Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Eco-Environmental Degradation in the Source Region of the Yellow River, Northeast Qinghai-Xizang Plateau

  • Published:
Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The Yellow River is the second longest river in China and the cradle of the Chinese civilization. The source region of the Yellow River is the most important water holding area for the Yellow River, about 49.2% of the whole runoff comes from this region. However, for the special location, it is a region with most fragile eco-environment in China as well. Eco-environmental degradation in the source region of the Yellow River has been a very serious ecological and socially economic problem. According to census data, historical documents and climatic information, during the last half century, especially the last 30 years, great changes have taken place in the eco-environment of this region. Such changes are mainly manifested in the temporal-spatial changes of water environment, deglaciation, permafrost reduction, vegetation degeneracy and desertification extent, which led to land capacity decreasing and river disconnecting. At present, desertification of the region is showing an accelerating tendency. This paper analyzes the present status of eco-environment degradation in this region supported by GIS and RS, as well as field investigation and indoor analysis, based on knowledge, multi-source data is gathered and the classification is worked out, deals with their natural and anthropogenic causes, and points out that in the last half century the desertification and environmental degradation of this region are mainly attributed to human activities under the background of regional climate changes. To halt further degradation of the environment of this region, great efforts should be made to use land resources rationally, develop advantages animal agriculture and protect the natural grassland.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Bocco, G., Mendoza, M., and Velazquez, A.: 2001, Remote sensing and GIS-based regional geomorphological mapping: a tool for land use planning in developing countries. Geomorphology 39, 211–219.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen, L. and Qu, Y.: 1992, Rational development and utilization on water and soil resources in Hexi region (in Chinese with English abstract). Science Press, Beijing, pp 143–176.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chen, Q. and Liang, Q.: 1998, Study on degraded rangelands in Darlag county of Qinghai Province. Journal of Pratacult Science 7(4), 44–48

    Google Scholar 

  • Chen, X. and Kang, E.: 2001, A comparative analysis on sustainable utilization of water resources in arid and semi-arid regions of Gansu province (in Chinese with English abstract). J Glaciol Geocryol 23(1), 74–79

    Google Scholar 

  • Cheng, G.: 1998, Some understandings about the eco-environmental protection and building in the source region of Yangtze and Yellow Rivers. Advance in Earth Sciences 13 (Suppl): 1–5

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cheng, G., Li, P., and Zhang, X.: 1997, Influences of climatic changes on the snow cover, glaciers and frozen soils in China. Gansu Cultural Publ House, Lanzhou

    Google Scholar 

  • Cheng, G. and Wang, G.: 1998, Eco-environmental degradation and causal analysis in the source region of the Yellow River and Changjiang River, Qinghai-Xizang Plateau. Advance in Earth Sciences 13 (Suppl): 24–31

    Google Scholar 

  • Ding, Y.: 1995, Response of global glaciers fluctuation to climatic change in recent 40 years. Science in China (Series B) 25(10), 1093–1098

    Google Scholar 

  • Ding, Y.: 1996, Comparative study on glacier fluctuations in China and Switzerland. J Glaciol Geocryol 18 (Suppl): 96–104

    Google Scholar 

  • Ding, Y. and Bing, H.: 1996, Mass balance change of glaciers and its response to climatic change in the recent 40 years. J Glaciol Geocryol 18 (Suppl): 23–32

    Google Scholar 

  • Dong, G., Yan, P., and Su, ZH.: 1998, The urgency of research and control of land desertification in the source area of Yangzs and Yellow Rivers. Advance in Earth Sciences 13 (Suppl): 32–36

    Google Scholar 

  • Flerchinger, G. N. and Pierson, F. B.: 1996, Moding plant canpony effects on variability of soil temperature and water. Agric Forest Meteorol 56, 227–246

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ji, Z.: 1996, Periglacial wetland and its environment effect and ecological construction in China. J Glaciol Geocryol 18 (Suppl): 274–280

    Google Scholar 

  • Kang, X.: 1996, Characteristics of climatic changes over last 40 years in Qinghai-Xizang Plateau. J Glaciol Geocryol 18 (Supp): 281–288

    Google Scholar 

  • Li, S., Dong, Y., and Dong, G.: 2001, Sandy desertification problem and sustainable development in Qinghai-Xizang Plateau. Beijing, China Tibetan Research Press

    Google Scholar 

  • Liu, N., Tian, J., and Zhang, D.: 1999, The problem of the Quaternary, geological environment and desertification. Environ Geol 38(1), 7–12

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Liu, Y.: 1996, Eco-environment and sustainable development in the source region of rivers in Qinghai-Xizang Plateau. In: He Xiwu, Liu Yufang (eds) Proceedings of the symposium on resources, environment and development of Qinghai province. Meteorological Press, Beijing, pp 91–94

    Google Scholar 

  • Navas, A. and Machin, J.: 1997, Assessing erosion risks in the gypsiferous steppe of Litigio (NE Spain). An approach using GIS. Journal of Arid Environments 37, 433–441

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Niu, Y.: 1999, The study of environment in the Plateau of Qinghai-Tibet. Process in Geography 18(2), 163–171

    Google Scholar 

  • Peng, M.: 1987, Study on the vegetation types and distribution in the area of Gyaring Lake and Ngoring Lake. Acta Biol Plateau Sin 7, 71–79

    Google Scholar 

  • Shi, J., Wang, Q., Chen, G., Wang, G., and Zhang, Z.: 2001, Isotopic geochemistry of the groundwater system in arid and semiarid areas and its significance: a case study in Shiyang River basin, Gansu province, northwest China. Environ Geol 40(4/5), 557–565

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tian, G.: 1995, Remote sensing dynamic study of typical regions in the Yellow River basin. Science Press, Beijing

    Google Scholar 

  • Umar, A., Umar, R., Ahmad, M. S.: 2001, Hydrogeological and hydrochemical framework of regional aquifer system in Kali-Ganga sub-basin, India. Environ Geol 40(4–5), 602–611

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Valle, H. F., Elissalde, N. O., Gagliardini, D. A., and Milovich, J.: 1998, Status of desertification in the Patagonian Region: assessing and mapping from satellite imagery. Arid Soil Research and Rehabilitation 12, 95–122

    Google Scholar 

  • Vasconcelos, M. J. P., Mussa, Biai, J. C., Araujo, A., and Diniz, M. A.: 2002, Land cover changes in two protected areas of Guinea- Bissau (1956–1998). Applied Geography 22, 139–156

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, G. and Cheng, G.: 1999, The ecological features and significance of hydrology within arid inland river basins of China. Environ Geol 37(3), 218–222

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, G., Qian, J., and Cheng, G.: 2001, Eco-environmental degradation and causal analysis in the source region of the Yellow River. Environ Geol 40, 884–890

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, Z.: 1991, Glaciers and environment of the Mid-Tianshan Mountains and Eastern Qilian Mountains since Little Ice Age. Acta Geographica Sinica, 42(2), 160–167

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang, S.: 1998, Discussion on the permafrost degradation and the changes of the permafrost environment of Qinghai-Xizang Plateau. Advance in Earth Sciences 13 (Suppl): 65–73

    Google Scholar 

  • Wu, B. and Ci, L.: 1998, Desertification development stages and causes in Mu Us sandy land. China Sci Bulletin 43(22), 2437–2440

    Google Scholar 

  • Xi, J.: 1997, Water resources of Yellow River. Huanghe Publish House, Zhengzhou

    Google Scholar 

  • Xiao, H.: 1999, Compiling the land use map of the Heihe river basin. Lanzhou Institute of Desert Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences

  • Yang, J., Ding, Y., and Liu, S.: 2003, Glaciers change and its effect on surface runoff in the source regions of the Yangtze and Yellow Rivers. Journal of Natural Resources, 18(5), 595–602

    Google Scholar 

  • Yang, Z. H.: 1997, Ecological consideration on the stopped flowing events of the Yellow River. In: The natural protection branch of the state environmental protection bureau (eds) Stopped flowing events of the Yellow River and catchment sustainable development. China Environment Science Press, Beijing, pp 1–9

  • Ye, B., Liu, F., and Bai, S.: 1998, Studies on oasis advance and degeneration of the middle and lower parts of Shiyang River in recent ten years, Hexi, Gansu. In: Li J. J., Cheng G. D. (eds) Papers on the western resources and environment and sustainable development (in Chinese with English abstract). Lanzhou University Press, Lanzhou, pp 83–91

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, D., Liu, F., and Bing, J.: 2000a, Eco-environmental effects of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau uplift during the Quaternary in China. Environ Geol 39(12), 1352–1358

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, D., Liu, N., and Tian, J.: 2000b, Formation mechanism of ecogeo-environmental hazards in the agro-pastoral interlockingzone of northern China. Environ Geol 39(12), 1385–1390

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhao, L.: 1996, Soil characteristics affected by permafrost. In: Annual report on comprehensive observation and study of Qinghai-Xizang Plateau. Lanzhou University Press, Lanzhou, pp 70–76

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhao, X., Wang, S. H., and Cheng, G.: 1996, Study on the recent changes of permafrost in Qinghai-Xizang Plateau. Lanzhou University Press, Lanzhou, pp 1–9

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Resource Environment and City Science Department, Xianyang Normal University, Xianyang, Shanxi Province, 712000, China

    Jianmin Feng

  2. Key Laboratory of Desert and Desertification, Cold and Arid Regions Environmental and Engineering Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province, 730000, China

    Jianmin Feng, Tao Wang & Changwei Xie

Authors
  1. Jianmin Feng
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Tao Wang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Changwei Xie
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jianmin Feng.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Feng, J., Wang, T. & Xie, C. Eco-Environmental Degradation in the Source Region of the Yellow River, Northeast Qinghai-Xizang Plateau. Environ Monit Assess 122, 125–143 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-005-9169-2

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-005-9169-2

Keywords

Search

Navigation