Climate Change and the Desert Environment in Junggar Basin, Xinjiang, China

Abstract

Located in the region between the Tianshan Mountains and the Altay Mountains, Xinjiang, China, Junggar Basin is a semi\|closed unequilaterial triangle interior basin due to the piedmont fractures; and Gurbantonggut Desert, the largest fixed and semi\|fixed desert in China, is located in its central area. A ring\|shaped geographical pattern of the ecology and the climatic environment was formed in Junggar Basin due to the unique mountain\|basin structure and the general circulation system. There is an obvious difference in climate and environment in vertical geographical distribution: the alpine zone is perennially covered with snow and glaciers; in the middle and low mountain zones, precipitation is abundant, seasonal snow cover is thick, the forests and meadows grow luxuriantly, and the vegetation coverage is high; in the hills and the piedmont plains, precipitation reduces sharply, and desertification is obvious; and in the central area of the basin, a fixed and semi\|fixed sand desert with an area of \{47 800\} km2 develops.\;Through the research on the climate and the desert environment in Junggar Basin in north Xinjiang, it is considered that the area is mainly affected by climate change, then by topography and human activities. The area has the irreplaceable regional characteristics and the discipline significance in research on both climate and environment changes. Especially the climate in the basin has a duality of monsoon climate and Mediterranean climate because the area is mainly controlled by prevailing westerly circulation and slightly affected by Pacific monsoon. Precipitation and temperature play the important roles in the positive and reverse development processes of the desert environment, and the melt water of seasonal snow cover in the desert and snow and glaciers in the alpine zone provides the water sources for sprouting and growth of the desert plants in the basin. However, the ecological environment in the basin is extremely vulnerable, and impact of humans excessive exploitation and disturbance on it is serious. Therefore, it is an important task to strengthen protection of the arid ecological environment and to rebuild the beautiful landscapes in the regional development in future.