Agroclimatological Problems in the Taklimakan Desert and Its Surrounding Area in NW China

Abstract

Agroclimatological problems in the Taklimakan Desert and its surrounding area in NW China were discussed with reference to the results of our previous studies carried on since the early 1990s, together with literature published in China. Farmers at the oases have been suffering from occasional heavy rainfall, causing floods and damaging construction works. It is worthy to note that human ecosystems in arid areas are more vulnerable to extremely wet conditions, which occur infrequently, than to dry conditions.Agroclimatologically, strong sand-dust storms, called “Kara Bran (Black Wind),” also play a seriously negative role in the Taklimakan Desert. Cotton, which is cultivated as a main cash crop for the farmers, has frequently been damaged severely. The amount of water used for irrigation per family is decreasing because of population growth. Limits on the ratio of irrigated land to total cultivated land differ between the northern fringe and the southern fringe of the Tarim Basin. The tributary size (population) is also important in determining the limits. The crop calendar is decided by the amount of water available. The income of farmers' families is very low, because of low production under the severe environmental conditions for cultivation, which are common at desert oases. Raising the income of the farmers is one way to decrease or alleviate desertification, because they wouldn't have to go to the desert to collect firewood. The farmers who are living under the severe economic conditions cannot buy coal because of the price. The farmer's recognition of an increasing trend in the frequency of very strong winds, Kara Bran, is quite accurate, according to the interview survey. The results coincide with the records at the local meteorological observatories.