Responses of aeolian desertification to a range of climate scenarios in China
Aeolian desertification plays an important role in earth-system processes and ecosystems, and has the potential to greatly impact global food production. The occurrence of aeolian desertification has traditionally been attributed to increases in wind speed and temperature and decreases in rainfall....
Main Authors: | , , |
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Format: | Article |
Language: | English |
Published: |
Copernicus Publications
2016-06-01
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Series: | Solid Earth |
Online Access: | http://www.solid-earth.net/7/959/2016/se-7-959-2016.pdf |
Summary: | Aeolian desertification plays an important role in earth-system processes and
ecosystems, and has the potential to greatly impact global food
production. The occurrence of aeolian desertification has traditionally been
attributed to increases in wind speed and temperature and decreases in
rainfall. In this study, by integrating the aeolian desertification
monitoring data and climate and vegetation indices, we found that although
aeolian desertification is influenced by complex climate patterns and human
activities, increases in rainfall and temperature and decreases in wind
speed may not be the key factors of aeolian desertification controls in some
regions of China. Our results show that, even when modern technical
approaches are used, different approaches to desertification need to be
applied to account for regional differences. These results have important
implications for future policy decisions on how best to combat
desertification. |
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ISSN: | 1869-9510 1869-9529 |