Introduction to Deserts and Desertified Regions in China - Combating Desertification in Asia, Africa and the Middle East - page 2

Chapter 1
Introduction to Deserts and Desertified Regions
in China

G. Ali Heshmati and Victor R. Squires

Synopsis This chapter provides information about the geographical location,
population, climatic conditions, natural resources, areal extent and administrative
regions of China, the third largest country in the world. We discuss definitions
of desertification, land degradation, and the causes and hazards brought about by
desertification. Finally, we provide information pertaining to the status, character-
istics, types, distribution and efforts to combat desertification in China - one of
the countries most seriously affected by desertification that is exacerbated by desert
encroachment. We also explain the role in China's development strategy of efforts
to prevent desert encroachment.

Key Points

• China is one of the developing countries with vast deserts and desertified

areas and 60 % of her population is living in the affected areas. The status of
desertification is very serious. It is mainly caused by climatic variations and
human factors. It is estimated that 13 Mha of arable land has been threatened
by disasters of wind and sand storms; about 100 Mha of steppe, desert steppe
and pasture lands have been seriously degraded; thousands of water conservation
facilities and systems have been threatened by wind and sand hazards and the
benefits of the drainage system have been reduced; around 800 km of railway
has been threatened and 1,000 km of highways have been destroyed by the
accumulation of sands.