Utilizing sediment grain size characteristics to assess the effectiveness of clay–sand barriers in reducing aeolian erosion in Minqin desert area,China

The clay–sand barriers in Minqin desert area,China,represent a pioneering windbreak and sand fixation project with a venerable history of 60 a.However,studies on evaluating the long-term effectiveness of clay–sand barriers against aeolian erosion,particularly from the perspective of surface sediment grain size,are limited and thus insufficient to ascertain the protective impact of these barriers on regional aeolian activities.This study focused on the surface sediments(topsoil of 0–3 cm depth)of clay–sand barriers in Minqin desert area to explain their erosion resistance from the perspective of surface sediment grain size.In March 2023,six clay–sand barrier sampling plots with clay–sand barriers of different deployment durations(1,5,10,20,40,and 60 a)were selected as experimental plots,and one control sampling plot was set in an adjacent mobile sandy area without sand barriers.Surface sediment samples were collected from the topsoil of each sampling plot in the study area in April 2023 and sediment grain size characteristics were analyzed.Results indicated a predominance of fine and medium sands in the surface sediments of the study area.The deployment of clay–sand barriers cultivated a fine quality in grain size composition of the regional surface sediments,increasing the average contents of very fine sand,silt,and clay by 30.82%,417.38%,and 381.52%,respectively.This trend became markedly pronounced a decade after the deployment of clay–sand barriers.The effectiveness of clay–sand barriers in erosion resistance was manifested through reduced wind velocity,the interception of sand flow,and the promotion of fine surface sediment particles.Coarser particles such as medium,coarse,and very coarse sands predominantly accumulated on the external side of the barriers,while finer particles such as fine and very fine sands concentrated in the upwind(northwest)region of the barriers.By contrast,the contents of finest particles such as silt and clay were higher in the downwind(southeast)region of the sampling plots.For the study area,the deployment of clay–sand barriers remains one of the most cost-effective engineering solutions for aeolian erosion control,with sediment grain size parameters serving as quantitative indicators for the assessment of these barriers in combating desertification.The results of this study provide a theoretical foundation for the construction of windbreak and sand fixation systems and the optimization of artificial sand control projects in arid desert areas.

Ecological Significance of Wind Power Generation for the Control of Desertification——A Case Study of Hexi Corridor in Gansu Province

Wind energy density was calculated based on average wind speed and air density,and the distribution of wind energy density and its relation with the distribution of sandstorm in Hexi Corridor in Gansu Province were revealed. Moreover,the ecological effect of wind power development on the reduction of local sandstorm and sand flow was estimated. The results show that if the maximum rotor power coefficient of a wind-driven generator is 0. 5,the forward movement speed of sand body( or desert)( 8 827 km × 1 m × 1 m) will reduce by 1 m every year through the development and conversion of wind energy resources in Hexi Corridor. If the proportion of exploitable wind energy resources is 50%,the forward movement speed of sand body( or desert)( 4 414 km × 1 m × 1 m) will decrease by 1 m every year. It is clearly seen that wind power industry has obvious effects on the control of sandstorm and sand flow. Wind energy resources in Hexi Corridor have great development potential,and wind power industry can bring both ecological and economic benefit to people.

Environmental Conditions of Barchan Dune and Barchan Chain-A Case Study from the Hexi Desert Area of Gansu

[Objective] The paper was to discuss why the top of tall barchan dunes and barchan chains widespread in single prevailing wind area had not been leveled by wind erosion. [Method] Based on the preliminary survey of distribution status,the morphological characteristics and environmental conditions of barchan dunes and barchan chains in Hexi desert area of Gansu were investigated in details. The significance of difference between samples and significance of correlation between indicators were examined via variance test. [Result] Barchan dunes and barchan chains in Hexi desert area of Gansu distributed at the leeward direction of desert fringe,generally in patch distribution. The distribution area was gravelly beach or cohesive gravel beach,with broader dune slack; winds in distribution area of barchan dunes and barchan chains blew obviously from one direction,while winds at other directions were light or occasionally strong but with low frequency;the barchan dune in the desert fringe of Hexi desert area of Gansu was relatively tall,while barchan chain was even more taller and larger. Coincidence or separation of the dune peak and the sand ridge might be related to distribution frequency of dominant prevailing wind or wind at opposite direction and the observation seasons.[Conclusion]Studying top stability of barchan dune has an important academic value in revealing blowing sand movement rule at desert fringe,invasion of sand flow,and expansion of desert.

Comparisons between Movement Speed of Main Types of Dunes:A Case Study of Desert Areas in Hexi Region of Gansu Province

In desert areas in Hexi region,11 barchan dunes,6 chains of barchan dunes,6 pyramid dunes,6 parabolic dunes and 6 accumulated sand-belts were chosen to study their movement speed based on images obtained by Google Earth in various periods.The results show that among the dunes,the movement of the barchan dunes was the fastest,followed by the chains of barchan dunes,and only the tops of the pyramid dunes swayed,while the parabolic dunes and accumulated sand-belts hardly moved forward.The higher the barchan dunes(or the chains of barchan dunes) were,the slower the movement was.On the contrary,the higher the pyramid dunes were,the faster the swing was.There was a positive correlation between the movement speed of the barchan dunes and the average wind speed of sandstorms.

Research Advances in Allelopathy of Plants in Arid Desert Regions of Northwest China

To investigate allelopathy of plants in desert ecosystems, related research achievements obtained in recent years, reported allelopathic plants, allelochemicals and releasing ways of alleochemicalds were summarized, and then the key problems of research into allelopathic plants in desert ecosystems were indicated. It was considered that the research of allelopathy of plants in desert regions has just started in China, and plants with atlelopathic potential were found in the Compositae, Leguminosae, Rosaceae, Scrophulariaceae and Gramineae; plants in desert regions re- lease allelochemicals mainly via natural volatilization, which is closely related to their growing environment; allelochemicals such as alkaloids, fla- vonoids, terpenoids have been identified. This study can provide theoretical basis and practical value for reasonable adoption of protection meas- ures of desert plants and comprehensive control of desertification.

Stem sap flow of Haloxylon ammodendron at different ages and its response to physical factors in the Minqin oasis-desert transition zone, China

Haloxylon ammodendron, with its tolerance of drought, high temperature, and salt alkali conditions, is one of the main sand-fixing plant species in the oasis-desert transition zone in China. This study used the TDP30(where TDP is the thermal dissipation probe) to measure hourly and daily variations in the stem sap flow velocity of H. ammodendron at three age-classes(10, 15, and 20 years old,which were denoted as H10, H15, and H20, respectively) in the Minqin oasis-desert transition zone,China, from May through October 2020. By simultaneously monitoring temperature, relative humidity,photosynthetically active radiation, wind speed, net radiation, rainfall, and soil moisture in this region, we comprehensively investigated the stem sap flow velocity of different-aged H. ammodendron plants(H10,H15, and H20) and revealed its response to physical factors. The results showed that, on sunny days, the hourly variation curves of the stem sap flow velocity of H. ammodendron plants at the three age-classes were mainly unimodal. In addition, the stem sap flow velocity of H. ammodendron plants decreased significantly from September to October, which also delayed its peak time of hourly variation. On rainy days, the stem sap flow velocity of H. ammodendron plants was multimodal and significantly lower than that on sunny days.Average daily water consumption of H. ammodendron plants at H10, H15, and H20 was 1.98, 2.82, and 1.91kg/d, respectively. Temperature was the key factor affecting the stem sap flow velocity of H. ammodendron at all age-classes. Net radiation was the critical factor influencing the stem sap flow velocity of H.ammodendron at H10 and H15;however, for that at H20, it was vapor pressure deficit. The stem sap flow velocity of H. ammodendron was highly significantly correlated with soil moisture at the soil depths of 50and 100 cm, and the correlation was strengthened with increasing stand age. Altogether, our results revealed the dynamic changes of the stem sap flow velocity in different-aged H. ammodendron forest stands and its response mechanism to local physical factors, which provided a theoretical basis for the construction of new protective forests as well as the restoration and protection of existing ones in this region and other similar arid regions in the world.

Selection of Suitable Area and Analysis of Adaptability Difference of Prunus humilis

This paper delves into and assesses the differences in biological traits and fruit nutritional composition of 3 varieties of Prunus humilis introduced from 2 different regions.Results showed that(i)the contents of protein,total sugar,and calcium of No.5 variety were higher those of the other 2 varieties,which was recognized as the most suitable variety for fresh fruit;(ii)the comparison of leaf areas index and fruit shape index of 3 varieties shows that the fruit shape index and individual fruit weight of the introduced varieties were higher than those of the control,the diameter of individual fruit of the introduced varieties higher than that of the control indicated that they had a higher fruit hardness,more dry matter accumulation and better fruit quality,and that the introduction region was more suitable for scale-up of P.humilis;(iii)there was a positive correlation with the number of fruiting branches and there was a significant negative correlation with individual fruit weight,while the leaf area had a significant negative correlation with the number of fruiting branches.The introduced varieties can develop normally in the 2 testing areas,notably,No.5 variety performed better than No.4 and No.6.Improving management is the prerequisite for maintaining proper number of fruiting branches and high yield.

Spatial-temporal dynamics of desert vegetation and its responses to climatic variations over the last three decades:a case study of Hexi region in Northwest China

Analysis of spatial-temporal variations of desert vegetation under the background of climate changes can provide references for ecological restoration in arid and semi-arid areas. In this study, we used the Global Inventory Modeling and Mapping Studies （GIMMS） NDVI data from 1982 to 2006 and Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer （MODIS） NDVI data from 2000 to 2013 to reveal the dynamics of desert vegetation in Hexi region of Northwest China over the past three decades. We also used the annual temperature and precipitation data acquired from the Chinese meteorological stations to analyze the response of desert vegetation to climatic variations. The average value of NDVImax （the maximum NDVI during the growing season） for desert vegetation in Hexi region increased at the rate of 0.65x10-3/a （P〈0.05） from 1982 to 2013, and the significant increases of NDVImax mainly appeared in the typical desert vegetation areas. Vegetation was significantly improved in the lower reaches of Shule and Shiyang river basins, and the weighted mean center of desert vegetation mainly shifted toward the lower reaches of the two basins. Almost 95.32% of the total desert vegetation area showed positive correlation between NDVImax and annual precipitation, indicating that precipitation is the key factor for desert vegetation growth in the entire study area. Moreover, the areas with non-significant positive correlation between NDVImax and annual precipitation mainly located in the lower reaches of Shiyang and Shule river basins, this may be due to human activities. Only 7.64% of the desert vegetation showed significant positive correlation between NDVImax and annual precipitation in the Shule River Basin （an extremely arid area）, indicating that precipitation is not the most important factor for vegetation growth in this basin, and further studies are needed to investigate the mechanism for this phenomenon.

Stable isotope analysis of water sources for Tamarix laxa in the mega-dunes of the Badain Jaran Desert, China

The complex interactions in desert ecosystems between functional types and environmental conditions could be reflected by plant water use patterns. However, the mechanisms underlying the water use patterns as well as the water sources of Tamarix laxa in the mega-dunes of the Badain Jaran Desert, China, remain unclear. This study investigated the water sources and water use patterns of T. laxa using the stable oxygen isotope method. The δ18O values of xylem water, soil water in different layers(0–200 cm), rainwater, snow water, lake water, atmospheric water vapor, condensate water, and groundwater were measured. The sources of water used by T. laxa were determined using the IsoSource model. The results indicate that T. laxa mainly relies on soil water. At the beginning of the growing season(in May), the species is primarily dependent on water from the middle soil layer(60–120 cm) and deep soil layer(120–200 cm). However, it mainly absorbs water from the shallow soil layer(0–60 cm) as the rainy season commences. In September, water use of T. laxa reverts to the deep soil layer(120–200 cm). The water use patterns of T. laxa are closely linked with heavy precipitation events and soil water content. These findings reveal the drought resistance mechanisms of T. laxa and are of significance for screening species for ecological restoration.

Differences in response of desert plants of different ecotypes to climate warming:a case study in Minqin, Northwest China

Globally climates are warming. How do desert plants of different ecotypes respond to the climate change？ This paper studied the differing responses to climate warming shown by desert plants of different ecotypes through analyzing the phenology and meteorological data of 22 desert plant species growing in Minqin Desert Bo- tanical Garden in Northwest China during the period 1974-2009. The results indicate： （1） The temperature in the study area has risen quickly since 1974, and plants＇ growing periods became longer. The spring phenology of mesophytes advanced, and the autumn phenology of xerophytes was delayed; （2） The starting dates of spring phenophase of mesophytes and xerophytes differed significantly and both showed an advancing trend; （3） The spring phenology of mesophytes advanced by more days than that of xerophytes, whereas the autumn phenology of mesophytes was delayed by less days than that of the xerophytes; and （4） Mesophytes are more sensitive than xerophytes to rising temperature in spring and falling temperature in autumn. These findings are of value in plant management and regional introduction of different species.

Desert vegetation distribution and species-environment relationships in an oasis-desert ecotone of northwestern China

Environmental heterogeneity significantly affects the structure of ecological communities.Exploring vegetation distribution and its relationship with environmental factors is essential to understanding the abiotic mechanism(s)driving vegetation succession,especially in the ecologically fragile areas.In this study,based on the quantitative analysis of plant community and environmental factors in 68 plots at 10 different transects in the Minqin oasis-desert ecotone(ODE)of northwestern China,we investigated desert vegetation distribution and species-environment relationships using multivariate analysis.Two-way indicator species analysis(TWINSPAN),detrended correspondence analysis(DCA),and canonical correspondence analysis(CCA)methods were used.A total of 28 species,belonging to 27 genera in 8 families,were identified.Chenopodiaceae,Zygophyllaceae,Gramineae,and Leguminosae were the largest families.Annual and perennial herbs accounted for 28.60%of the total number of plants,while shrubs(42.90%)were the most dominant.Nitraria tangutorum was the constructive species of the desert plant community.We divided the 68 plots surveyed in this study into 7 community types,according to the results of TWINSPAN.The distribution of these 7 communities in the DCA ordination graph showed that species with a similar ecotype were clustered together.Results of CCA indicated that groundwater was the dominant factor influencing vegetation distribution,while distance between plot and oasis(Dis)and soil electrical conductivity(EC)were the local second-order factors.Our study suggests that optimizing the utilization of groundwater in oases is key to controlling the degradation of desert vegetation.The favorable topographic conditions of sand dunes should be fully utilized for vegetal dune stabilization,and the influence of soil salinity on the selection of afforestation tree species should be considered.

Spatial heterogeneity of soil water content in the reversion process of desertification in arid areas

Sandy soils in arid,rain-fed environments have low and limited water content,which is a principal factor limiting vegetation development,and a key constraint controlling the structure and functions of the ecological systems in arid areas.The spatial heterogeneity of soil water content is a major soil property,and a focus of soil science and hydrology.On the southern edge of the Tengger Desert,sample plots were selected from mobile sand dunes in desertified lands that had been enclosed for 5,15 and 25 years,respectively.This study explored the dynamic and spatial heterogeneity of soil water content in these different layers of soil that were also in the reversion process of desertification.The results showed that the soil water content of the mobile sand dunes was highest when in the initial stages of the reversion process of desertification,while the soil water content in the 0-20 cm,20-40 cm and 40-60 cm layers of soil was 1.769%,3.011%,and 2.967% respectively,presenting a restoring tendency after 25 years of enclosure.There were significant differences,as a whole,in the soil water content among different restoration stages and different soil layers,respectively.Changes in soil water content,in different soil layers,at different restoration stages,exhibited exponential or spherical patterns.The spatial distribution of soil water content exhibited a mosaic patch pattern with obvious spatial heterogeneity.The ratio of the heterogeneity of spatial autocorrelation to gross spatial heterogeneity was greater than 50%.The gross spatial heterogeneity of the 0-20 cm layer of soil improved gradually,while those of the 20-40 cm and 40-60 cm layers improved initially,then weakened in the reversion process of desertification.This study revealed that restoration with sand-binding vegetation reduced soil water content,and increased its spatial heterogeneity in arid areas.However,after 25 years of vegetation-soil system restoration,the soil water content started to increase and its spatial heterogeneity started to weaken.These results will further benefit the understanding of the ecological mechanism between soil water and sand-binding vegetation.

Assessment of desertification in Eritrea: land degradation based on Landsat images

Remote sensing is an effective way in monitoring desertification dynamics in arid and semi-arid regions.In this study,we used a decision tree method based on NDVI(normalized difference vegetation index),SAVI(soil adjusted vegetation index),and vegetation cover proportion to quantify and analyze the desertification in Eritrea using Landsat data of the 1970 s,1980 s and 2014.The results demonstrate that the NDVI value and the annual mean precipitation declined while the temperature increased over the past 40 a.Strongly desertified land increased from 4.82×10^4 km^2(38.5%)in the 1970 s to 8.38×10^4 km^2(66.9%)in 2014:approximately 85%of the land of the country was under serious desertification,which significantly occurred in arid and semi-arid lowlands of the country(eastern,northern,and western lowlands)with relatively scarce precipitation and high temperature.The non-desertified area,mostly located in the sub-humid eastern escarpment,also declined from approximately 2.1%to 0.5%.The study concludes that the desertification is a cause of serious land degradation in Eritrea and may link to climate changes,such as low and unpredictable precipitation,and prolonged drought.

Hyper-spectral characteristics of rolled-leaf desert vegetation in the Hexi Corridor, China

Desert plants survive harsh environment using a variety of drought-resistant structural modifications and physio-ecological systems.Rolled-leaf plants roll up their leaves during periods of drought,making it difficult to distinguish between the external structures of various types of plants,it is therefore necessary to carry out spectral characteristics analysis for species identification of these rolled-leaf plants.Based on hyper-spectral data measured in the field,we analyzed the spectral characteristics of seven types of typical temperate zone rolled-leaf desert plants in the Hexi Corridor,China using a variety of mathematical transformation methods.The results show that:(1)during the vigorous growth period in July and August,the locations of the red valleys,green peaks,and three-edge parameters,namely,the red edge,the blue edge,and the yellow edge of well-developed rolled-leaf desert plants are essentially consistent with those of the majority of terrestrial vegetation types;(2)the absorption regions of liquid water,i.e.,1400-1500 and 1600-1700 nm,are the optimal bands for distinguishing various types of rolled-leaf desert plants;(3)in the leaf reflectance regions of 700-1250 nm,which is controlled by cellular structure,it is difficult to select the characteristic bands for differentiation rolled-leaf desert vegetation;and(4)after processing the spectral reflectance curves using a first-order differential,the envelope removal method,and the normalized differential ratio,we identify the other characteristic bands and parameters that can be used for identifying various types of temperate zone rolled-leaf desert plants,i.e.,the 510-560,650-700 and 1330-1380 nm regions,and the red edge amplitude.In general,the mathematical transformation methods in the study are effective tools to capture useful spectral information for species identification of rolled-leaf plants in the Hexi Corridor.

Carbon storage in a wolfberry plantation chronosequence established on a secondary saline land in an arid irrigated area of Gansu Province,China

Carbon（C） storage has received significant attention for its relevance to agricultural security and climate change. Afforestation can increase C storage in terrestrial ecosystems, and has been recognized as an important measure to offset CO_2 emissions. In order to analyze the C benefits of planting wolfberry（Lycium barbarum L.） on the secondary saline lands in arid areas, we conducted a case study on the dynamics of biomass carbon（BC） storage and soil organic carbon（SOC） storage in different-aged wolfberry plantations（4-, 7-and 11-year-old） established on a secondary saline land as well as on the influence of wolfberry plantations on C storage in the plant-soil system in an arid irrigated area（Jingtai County） of Gansu Province, China. The C sequestration and its potential in the wolfberry plantations of Gansu Province were also evaluated. An intact secondary saline land was selected as control. Results show that wolfberry planting could decrease soil salinity, and increase BC, SOC and litter C storage of the secondary saline land significantly, especially in the first 4 years after planting. The aboveground and belowground BC storage values in the intact secondary saline land（control） accounted for only 1.0% and 1.2% of those in the wolfberry plantations, respectively. Compared to the intact secondary saline land, the SOC storage values in the 4-, 7-and 11-year-old wolfberry plantations increased by 36.4%, 37.3% and 43.3%, respectively, and the SOC storage in the wolfberry plantations occupied more than 92% of the ecosystem C storage. The average BC and SOC sequestration rates of the wolfberry plantations for the age group of 0–11 years were 0.73 and 3.30 Mg C/（hm^2·a）, respectively. There were no significant difference in BC and SOC storage between the 7-year-old and 11-year-old wolfberry plantations, which may be due in part to the large amounts of C offtakes in new branches and fruits. In Gansu Province, the C storage in the wolfberry plantations has reached up to 3.574 Tg in 2013, and the C sequestration potential of the existing wolfberry plantations was 0.134 Tg C/a. These results indicate that wolfberry planting is an ideal agricultural model to restore the degraded saline lands and increase the C sequestration capacity of agricultural lands in arid areas.

Structural Characteristics of Lycium ruthenicum Community & Soil Properties on Different Types of Desert Rangeland in the Lower Reaches of Shiyang River

[Objectives] To study structural characteristics of Lycium ruthenicum community and soil properties on different types of desert rangeland in the lower reaches of Shiyang River, and provide theoretical basis for ecological protection and management in the lower reaches of Shiyang River. [Methods] One-way ANOVA analysis and correlation analysis were carried out with the aid of SPSS19.0 software for different types of desert rangeland soils. [Results](i) Among the communities surveyed, there are 31 species belonging to 9 families and 28 genera, including 12 shrub plants, 8 perennial herbs and 11 annual herbs. There are more single genus, occupying 50% of total genus. L. ruthenicum occupies an important position in the community with relatively higher importance value. It plays a dominated role in the community.(ii) In the soils with depths of 0-10 cm, 10-20 cm, 20-40 cm and 40-60 cm in different types of desert rangeland, the organic carbon contents in the saline alkali soil were the highest, with the values of 1.08%, 0.98%, 0.89% and 0.972%, respectively. Compared with that in sandy land, soil organic carbon in saline alkali land(0-10 cm) had the significant difference(P<0.05), available soil potassium in saline alkali land(except the depth of 20-40 cm) and the total phosphorus content in saline alkali land(0-10 cm) had the significant difference(P<0.05), the total soil nitrogen, alkali-hydrolyzable nitrogen, available phosphorus and the total potassium content had no significant difference(P>0.05). Soil organic carbon, available soil phosphorus in saline alkali land, total soil potassium on sand dune and total soil phosphorus in saline alkali land and gravel in different soil layers of the same type of desert rangeland had distinct aggregation effect.(iii) The soil microbial biomass in different types of desert rangeland displayed from high to low as saline alkali land > sandy land > fixed and semi fixed sandy land > gravel. The discrepancy of soil microbial biomass varied in different types of desert rangeland. The four soil enzyme activities in salinization was the highest. Soil invertase activity in saline alkali land in different soil layers were the highest. For different soil layers in the same type of desert rangeland, soil microbial biomass and invertase decreased gradually with the deepening of soil layer.(iv) There was a significant positive correlation between soil organic matter and microbial biomass carbon, microbial biomass nitrogen, phosphatase and sucrase(P<0.01), and a significant positive correlation with urease and catalase(P<0.05). Phosphorus content was significant positively correlated with urease, phosphatase and invertase(P<0.01), and positively correlated with microbial biomass carbon(P<0.05). Soil available potassium content was significant positively correlated with microbial and phosphatase(P<0.01). [Conclusions] The species of L. ruthenicum community and soil properties on different types of desert rangeland in the lower reaches of Shiyang River clearly shows that most species belong to a few families, and a few species belong to most families, and many species are single genus or single family. Soil organic carbon, soil available phosphorus, total phosphorus, soil microbial biomass and enzyme activity in salinization land had distinct surface aggregation effects, so salinization land provides excellent growth environment for the growth of L. ruthenicum, which is of great significance for the protection of L. ruthenicum population.

Progress and Problems of Development Research and Application of Sand Barriers

Due to the restrictions on the conditions for afforestation and sand control,the development research,and application of sand barriers have accelerated in recent years,but some problems that cannot be ignored have emerged in practice. In this paper,the functions of wind prevention,sand blocking and fixation,improving soil physical and chemical properties and increasing plant diversity of sand barriers,accretion coefficient and capacity between sand barriers,and mobile sand barriers were analyzed firstly,and then several issues that should be noted in the development and application of sand barriers were proposed. The results show that sand barriers can fix sand on the spot and maintain the stability of sand surface. As an auxiliary measure before afforestation on a mobile sand surface,they are practical and feasible. The biggest drawback of sand barriers is that they are easy to be saturated. Although they can increase plant diversity and surface roughness,they lose the function of blocking sand flow after being saturated,and their function of in-situ sand fixation also rapidly decreases with the degradation of sand barriers. Mobile sand barriers overcome the disadvantage of sand barriers being easy to be saturated to some extent,but the cost greatly increases. In terms of desertification prevention and control by plants,plants are used as sand barriers to study their functions of sand blocking and sand fixation in many researches and practices,but the more important ecological functions of adjusting temperature on sand surface and achieving surface thermodynamic equilibrium of plants are ignored.

Comparative Analysis of Wind break and Sand fixation Functions of Several Main Forage Plants in Minqin Desert Area

[Objective] The paper was to study wind-break and sand-fixation functions of forage plants in desert area. [Method]Based on the survey data of four major wind-break and sand-fixation plants( Haloxylon ammondendron,Artemisia arenaria,Nitraria tangutorum and Ephedra przewalskii) in Minqin desert area,the longitudinal section area and the sandpile volume of an individual plant and per unit area were calculated. The wind-break and sand-fixation functions of four major plant communities were comparatively analyzed. [Result] The wind-break functions of an individual plant( cluster) successively were N. tangutorum > H. ammondendron > A. arenaria and E. przewalskii; the sand-fixation functions of an individual plant( cluster) successively were N. tangutorum > E. przewalskii; the wind-break functions per unit area successively were A. arenaria > H. ammondendron > N. tangutorum > E. przewalskii; the sand-fixation functions per unit area were N. tangutorum > E. przewalskii; the wind-break and sand-fixation function per unit area were N. tangutorum > A. arenaria > H. ammondendron >E. przewalskii.[Conclusion]A. arenaria can be selected for only wind-break,and N. tangutorum can be chosen for only sand-fixation. If given consideration to both,N. tangutorum and A. arenaria must be selected.

Global Warming:Increases in the Instability of Climate in Minqin Desert Area

The instability of climate in Minqin desert area during the process of global warming was analyzed based on meteorological data during 1961-2013. The results show that the instability of monthly average temperature in January and April increased. Isothermal date in February was 10.36 d earlier from 1961 to 2013. The instability of extreme maximum temperature in December and January enhanced. The instability of extreme minimum temperature in July increased. The coefficient of variation of extreme minimum temperature in May was up to 287.3%. The instability of average precipitation in January enhanced. At the same time,the stability of annual average precipitation increased. The stability of climate is more worthy of attention.

Particle Size of Barchan Dune in Hexi Desert Area and Its Relationship with Wind Speed

[ Objective ] The paper was to study the particle size characteristics of barchan dune and its formation mechanism in Hexi desert area d Gansu. [ Method] Through particle size measurement and wind speed flow field observation d dune, the particle size differences of various sampling plots and various parts of dune were analyzed using analysis of variance, and the relationship between particle size and wind speed was analyzed using correlation coefficient method. [ Result] （ 1 ） Barehan dune and barehan chains in Hexi desert area of Gansu were mainly consisted of fine sands and medium sands at the depth of 0 -5 cm： the sand particle in Gulang desert area was fine, which had significant difference with that in Jinchang, Linze, Jinta and Minqin desert areas. （2） Medium sands gradually increased from the bottom of windward slope to the dune peak in both barchan dune and barchan chain. On the windward slope of barehan dune, fine sands gradual- ly increased from the middle to both sides, while coarse sands and medium sands gradually decreased. On the windward slope of barehan chain, fine sands first de- creased then increased from the middle to NE side, but first increased then decreased from the middle to SW side. （3） In terma of particle size, there were great variations between fine sands and coarse sands ; for dune parts, there were great variations between dune peak and leewant slope toe; for dune types, the variation of fine sands in various parts of barchan chain was greater than that of barchan dune, while differentiation degree of medium sands and fine sands was greater than that of barchan dune. The particle size of fine sands was positively correlated with wind speed, and that of medium sands was negatively correlated with wind speed. [ Conclusion] The formation environment of particle size of berehan dune mainly included sand source and dynmnic source, and wind speed was the dynamic source for particle size distribution of barchan dune.