Advances in the Comprehensive Scientific Investigation of the Kumtag Desert

Abstract

The Kumtag Desert is the sixth largest desert in China.In this study,basic data regarding this desert and some new findings based on comprehensive scientific investigation and the results of field observation,sampling analysis and data collection are presented.The area of the desert was approximately 2.29×104 km2 in 2001,and it tends to be progressing southeastward through peripheral expansion.Morphologically,Barchan chains are dominant in the Kumtag Desert,followed by featherlike longitudinal ridges,pyramid dunes and complex dunes.The "axis" of featherlike longitudinal ridges is a complex type of dune ridge.Barchan dunes in the region connect one after another,and there is a hypsography in the zones between dune ridges.Additionally,there are some camber sand ridges that have formed vertically to the main dune ridges.All of the sand ridges form special featherlike longitudinal ridges.In areas with the special featherlike longitudinal ridges,the prevailing wind is northeast year round,the annual average wind speed is 5.94 m·s-1,and the total sediment transport potential is 944.46 VU.In the present study,107 plant species and 79 invertebrate species were identified.Furthermore,drinking water sources utilized by wild camels in the western portion of the desert were identified.Moreover,camels were found to migrate seasonally to different steppes in the desert.Additionally,several new distribution areas of rare desert plants were identified.Finally,the results of this study demonstrated that the desert formed in the mid-Pleistocene Period,7.0×105 years ago.