy metals in surface deposits at vulnerable ecological region of arid land of northern China to guide local industrial and agricultural development and improve environmental protection.In this research,10 heavy metal elements(Cr,Mn,Fe,Co,Ni,Cu,Zn,Cd,Pb,and Th)were tested and analyzed in 33 soil sample sites collected from the hinterland of the Tengger Desert,northern China.The results showed that the average abundance of Th exceeded its background soil value of China by more than 5.2 times,which suggests that the Tengger Desert is polluted by Th.In addition,based on principal component analysis,spatial differentiation,and correlation analysis,we identified the source of element with a coefficient of variation in abundance of greater than 0.5 or exceeding the background soil value of China.Principal component analysis and correlation analysis showed that the sources of heavy metals of Cr,Mn,Fe,Co,Ni,Cu,and Cd were similar,while those of Th and Zn were different.Moreover,based on the contents and spatial distribution characteristics of those heavy metal elements,we found that the formation of heavy metal elements enrichment areas is caused by industrial pollution,development of irrigated agricultural,geological,and geomorphic conditions,and the sedimentary environment in the study area.Our result can provide information on the environmental background values of soils in the hinterland of the Tengger Desert.

Effects of an oasis protective system on aeolian sediment deposition:a case study from Gelintan oasis,southeastern edge of the Tengger Desert,China

Desert-oasis ecotones are boundary areas between oases and desert ecosystems.Large efforts to control sediment and stabilize these boundaries depend on understanding sedimentary processes,especially aeolian transport and deposition.Previous studies on aeolian sediment deposition have focused primarily on a single land surface type or a single engineering approach.Few studies have considered deposition in a multi-layer oasis protective system.A complete oasis protective system consists of an outer bare sand area,a sand barrier zone,a shrub and herbaceous plant zone,and a farmland shelter zone.This study used sedimentary analysis to quantify grain-size characteristics in samples from the four land surfaces under different types of weather conditions in the Gelintan oasis of the Tengger Desert,the fourth largest desert in China.The results showed that aeolian sediment deposition decreased from the outer bare sand area through the oasis protective system and into the interior.The four land surface types showed significant differences in deposition volume(P<0.05).Deposited sediment showed gradual decrease in dominant grain-size from sand to silt,but sediment deposited during dust weather contained a larger coarse-grained fraction.From the outer desert to the inner oasis,transport mechanisms shifted from saltation(sand)to suspension(silt and smaller)in non-dust weather.During dust weather,deposition primarily occurs from near-surface aeolian sand transport with saltation.Sediment sorting decreased from exterior to interior zones of the protective system while skewness and kurtosis showed no significant change(P<0.05).These results can help inform strategies for stabilizing and protecting desert-oasis ecotones in this region and other localities.

Wind and sand control by an oasis protective system: a case from the southeastern edge of the Tengger Desert, China

Wind and sand control are important factors in combating desertification and protecting oases.An oasis protective system can provide these benefits,but quantitative research on protection effects has been lacking to date.This research describes an oasis protective system in the southeastern border of the Tengger Desert.The system consists of a sand barrier belt,a shrub and herbaceous plant belt,and a farmland shelter belt.The system was compared to a bare dunes area as the control zone.The study investigated windproof effect,sediment transport,and erosion through field observations.Results showed that the roughness of the shrub and herbaceous plant belt,farmland shelter belt,and sand barrier belt were increased compared with bare dunes.The shrub and herbaceous plant belt provided the highest windproof effect values for the same wind velocity measurement height,and the windproof effect values for different protective belts were as follows:shrub and herbaceous plant belt>farmland shelter belt>sand barrier belt.The sand barrier belt provided effective wind and sand control at heights from 0 to 50 cm above the ground.The total sediment transport for each protective belt is as follows:bare dunes>sand barrier belt>shrub and herbaceous plant belt>farmland shelter belt.The sediment transport decreased exponentially as the height increased.In the bare dunes and protective systems,the sediment transport is mainly within 30 cm of the ground surface.The wind erosion intensity for this protective system was as follows:bare dunes>sand barrier belt>shrub and herbaceous plant belt>farmland shelter belt.This research offers quantitative evidence for how oasis protective systems can effectively intercept sand and prevent erosion in oases.The results of this study can be applied in similar regions.

Vegetation and climate history of Anggertu Lake in the Tengger Desert over the last millennium

Reconstructing climate change of the last millennium is important to understand the current relationship between human-social activities and natural environmental changes. Pollen assemblages, losson-ignition(LOIo rg at 550°C), and grain size data collected from sediment core AGE15 A from the center of Anggertu lake(eastern Tengger Desert, Inner Mongolia) were used to reconstruct the regional vegetation and climate history of the last millennium. Desert or steppe desert, dominated by A rtemisia and Amaranthaceae, expanded around this region during the period of 988–1437 AD indicating a generally dry climate condition with two short humid periods(1003–1082 AD and 1388–1437 AD). These two wet periods were characterized by relatively high vegetation cover and bioproductivity, as reflected by high pollen concentrations and LOIo rg values. Increases in steppe and meadow vegetation communities(Poaceae, Cyperaceae) and vegetation cover during 1437–2015 AD suggest a wetting trend, which was also deduced from a gradual trend towards fine grains and higher lake biological productivity as reflected by LOIo rg values. An unstable lacustrine environment was identified via frequent fluctuations in pollen concentration and grain size after 1842 AD. This study also recorded a relatively dry Medieval Warm Period(MWP, 1082–1388 AD) and a wet Little Ice Age(LIA, 1437–1842 AD). Increased Amaranthaceae and high abundance of Poaceae may be related to overgrazing and agricultural activities that took place during those time periods. The evolution of vegetation in the lake region was influenced by climate change and human activities. These results could provide more fundamental support for studies of the environmental evolution of the Tengger Desert.

Bacterial diversity and distribution in the southeast edge of the Tengger Desert and their correlation with soil enzyme activities

The nature of microbial communities and their relation to enzyme activities in desert soils is a neglected area of investigation. To address this, the bacterial diversity and distribution and soil physico-chemical factors were investigated in the soil crust, the soil beneath the crust and rhizosphere soil at the southeast edge of the Tengger Desert, using the denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis of 16S rRNA genes amplified by the polymerase chain reaction. Phylogenedc analysis of the sequenced DGGE bands revealed a great diversity of bacteria. The Proteobacteria, consisting of the α, β, and γsubdivisions, were clearly the dominant group at all depths and in rhizosphere soil. Analysis of the enzyme activities indicated that the rhizosphere soil of Caragana korshinskii exhibited the highest protease and polyphenol oxidase activities, and in the soil crust there were increased activities of catalase, urease, dehydrogenase and sucrase. The bacterial community abundance closely correlated with soil enzyme activities in different soils. The presence of Cyanobacteria correlated with significant increases in protease, catalase and sucrase in the soil crust, and increased urease in the rhizosphere soil of Artemisia ordosica. The occurrence of Acidobacteria was associated with significant increases in urease, dehydrogenase, and sucrase in the rhizosphere soil of C. korshinski. The presence of γ-Proteobacteria correlated with a significant increase in polyphenol oxidase in the rhizosphere soil ofA. ordosica. The study indicated a close relationship between the soil bacterial community and soil enzymes, suggesting the necessity of further investigations into bacterial function in this desert ecosystem.

Experimental Studies on the Natural Restoration and the Artificial Culture of the Moss Crusts on Fixed Dunes in the Tengger Desert,China

Soil microbiotic crusts cover extensive portions of the arid and semiarid regions of the world and play an important ecological role.Moss is one of the major components in the crusts.The reproduction and establishment of the mosses are crucial to the formation of moss crusts.Bryum argenteum is the dominant species of moss crusts in the Shapotou region(104°57′E,37°27′N)of the Tengger Desert.In search for the characteristics of natural reproduction and establishment of the mosses,10 quadrates(10×10 cm for each)were obtained by removing the moss crusts in different positions of fixed dunes.These 10 quadrates were observed for 3 years depending on the species’components and coverage.Meanwhile,in the third year,two quadrates(1×1 m for each)were set up in a crustabsent area and two different experiments of the asexual reproduction(broadcast planting and offshoots)were conducted,respectively.The reproductive process was observed under the microscope,and the morphological indicators of the new individuals were measured.The results were compared with the ones from indoor experiments using the same methods.All the results showed the following:(1)70%of the quadrates(i.e.,7 of the 10 quadrates)were recovered within 3–4 years;thus,the quick recovery might be due to the dispersal and reproduction of the fragments of stems and leaves of B.argenteum;(2)as for the two quadrates in the artificial reproduction test,the new plants occupied the uncovered space of the quadrates in 1 month,and there were two main reproduction approaches,one of which was that the stems continually branched and produced young plants,and the other was that the young plants and the fragments of the stems and leaves repeatedly and extensively reproduced protonema,which finally developed into a large number of new plants;(3)the reproductive characteristics were identical,though the protonema in the field was more robust and had more branches than the ones indoors.

Late Glacial and Holocene vegetation history and paleoclimate of the Tengger Desert,northwestern China

Sediments spanning the last 30000 yr BP wereobtained from two sections in the southern part of the Teng-ger Desert, northwestern China (3810′46″N, 10245′53″E). The pollen assemblage suggested a Picea forest domination under a wetter and cooler environment from 27580 to 23510 yr BP. During the following period from 23510 to 21880 yr BP a Cyperaceae meadow occurred under a wet and coldclimate. Wetter and cooler conditions returned and a Piceaforest re-occupied this region between 21880 and 20910 yrBP. From 20910 to 15590 yr BP a steppe under a dryenvironment dominated the region. The first temperatureincrease started at ca.15590 yr BP. The pollen assemblagecovering the period between 15590 and 10890 yr BP can be divided into six minor zones, suggesting that the vegetation compositions changed rapidly under unstable climate.Between 10710 and 10370 yr BP the climate became cold and dry again. The climatic conditions became warmer and more humid between 10260 and 9140 yr BP. From 8450 to 7950 yr BP a steppe landscape under a dry climate occupied this region. Between 7950 and 7290 yr BP climate seemed more humid. The following period from 7290 to 5670 yr BP wasgenerally warm. The period between 5670 and 3510 yr BPwas characterized by dramatic climatic oscillations.Relatively cold intervals appeared around 7760 and 7380,6490—6290, 5670—5010, 4470—3510 yr BP. Twopronounced dry events occurred in 6290—5670 and 5010—4470 yr BP with a marked wet spell from 3510 to 3000 yr BP.

Palaeolake and palaeoenvironment between 42 and 18 kaBP in Tengger Desert,NW China

Comprehensive field investigations and laboratory analyses show that palaeolakes, including fresh-mesohaline water Megalake Tengger and other semi-connected, isolated water bodies, during late Pleistocene covered an area of more than 20000 km2, which is more than half of the Tengger Desert in NW China. Stratigraphic correlation and chronological evidence indicate that before ca. 42000 aBP the area was more arid. The palaeolakes started to develop around 40000 uncal. 14C aBP but until 37000 14C aBP their scope was limited. High water levels established from 35000 14C aBP lasted until 22000 14C aBP. Lake levels regressed between 22000 and 20000 14C aBP but transgressed from 20000 to 18600 14C aBP. Subsequently, water level declined further and the Megalake Tengger finally desiccated at around 18000 14C aBP. Megalake Tengger possessed a fresh-mesohaline water property, implying that the regional precipitation increased significantly. During the period of Megalake Tengger, the climate was warmer-humid

Reconstruction of precipita- tion in the last 140 years fromtree ring at south margin of the Tengger Desert, China

Based on the tree ring width index of Pinus tabulaeformis, precipitation in the last 140 years was recon-structed at south margin of the Tengger Desert. The results indicated that there were obvious fluctuations of dry-wet changes in precipitation: two wet periods occurred during 1868―1876 and 1932―1939, and two dry periods during 1877―1894 and 1924―1932, however, the years 1887 and 1888 were a little wet. There were small changes in precipita-tion during 1895―1923 and 1940―2000. As compared to the average, the maximum increasing range of precipitation amounted to 56% during the wet periods, and 42% during the dry periods. And the range of variability of precipitation exceeded 30% in 19 years. There was no obvious consistent drying or wetting trend in the last 140 years. But since 1940 fluctuating scope of precipitation tended to be smaller, while the frequency of the fluctuation tended to be larger. Power spectrum analyses suggested that precipitation of south mar-gin of the Tengger Desert had significant periodicities of 2.46―2.64 a and quasi periodicity of 11.67 a.

Late Pleistocene/Holocene wetland events recorded in southeast Tengger Desert lake sediments,NW China

The area along the eastern and southeastern margins of the Tengger Desert, NW China, which is sensitive to the summer monsoon variations, was selectedfor studying the environmental conditions surrounding the transition between Paleolithic foragers and Neolithic farmer/pastoral- ists. Short cores were obtained from four lake basins in the southwestern Tengger using a hand-driven piston coring device. Proxies from these cores were supplemented by ra- diocarbon ages obtained from lake sediment cores, shoreline features and spring mound deposits. Together these records provide evidence of millennial-scale climate change events from the Pleistocene-Holocene transition to the present. Lake/wetland events, representing periods of more intensive summer monsoon, occur in the records at ～12.7-11.6, ～10.1, ～9.3, ～8.0, ～5.4, ～1.5, and ～0.8 ka BP. They do suggest that century- to millennial-scale climatic cycles are characteristic of the Holocene in the southeastern Tengger Desert although the chronology must be considered extremely tentative.