Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Damage by wind-blown sand and its control measures along the Taklimakan Desert Highway in China

  • Research article
  • Published:
Journal of Arid Land Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Desertification is one of the most serious environmental problems in the world, especially in the arid desert regions. Combating desertification, therefore, is an urgent task on a regional or even global scale. The Taklimakan Desert in China is the second largest mobile desert in the world and has been called the “Dead Sea” due to few organisms can exist in such a harsh environment. The Taklimakan Desert Highway, the longest desert highway (a total length of 446 km) across the mobile desert in the world, was built in the 1990s within the Taklimakan Desert. It has an important strategic significance regarding oil and gas resources exploration and plays a vital role in the socio-economic development of southern Xinjiang, China. However, wind-blow sand seriously damages the smoothness of the desert highway and, in this case, mechanical sand control system (including sand barrier fences and straw checkerboards) was used early in the life of the desert highway to protect the road. Unfortunately, more than 70% of the sand barrier fences and straw checkerboards have lost their functions, and the desert highway has often been buried and frequently blocked since 1999. To solve this problem, a long artificial shelterbelt with the length of 437 km was built along the desert highway since 2000. However, some potential problems still exist for the sustainable development of the desert highway, such as water shortage, strong sandstorms, extreme environmental characteristics and large maintenance costs. The study aims to provide an overview of the damages caused by wind-blown sand and the effects of sand control measures along the Taklimakan Desert Highway. Ultimately, we provide some suggestions for the biological sand control system to ensure the sustainable development of the Taklimakan Desert Highway, such as screening drought-resistant species to reduce the irrigation requirement and ensure the sound development of groundwater, screening halophytes to restore vegetation in the case of soil salinization, and planting cash crops, such as Cistanche, Wolfberry, Apocynum and other cash crops to decrease the high cost of maintenance on highways and shelterbelts.

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

  • Bergstrom D J, Boucher K M, Derksen D. 1992. Wind flow over an elevated roadway. Journal of Wind Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics, 41–44: 2697–2698.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cao S X. 2008. Why large-scale afforestation efforts in China have failed to solve the desertification problem. Environmental Science Technololy, 42(6): 1826–1831.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chen W N. 1993. Grain size parameters of aeolion sediments in the vicinity of the longitude 84°E, Taklimakan Desert. Acta Geographica Sinica, 48(1): 33–46. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Copley J M. 1987. The three dimensional flow around railway trains. Journal of Wind Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics, 26(1): 21–52.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dong Z B, Chen G T, He X D, et al. 2004. Controlling blown sand along the highway crossing the Taklimakan Desert. Journal of Arid Environments, 57(3): 329–344.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dong Z W, Li C J, Li S Y, et al. 2020. Stoichiometric features of C, N, and P in soil and litter of Tamarix cones and their relationship with environmental factors in the Taklimakan Desert, China. Journal of Soils and Sediments, 20(2): 690–704.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fan J L, Wei Y P, Xu X W, et al. 2017. Effect of drip irrigation with saline water on the construction of shelterbelts for soil and groundwater protection in the hinterland of the Taklimakan Desert, China. Tecnologia Y Ciencias Del Agua, 8(2): 19–30.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gong F H, He X D, Peng X Y, et al. 2001. Comparison of properties and cost of different sand-fixing system along Tarim Desert Highway. Journal of Desert Research, 21(1): 45–49. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Gu F X, Wen Q K, Pan B R. 2000. Research on soil physico-chemical properties of artificial vegetation in center of Taklimakan Desert. Journal of Arid Land Resources and Environment, 14(1): 74–79. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Han Z, Wang T, Dong Z, et al. 2007. Chemical stabilization of mobile dunefields along a highway in the Taklimakan Desert of China. Journal of Arid Environments, 68(2): 260–270.

    Google Scholar 

  • Han Z W, Yao Z Y, Shao G S. 2000. Approaches to several problems concerning sand control system of Tarim Desert highway. Arid Land Resources and Environment, 2: 35–40. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Han Z W, Wang T, Sun Q W, et al. 2003. Sand harm in Taklimakan Desert Highway and sand control. Acta Geographic Sinica, 13(1): 45–52. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Huang Y, Wang Y D, Zhao Y. 2015. Spatiotemporal distribution of soil moisture and salinity in the Taklimakan Desert Highway Shelterbelt. Water, 7(8): 4343–4361.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jin Z Z, Lei J Q, Xu X W, et al. 2008. Evaluation of soil fertility of the shelter-forest land along the Trim Desert Highway. Chinese Science Bulletin, 53(Supp II): 125–136.

    Google Scholar 

  • Johnson T. 1996. Strong wind effects on railway operations-16th October 1987. Journal of Wind Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics, 60: 251–266.

    Google Scholar 

  • Khier W, Breuer M, Durst F. 2000. Flow structure around trains under side wind conditions: A numerical study. Computers & Fluids, 29(2): 179–195.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lei J Q, Wang X Q, Wang D. 2003. The formation of the blown sand disaster to the Tarim Desert Highway, Xinjiang, China. Arid Zone Research, 20(1): 1–6. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Lei J Q, Li S Y, Jin Z Z. 2008. Comprehensive eco-environmental effects of the shelter-forest ecological engineering along the Tarim Desert Highway. Chinese Science Bulletin, 53(Supp II): 190–202.

    Google Scholar 

  • Li B W, Xu X W, Lei J Q. 2008. Site type classification for the shelter-forest ecological project along the Tarim Desert Highway. Chinese Science Bulletin, 53(Supp II): 31–40.

    Google Scholar 

  • Li C J, Li Y, Ma J. 2011. Spatial heterogeneity of soil chemical properties at fine scales induced by Haloxylon ammodendron (Chenopodiaceae) plants in a sandy desert. Ecological Research, 26(2): 385–394.

    Google Scholar 

  • Li C J, Lei J Q, Zhao Y. 2015. Effect of saline water irrigation on soil development and plant growth in the Taklimakan Desert Highway shelterbelt. Soil Tillage Research, 146: 99–107.

    Google Scholar 

  • Li C J, Shi X, Mohamad O A. 2017. Moderate irrigation intervals facilitate establishment of two desert shrubs in the Taklimakan Desert Highway Shelterbelt in China. PLoS ONE, 12(7): e0180875, doi: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0180875.

    Google Scholar 

  • Li C J, Liu R, Wang S J. 2018. Growth and sustainability of Suaeda salsa in the Lop Nur, China. Journal of Arid Land, 10(3): 429–440.

    Google Scholar 

  • Li S Y, Tang Q L, Lei J Q. 2015. An overview of non-conventional water resource utilization technologies for biological sand control in Xinjiang, northwest China. Environmental Earth Sciences, 73(2): 7873–7885.

    Google Scholar 

  • Malagnoux M, Sène E H, Atzmon N. 2007. Forests, trees and water in arid lands: A delicate balance. Unasylva, 58(229): 24–29.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mariscal I, Pereqrina F, Terefe T. 2007. Evolution of some physical properties related to soil quality in the degraded ecosystems of “raña” formations from SW Spain. Science of The Total Environment, 378(1–2): 130–132.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nash D J. 1999. World atlas of desertification. Geographical Journal, 165: 325–326.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ofori L, Showstack R. 2010. Desertification awareness decade. EOS Transactions American Geophysical Union, 91(37): 327.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tuoheti N, Abulaiti M, Ahmed Z. 2013. Anti-desertification legislation and ecological problems in Xinjiang China. Journal of Politics and Law, 6(3): 160–168.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang H F, Lei J Q, Li S Y, et al. 2008. Effect of the shelterbelt along the Tarim Desert Highway on air temperature and humidity. Chinese Science Bulletin, 53: 41–52.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang X Q, Lei J Q, Huang Q. 2000. Study on spatial distribution of wind-sand hazard along Tarim Desert Highway. Journal of Desert Research, 20(4): 438–442. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang Y D, Zhao Y, Li S Y. 2018. Soil aggregation formation in relation to planting time, water salinity, and species in the Taklimakan Desert Highway shelterbelt. Journal of Soils and Sediments, 18(4): 1466–1477.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wei Y P, Fan J L, Xu X W, et al. 2017. Water table response to a pumping test in the hinterland core area of the Taklimakan Desert, China. Tecnologia Y Ciencias Del Agua, 8(2): 151–158.

    Google Scholar 

  • Xu X W, Hu Y K, Pan B R. 1998. Analysis on protection effect of various measures of combating drifting sand on Tarim Desert Highway. Arid Zone Research, 15(1): 21–26. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Xu X W, Li B W, Wang X J. 2006. Progress in study on irrigation practice with saline groundwater on sandlands of Taklimakan Desert Hinterland. Chinese Science Bulletin, 51(Supp I): 161–166.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yu X X, Li S Y, Wang H F. 2017. Aeolian-sand flow structure at different locations along desert highway shelterbelt. Arid Zone Research, 34(3): 21–26. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang J, Li S Y, Jin Z Z. 2011. Relationship between species diversity of herbaceous plants in the shelterbelt and environment factors. Arid Zone Research, 28(1): 118–125. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang J G, Xu X W, Lei J Q. 2009. Progress in the researches of sand drift disasters and defense system along the Tarim Desert Highway. Journal of Northwest Forestry University, 24(2): 50–54. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang J G, Lei J Q, Wang Y D. 2016. Survival and growth of three afforestation species under high saline drip irrigation in the Taklimakan Desert, China. Ecosphere, 7(5): e01285, doi: https://doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.1285.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang K C, Qu J J, Liao K T. 2010. Damage by wind-blown sand and its control along Qinghai-Tibet Railway in China. Aeolian Research, 1(3–4): 143–146.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang X M, Wang Y D, Zhao Y, et al. 2017. Litter decomposition and nutrient dynamics of three woody halophytes in the Taklimakan Desert Highway Shelterbelt. Arid Land Research and Management, 31(3): 335–351.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhou Z B, Xu X W, Lei J Q. 2006. Salt balance and movement of Tarim Desert Highway Shelterbelt irrigated by saline water. Arid Land Geography, 29(4): 470–475. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhu Z D, Chen Z, Wu Z, et al. 1981. Study on the Geomorphology of Wind-Droft Sands in the Taklimakan Desert. Beijing: Science Press, 27–70. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (31971731, 41771121), the Xinjiang National Key Research and Development Program (2019B00005), the National Key Research and Development Program (2017YFC0506705), and the Youth Innovation Promotion Association of Chinese Academy of Sciences (2017476).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. National Engineering Technology Research Center for Desert-Oasis Ecological Construction, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi, 830011, China

    Congjuan Li, Yongdong Wang, Jiaqiang Lei, Xinwen Xu, Shijie Wang, Jinglong Fan & Shengyu Fan

  2. Taklimakan Desert Research Station, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Korla, 841000, China

    Congjuan Li, Yongdong Wang, Jiaqiang Lei, Xinwen Xu, Shijie Wang, Jinglong Fan & Shengyu Fan

  3. Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi, 830052, China

    Shijie Wang

Authors
  1. Congjuan Li
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Yongdong Wang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Jiaqiang Lei
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Xinwen Xu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Shijie Wang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Jinglong Fan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Shengyu Fan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Yongdong Wang or Jiaqiang Lei.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Li, C., Wang, Y., Lei, J. et al. Damage by wind-blown sand and its control measures along the Taklimakan Desert Highway in China. J. Arid Land 13, 98–106 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40333-020-0071-0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40333-020-0071-0

Keywords

Search

Navigation