Nebkha development and its significance to wind erosion and land degradation in semi-arid northern China

Wang, X.; Wang, Tao; Dong, Zhibao; Liu, X.; Gao, Qian

doi:10.1016/j.jaridenv.2005.06.030

Cited by 83 publications

(63 citation statements)

References 20 publications

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“…A study in semi-arid northern China found that nebkha dunes may be formed 5-6 years after the land was reclaimed [Wang et al, 2006]. A most recent study by Kidron and Zohar [2016] showed that it would take up to 150 years to form a coppice dune of 60 cm-high in the Negev Desert of Israel.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Abiotic processes are insufficient for fertile island development: A 10‐year artificial shrub experiment in a desert grassland

Gilhooly

Okin

et al. 2017

Geophysical Research Letters

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The relative importance of biotic and abiotic processes in the development of “fertile islands” in dryland systems has rarely been investigated. Here we approached this question by using artificial shrubs, which exclude plant litter production and soil nutrient uptake, but retain the functions of trapping windblown material, funneling of stemflow, and differential rain splash. We conducted a vegetation manipulation study more than a decade ago in the desert grassland of southern New Mexico and subsequently revisited the site in 2012 and 2015. The results show that no notable soil mounds were observed under the artificial shrubs; however, soil texture under the artificial shrubs has gradually changed to resemble the patterns of soil particle‐size distribution under natural shrubs. Our results highlight that with the exclusion of direct biotic additions, soils captured by shrub canopies are not necessarily fertile and thus do not themselves contribute to the development of fertile islands.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Abiotic processes are insufficient for fertile island development: A 10‐year artificial shrub experiment in a desert grassland

Gilhooly

Okin

et al. 2017

Geophysical Research Letters

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“…This occurs because vegetation is more effi cient in reducing the kinetic energy of sandy-sized particles by collision and protecting surface particles accumulated in the nebkhas from shear forces (Stockton and Gillette, 1990;Shao et al, 1996). It is worth noting that the orientation of nebkhas at the GB1 site changed with time, and data reported Figure 2(c) refer to the situation observed at the beginning of the fi eld campaign on 22 May 2005, when the main axis was aligned along the northwest direction, known to be the prevalent one blowing in the Ejin'a area (Dong et al, 2004;Wang et al, 2006;Yao et al, 2007). After computing the nebkhas' Mobility Index (MI, Lancaster, 1988) using annual precipitation, potential evapotranspiration and wind speed data of the area, these forms were confi rmed being fully active (MI > 200, see also Wang et al, 2008).…”

Section: Description Of Study Sitesmentioning

confidence: 91%

Evaluation of a wind erosion model in a desert area of northern Asia by eddy covariance

Fratini

Santini

Ciccioli

et al. 2009

Earth Surf Processes Landf

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For the fi rst time, vertical fl uxes of mineral dust measured by Eddy Covariance in two desert sites of Northern Asia have been used to test the performances of a wind erosion model in the fi eld. Soil parameters required by the model were obtained through fi eld and laboratory determinations. Model predictions and direct measurements have been compared. The main fi nding was that the direction of the horizontal wind relative to the orientation of nebkhas played a crucial role in determining the emission of particles in one of the investigated sites. Being unable to simulate such interaction, the model generally overestimated the actual emission. It provided, instead, reliable predictions (r 2 = 0·87) when the wind direction was suitable in detaching loose erodible elements placed on nebkhas thanks to their normal orientation.

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“…Changes in precipitation or groundwater levels, combined with high sediment availability and wind activity, lead to the development of different dune morphologies, although the development process is affected by the vegetation cover and biomass [59][60][61]. When dunes appear in dune fields, the areas are typically defined as sandy land, and depending on the vegetation cover, erosion status, and accumulation status, can be classified into semi-mobile, semi-anchored, or anchored sandy land [31,33,[62][63][64].…”

Section: Advances In Current Research On Sandy Desertificationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sandy desertification: Borne on the wind

Wang

2013

Chin. Sci. Bull.

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Sandy desertification is both an inherently interesting bioscience and geoscience topic and an important topic from the perspectives of the ecological environment and food security. It has therefore increasingly attracted the attention of the public, in addition to researchers, government officials, and international organizations. This paper reviews the development of knowledge on sandy desertification, research progress in understanding the physical and biological processes involved in sandy desertification, and the significance of wind activity in determining the increases and decreases in sandy desertification. Based on this review of current research on the mechanisms and processes of sandy desertification, combining geological and biological sciences appears likely to improve our understanding of this complex system, thereby providing a more holistic understanding of sandy desertification at a range of temporal and spatial scales. aeolian desertification, sandy desertification, wind activity, dune activity, physical processes, biological processes Citation:Wang X M. Sandy desertification: Borne on the wind.

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Nebkha development and its significance to wind erosion and land degradation in semi-arid northern China

Cited by 83 publications

References 20 publications

Abiotic processes are insufficient for fertile island development: A 10‐year artificial shrub experiment in a desert grassland

Abiotic processes are insufficient for fertile island development: A 10‐year artificial shrub experiment in a desert grassland

Evaluation of a wind erosion model in a desert area of northern Asia by eddy covariance

Sandy desertification: Borne on the wind

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