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.

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.

Distribution Characteristics of Soil Total Nitrogen in Low-efficiency Forest Land in the Northern Windy Desert Area of Jingbian County

[Objectives]The paper was to investigate the distribution characteristics of soil total nitrogen in low-efficiency forest land in the northern windy desert area of Jingbian County.[Methods]The distribution of soil total nitrogen in the 0-40 cm soil layer of 5 towns in the northern windy desert area of Jingbian County was studied through field sampling and laboratory detection.[Results]The average soil total nitrogen contents of Hongdunjie Town,Haizetan Town,Huanghaojie Town,Ningtiaoliang Town,Dongkeng Town and windy desert area in the 0-20 cm soil layer were 0.259,0.224,0.242,0.248,0.431 and 0.275 g/kg,respectively.The soil total nitrogen content in Dongkeng Town was higher than those in other towns,while there was little difference among other regions.The average total nitrogen contents in the 20-40 cm soil layer were 0.239,0.285,0.113,0.262,0.349 and 0.241 g/kg,respectively.The soil total nitrogen content in Huanghaojie Town was slightly lower than those in other towns,while that in Dongkeng town was higher.The variation coefficient of soil total nitrogen content in the survey area was greater than 30%,and there was great difference in spatial distribution.With the increase of soil depth,there was little change in soil total nitrogen content,namely the soil total nitrogen contents in 5 towns and windy desert area were not statistically different in the 0-40 cm soil layer.According to the nutrient grading standard of the second national soil survey,the soil total nitrogen content in the survey area was in the deficiency grade.[Conclusions]The research will provide a scientific guidance for the healthy and sustainable development of vegetation in arid regions.

Probabilistic modeling of soil moisture dynamics in a revegetated desert area

Soil moisture is the key link between land hydrological and ecological processes which plays an important role in the terrestrial water cycle. As extreme weather events have increased in recent years, the stochastic simulation of soil moisture has gradually become the focus of ecohydrology research. Based on continuous monitoring of soil moisture data from 2008 to 2011, and histor- ical precipitation data from 199l to 2011, combined with the Rodriguez-Iturbe soil moisture dynamic stochastic model, soil mois- ture dynamics and its probability density fimction in a revegetated desert area was simulated. Results show that annual soil mois- ture dynamic changes of the revegetated desert area during the growing season complied with rainfall distribution; soil moisture probability presents a single-peak distribution in the plant rhizosphere layer （0-60 cm）. The peak width in the 20 cm topsoil was wider than in other soils, and the distribution presented the strong fluctuations and multiple aggregates. The peak widths of 40 cm and 60 cm soil moisture probability distribution were small, which are in accordance with simulated results of the Rodri- guez-lturbe model. This confrms that the Rodriguez-Imrbe model has good applicability and can well simulate the statistical characteristics of soil moisture in an arid revegetated desert area.

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.

A Study of Siliceous Pneumoconiosis in a Desert Area of Sunan County,Gansu Province,China

Three hundred and ninety five residents in a desert area were examined with chest radiographs and 28 cases with siliceous pneumoconiosis were found. The prevalence of siliceous pneumoconiosis was 7.09%, and that over 40 years of age was 21%. The histological findings of lungs from a camel living in that area for 20 years also confirmed to have siliceous pneumoconiosis.

Effects of vibration in desert area caused by moving trains

The ballast layer, filled with fine particles like blown sand, is one of the important problems of ballasted railway tracks in desert areas. Blown sand, as a contaminator of ballast layer, increases track stiffness and may cause serious damage to sleepers, pads, rails, and vehicles. In this paper, the effects of increasing track stiffness due to windy sands in the ballast layer and the train induced vibrations due to this phenomenon were studied. Based on field studies in a desert area in Iran, a two-dimensional finite/infinite element model for a railway track with plane strain condition was analyzed using the software ABAQUS, and the track vibrations were examined by changing the values of stiffness of ballast layer. Vibrations caused by the load of train at different distances from the cross-section of track were inves- tigated, and the values of vertical vibration displacement, velocity, and acceleration were calculated. Results show that acceleration values of vertical vibration increase with the increasing of ballast layer stiffness caused by the filling of sand, while the vertical vibration velocity of track and the induced ground displacement decrease. The farther the distance from the source of vibration, the less the displacement, velocity, and acceleration. In addition, the methods for reducing train-induced vibrations were introduced.

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.

Temperature Regulation Effect of Desert Vegetation in Minqin Desert Area

[ Objective] The paper was to study the effects of desert vegetation on temperature regulation and stabilization in desert area. [ Method] The survey data of quadrats in five kinds of plant communities in Minqin desert area were preliminarily estimated. [Result] Desert vegetation had the ecological functions of regulating desert temperature and stabilizing sharp increase of temperature, especially the irreplaceable ecological function of slowing down sandstorm each spring in northwest China compared to physical sand-fixatian measures. The air humidity in forest region was relatively large, and the climate was more stable. The climate in desert area was dry, with intense changes in air temperature. Although the solar radiation utilization rate of desert vegetation per unit area in Minqin oasis fringe was 5.8% of that of 100% coverage vegetation, it had non-ignorable significance in regulating temperature of local desert. Regulating temperature was one of the ecological functions of desert vegetation. Previous studies only considered wind proof and sand-fixation functions of desert vegetation, but ignored its temperature regulation effect, and this was the ecological function of vegetation sand control different from physical sand-fixation measures such as sand barrier. [ Conclusion] It has important theoretical guiding significance and practical use value for prevention and control of desertification by studying ecological function of desert plants/vegetation.

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.

Monitoring rock desert formation caused by two different origins(ice-snow melting and drying)in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau of China by considering topographic and meteorological elements

Monitoring rock desert formation caused by two different origins(ice-snow melting and drying)through remote sensing is crucial to our understanding of the interaction between the underlying surface of different rock desert and land-atmosphere types,as well as the relationship between bare land and soil erosion.A number of achievements have been made in remote sensing monitoring of desert areas,but there is a lack of accurate classification and remote sensing identification of rock desert types based on formation mechanism.In this study,the north and south sides of the eastern Kunlun Mountains in the northern part of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau of China were taken as the study areas.Landsat operational landscape imager,digital elevation model,and precipitation and temperature grid data were used as data sources.By identifying the bare areas based on the normalized difference vegetation index(NDVI),we used the multi-element fusion method of contours,isotherms,and isohyets to identify the rock desert types in the ice-snow melting and dry areas.The results showed that:(1)the rock desert areas identified by remote sensing based on topographic and meteorological elements were highly accurate,with an overall accuracy of 88.45%and kappa coefficient of 0.77.The multi-element fusion method of contours,isotherms,and isohyets could effectively identify the rock desert types in the ice-snow melting and dry areas;(2)the optimal segmentation range of the ice-snow melting and dry areas was 3600 m contour,-2°C-2°C isotherms,and 100-130 mm isohyets.The areas with elevation less than 3600 m,annual average temperature higher than 2°C,and average annual precipitation less than 100 mm were rock desert in the dry areas.The range of-2°C-2°C isotherms and 100-130 mm isohyets was the transition area between the ice-snow melting and dry areas.The areas with elevation higher than 3600 m,annual average temperature less than-2°C,and average annual precipitation higher than 130 mm were rock desert in the ice-snow melting areas;and(3)the identification accuracy of the bare areas based on the NDVI method was better,specifically,the identification accuracy of plain bare areas was generally better than that of mountain bare areas.The remote sensing identification method considers not only the topographic factors that have great influence on the spatial distribution of the two types of rock desert areas,but also the meteorological factors,which can provide a scientific reference for the effective identification of the two types of rock desert areas.

Stability and Ecological Effects of Main Plant Communities in Minqin Desert Area

[ Objective ] To elucidate the change trend in stability and ecological effects of plant communities in desert along with global wanning. [ Method ] The data of site-specific observation on five main plant communities at ten plots in Minqin desert area were used to analyze the stability and ecological effects of desert plant communities by using two indicators vegetation coverage and projective cover degree. [ Results ] The vegetation coverage of Artemisia arenaria and Ephedra przewalskii, and the projective cover degree of A. arenaria and man-made Haloxylon ammodendron forest decreased remarkably; and the vegetation coverage of Ni- traria tangutorum was also decreased to some extent. [ Conduslon] （1） The plant communities with poor vegetation coverage gives a relatively strong stability, while that with high vegetation coverage has a relatively poor stability; （2） the yearly precipitation is the determinant of vegetation coverage and projective cover deglee; （3） the ecological function is found to be most remarkable in per unit area N. tangutorum, followed by E. przewalskii and N. tangutorum ＋H. ammodendron, and least in per unit area A. Arenaria. The vegetation is sparse in desert and plant branches does not distribute regularly, thus the crown-based vegetation coverage can not reflect the actual surface coverage.

Estimation of the Threshold Friction Velocities over Various Dust Storm Source Areas in Northwest China

The emission of dust particles into the atmosphere is governed by the aerodynamic and resistant factors, which are quantified by the friction velocity u. and the threshold friction velocity u＊t, respectively. The threshold friction velocity u＊t influences the vertical dust flux and dust transport. Based on the micro-meteorological data obtained in the springs of 2004 and 2006 over Hunshandake desert area, Loess Plateau, and Gobi desert area, the relationship between dust concentration and friction velocity for the dust events that occurred over Hunshandake desert area was investigated, and the threshold friction velocities over the three different dust source areas were estimated. The results show that the value of dust concentration is low during the pre-emission stage of a dust storm event, and the rapid increase of friction velocity provides favor-able dynamic conditions for dust emission. During the dust emission stage, the dust concentration increases sharply due to mechanical and thermal turbulent mixing. At the calm-down stage, the dust concentration drops nearly linearly with the decreasing friction velocity, on account of the gravitational deposition of larger dust particles. When the dust concentration is higher than 200 μgm-3, it is considered as a dust emission process. According to the criteria, the values of threshold friction velocity over Hunshandake desert area and Gobi region are 0.6 and 0.45 m s-1, respectively. The threshold friction velocity over Loess Plateau depends on the wind direction, due to the complex terrain and inhomogeneous surface. The northwest wind shows the effects of the Mu Us desert in the northwest. The corresponding u＊t is 0.35 m s-1. The south wind exhibits the characteristics of the Loess hilly dunes in the south, and the u＊t is 0.7 m s-1. The large roughness length of the Loess hilly dunes and the large inter-particle cohesion for the clay soil texture increases the local friction velocity. Different threshold friction velocities and occurrence frequencies of strong wind account for different dust emission capabilities for various source areas.

Experiment on Dust Flux During Duststorm Periods over Desert Area

The present study investigates the characteristics of turbulent transfer and the conditions for dust emission and transport using the dust concentration and micrometeorological data obtained during dust events occurring in the spring of 2004 over the Hunshandake desert area. The turbulent exchange coefficients and turbulent fluxes of momentum and heat are calculated. The relationships between dust flux, friction velocity, and wind speed are also explored. The results show that thermal turbulence is dominant during daytime of non-dusty days. The dynamic turbulence increases obviously and the sensible heat flux reduces by different degrees during dust events. There is an efficient downward transfer of momentum before duststorm occurrence, and both the dynamic turbulence and the thermal turbulence are important in the surface layer. The dynamic turbulence even exceeds the thermal turbulence during severe duststorm events. The values of dust flux vary in the range of -5 5, -30 30, and -200-300 μg m^-2 s^-1 during non-dusty days, blowing dust, and duststorm events, respectively. A slight upward transport of dust is observed during non-dusty days. The dust flux gradually varies from positive to negative during duststorm periods, which indicates the time evolution of dust events from dust rising to stably suspending and then deposition. The dust flux is found to be proportional to u＊^3. The threshold values of wind speed and friction velocity are about 6 and 0.4 m s^-1, respectively.