10.2190/ES.31.4.e 537414V2U7848755 5 Environmental Degradation in the Minqin Oasis in Northwest China during Recent 50 Years 357 365 20081013 20081013 20081013 20081013 537414V2U7848755.pdf http://baywood.metapress.com/link.asp?target=contribution&id=537414V2U7848755 4 Kecun Zhang Jianjun Qu Qinhe Liu Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, China Minqin Oasis lies at the lower reaches of Shiyang River, which is one of the three inland rivers in northwest China. Due to sand dune encroachment and unconstrained activities of local people in recent years, the ecological and environment problems of Minqin Oasis are being taken seriously. The aims of this study is to analyze the factors driving environmental degradation in the Minqin Oasis during the past 50 years, to reveal the relationships among sandstorms, water resources, and human activities, and to present some reasonable practicable measures for ameliorating conditions in this region. K. C. Zhang, J. J. Qu, R. P. Zu, and H. Y. Fang, Temporal Variations of Sandstorms in Minqin Oasis during 1954-2000, <i>Environmental Geology, 49</i>, pp. 332-338, 2005. Z. F. Chang, C. H. Liang, F. G. Han, and Z. H. Ma, Distribution and Former Characteristics of Sandstorm in Minqin Oasis, <i>Journal of Arid Land Resources and Environment, 16</i>, pp. 107-111, 2002 (in Chinese). X. F. Qiu, Y. Zeng, and Q. L. Miu, Temporal-Spatial Distribution as Well as Tracks and Source Areas of Sandstorms in China, <i>Acta Geographica Sinica, 56</i>, pp. 316-322, 2001 (in Chinese). J. H. Wang and Q. L. Ma, Study on Restoration Strategies, Characteristics and Status of Degenerated Artificial Haloxylon Ammodendron Communities at the Edge of Minqin Oasis, <i>Acta Bot Boreal-Occident Sin, 23</i>, pp. 2107-2112, 2003 (in Chinese). G. F. Zhu, Z. Z. Li, Y. H. Su, J. Z. Ha, and Y. Y. Zhang, Hydrogeochemical and Isotope Evidence of Groundwater Evolution and Recharge in Minqin Basin, Northwest China, <i>Journal of Hydrology, 333</i>, pp. 239-251, 2007. J. Z. Ma and H. Wei, The Ecological and Environmental Problems Caused by the Excessive Exploitation and Utilization of Groundwater Resources in Minqin Oasis, Gansu Province, <i>Arid Zone Research, 20</i>, pp. 261-265, 2003 (in Chinese). X. Y. Xu, G. D. Ding, Z. H. Gao, and Z. H. Yang, Succession in Ecological Environment in the Last 50 Years in Minqin Oasis of Gansu Province and its Comprehensive Controlling Countermeasures, <i>Science of Soil and Water Conservation, 4</i>, pp. 40-48, 2006 (in Chinese). X. W. Ma, B. G. Li, C. R. Wu, H. J. Peng, and Y. Z. Guo, Prediction of Temporal-Spatial Change of Groundwater Table Resulted from Current Land Use in Minqin Oasis, <i>Advances in Water Science, 14</i>, pp. 85-90, 2003 (in Chinese). D. F. Sun, D. Richar, and B. G. Li, Agricultural Causes of Desertification Risk in Minqin, China, <i>Journal of Environmental Management, 79</i>, pp. 348-356, 2006. B. J. Wang, Q. Zhang, and J. Zhang, Discussion about the Ecological Degradation Question of Minqin Oasis, <i>Arid Meteorology, 22</i>, pp. 87-92, 2004 (in Chinese). C. S. Gai, X. Q. Li, and F. S. Zhao, Mineral Aerosol Properties Observed in the Northwest Region of China, <i>Global and Planetary Change, 52</i>, pp. 173-181, 2006.