Spatio-temporal Variation of Wind Erosion in Inner Mongolia of China Between 2001 and 2010

Using Geographic Information System(GIS), based on wind speed, precipitation, topographic, soil, vegetation coverage and land use data of Inner Mongolia between 2001 and 2010, we applied the revised wind erosion equation(RWEQ) model to simulate wind erosion intensity. The results showed that an area of approximately 47.8 × 10~4 km^2 experienced wind erosion in 2010, 23.2% of this erosion could be rated as severe, and 46.0% as moderate. Both the area and the intensity of wind erosion had decreased from 2001 to 2010, the wind erosion area reduced 10.1%, and wind erosion intensity decreased by 29.4%. Precipitation, wind speed, population size and urbanization in rural areas, and gross domestic product of primary industry(GDP1) were the main factors influencing wind erosion. Overall, these factors accounted for 88.8% of the wind erosion. These results indicated that the decrease in wind erosion over the past decade related to the increase in precipitation and the decrease in the number of windy days, while modest urban development and optimization of the economic structure might partially reduced the level of ecological pressure, highlighting the importance of human activities in controlling wind erosion.

Climate change indirectly enhances sandstorm prevention services by altering ecosystem patterns on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

Climate change influences both ecosystems and ecosystem services.The impacts of climate change on ecosystems and ecosystem services have been separately documented.However,it is less well known how ecosystem changes driven by climate change will influence ecosystem services,especially in climate-sensitive regions.Here,we analyzed future climate trends between 2040 and 2100 under four Shared Socioeconomic Pathway(SSP) scenarios(SSP1-2.6,SSP2-4.5,SSP3-7.0,and SSP5-8.5) from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project 6(CMIP6).We quantified their impacts on ecosystems patterns and on the ecosystem service of sandstorm prevention on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau(QTP),one of the most climate-sensitive regions in the world,using Random Forest model(RF) and Revised Wind Erosion Equation(RWEQ).Strong warming(0.04℃/yr) and wetting(0.65 mm/yr) trends were projected from 2015 to 2100.Under these trends,there will be increased interspersion in the pattern of grassland and sparse vegetation with meadow and swamp vegetation,although their overall area will remain similar,while the areas of shrub and needleleaved forest classes will increase and move toward higher altitudes.Driven by the changes in ecosystem patterns caused by climate change indirectly,grassland will play an irreplaceable role in providing sandstorm prevention services,and sandstorm prevention services will increase gradually from 2040 to 2100(1.059-1.070 billion tons) on the QTP.However,some areas show a risk of deterioration in the future and these should be the focus of ecological rehabilitation.Our research helps to understand the cascading relationship among climate change,ecosystem patterns and ecosystem services,which provides important spatio-temporal information for future ecosystem service management.

Evaluation of Inner Mongolia Wind Erosion Prevention Service based on Land Use and the RWEQ Model

Inner Mongolia is the important ecological barrier zone in northern China,which plays an important role in the prevention and control of wind in the regional ecosystem.Based on the Revised Wind Erosion Equation(RWEQ)model and the cost-recovery method,this study simulated the wind erosion prevention service(WEPS)in Inner Mongolia in 2010 and 2015,investigated the spatial pattern of material and monetary value of WEPS,and analyzed the differences among various cities and various ecosystems.The results indicated that the total WEPS of Inner Mongolia was estimated to be 73.87×10^(8) t in 2015,which was 4.61×10^(8) t less than in 2010,while the monetary value of WEPS was calculated to be 738.66×10^(8) yuan in 2015,which was 46.16×10^(8) yuan less than in 2010.Among all the leagues and cities,Xilin Gol League supported the highest WEPS,reaching 18.65×10^(8) t in 2015,while Wuhai provided the lowest.The WEPS of Hulunbeier increased the most,by 4.37×10^(8) t from 2010 to 2015.The WEPS in the grassland ecosystem was the highest among the different ecosystems,accounting for more than55%of the total WEPS in Inner Mongolia,but it was reduced by 1.05×10^(8) t during the same period.The WEPS in the forest ecosystem increased the most,reaching 0.19×10^(8) t.This study found that the implementation of projects such as returning farmland to forests and grasses and sand control effectively increased the WEPS by increasing the forest area.However,unsuitable land use increased the desertification of ecosystems which resulted in a reduction of WEPS in Inner Mongolia.