Star dune, the most complex type of single dune ever found, is known to be controlled by several natural factors including wind, topography, and sediment source. Anthropogenic impact of direct disturbance or modification on nearby land surface can also alter its shape and pattern over a longer timescale, but this factor is generally overlooked. Here, we present an integrated study of anthropogenic impact on a well-known star dune in the Mingsha Megadune of Dunhuang, China, by using 3D full-scale numerical simulations and wind tunnel experiments with printed 3D solid models. The removal of the tail of one dune arm affects both the leeward recirculation zone and the budge of dune surface; and an enlarged peripheral green land affects wind speed re-distribution and dune body displacement. The wind speed and direction variations were confirmed by field observations. We suggest that anthropogenic impact should be reduced to minimum or used to restore the setting to its previous state, for example, by removing the newly planted trees and rebuilding the dune arm tail, to maintain the natural balance between wind regime and aeolian landform, in order to protect this precious nature heritage from further deformation and degradation.

星沙丘是迄今发现的最复杂的单一沙丘类型，已知它受多种自然因素控制，包括风，地形和沉积物来源。直接干扰或修改对附近陆地表面的人为影响也可以在更长的时间范围内改变其形状和样式，但是通常会忽略这一因素。在这里，我们通过使用3D全面数值模拟和带有打印3D实体模型的风洞实验，对人为因素对敦煌明沙Megadune著名星丘的影响进行了综合研究。去除一个沙丘臂的尾部会影响下风再循环区和沙丘表面的凸起。周围的绿地扩大会影响风速的重新分布和沙丘体的位移。风速和风向变化通过现场观察得到了证实。我们建议应将人为影响减至最小，或将其恢复到以前的状态，例如，通过拆除新种植的树木并重建沙丘臂尾，以保持风能和风沙地貌之间的自然平衡，为了保护这种宝贵的自然遗产免受进一步的变形和破坏。