Abstract

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Title:: Variation of hydrologic system in respect to desertification in arid area of northwest China

Author(s):: CHEN Meng-xiong; Ministry of the Land and Resources, Beijing 100812, China

Keywords:: hydrologic system; surface runoff; groundwater; oasis; desertification; basin system; hydrogeologic zonation; eco-environment

Abstract:: The enormous inland basins in northwest China, mainly consisting of Zhungeer basin, Talimu basin, Qaidam basin and Hexi Corridor, are known as typical Gobi Desert area occupying a dimension nearly 25% of the whole territory of China. All the streams draining from the mountain area flow into the piedmont plain and become as the main water resources of the cultivated area so called“Oasis” like a green island in the central part of the basin. However, since 1950’ s, the hydrologic situation is already strongly affected by human activities, resulting in serious deterioration of the ecologic environment. This paper focuses on the variation of the hydrologic system due to the impact of human activities in relation to ecologic environ- ments with special reference to the evolution of desertification in the arid area.