First Map of Desert, Desertification Published

2005/10/31

The Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) has for the first time published a map of deserts and desertification, which shows that the total area of China's sand and stone deserts is about 1.57 million square kilometres (sq.km).

China's sand deserts cover an area of 684,000 square kilometres, including 446,000 kilometres of shifting deserts.

Most of the deserts are found in western China, covering an area of 582,000 sq.km, and in the east, which has deserts covering 102,000 sq.km, according to the map.

The largest deserts include Taklimakan, Badain Jaran, Gurbantunggu, Tengger and Qaidam.

Wang Tao, a leading desertification-control scientist in northern China and chief editor of the map, said that a large area of arid land in northern China has entered an initial stage of desertification.

Wang said that light- and medium-level desertification can be contained by urgently restricting improper human activities.

Overgrazing in pastures, he noted, will expose them to desertification in the coming ten years.

Desertification in western China will also continue as the result of drastic water shortages, Wang said.



	Article featured in Business Beijing, October 2005 Publication sponsored by Information Office of the Beijing Municipal Government, Beijing Municipal Bureau of Commerce, Development & Reform Commission of Beijing Municipality, China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (Beijing Sub-Council)