Desert Areas Of China Research Articles

Air pollution and diabetes mellitus: Association and validation in a desert area in China.

Despite the growing evidence pointing to the detrimental effects of air pollution on diabetes mellitus (DM), the relationship remains poorly explored, especially in desert-adjacent areas characterized by high aridity and pollution. We conducted a cross-sectional study with health examination data from over 2.9 million adults in two regions situated in the southern part of the Taklamakan Desert, China. We assessed three-year average concentrations (2018-2020) of particulate matter (PM1, PM2.5, and PM10), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and sulfur dioxide (SO2) through a space-time extra-trees model. After adjusting for various covariates, we employed generalized linear mixed models to evaluate the association between exposure to air pollutants and DM. The odds ratios for DM associated with a 10 µg/m3 increase in PM1, PM2.5, PM10, CO, and NO2 were 1.898 (95% CI: 1.741, 2.070), 1.07 (95% CI: 1.053, 1.086), 1.013 (95% CI: 1.008, 1.018), 1.009 (95% CI: 1.007, 1.011), and 1.337 (95% CI: 1.234, 1.449), respectively. Notably, men, individuals aged ≥50 years, those with lower educational attainment, nonsmokers, and those not engaging in physical exercise displayed more susceptible to the adverse effects of air pollution. Multiple sensitivity analyses confirmed the stability of these findings. Our study provides robust evidence of a correlation between prolonged exposure to air pollution and the prevalence of DM among individuals living in the desert-adjacent areas. This research contributes to the expanding knowledge on the relationship between air pollution exposure and DM prevalence in desert-adjacent areas.

Changes in land use and ecosystem service value in desert areas of China after reform and opening up

Changes in land use and ecosystem service value in desert areas of China after reform and opening up

Analysis of the Application of Windbreak and Sand Fixation Technology in Desert Roads

In order to solve the problems in the construction of desert roads and improve the quality of desert roads in China this paper discusses the current windbreak and sand fixation technologies in desert areas in China and puts forward relevant suggestions and corresponding solutions for each problem. This paper is written with hopes of contributing to the development of windbreak and sand fixation technologies in China as well as the development of the economy society and environment in China's deserts.

Long-term variations in spatiotemporal clustering characteristics of dust events in potential dust sources in East Asia

Dust storms, originating in desert areas of China and Mongolia, have long been a primary environmental concern in East Asia and beyond. Even though the frequency of dust storms has been steadily decreasing since the 1980s, the spatiotemporal clustering and variability of dust events, including floating dust (FD) and dust outbreak (DO), remain poorly quantified and studied in the context of climate change. Therefore, in this study, we analyzed the spatiotemporal clustering characteristics of dust events and explored the possible correlation between long-term variations in surface vegetation and dust events in potential dust source (PDS) regions in East Asia, mainly China and Mongolia. As a result, the interannual, intermonth, and peak season variability in China is lower than that in Mongolia. In China, the peak seasons of FD are longer than that of DO. In Mongolia, however, a contrary scenario is observed, where the peak seasons of FD has been gradually prolonged. Significant increasing trend mainly distributed in the Taklimakan Desert, along the north of the Yellow River, and in the north Gobi Desert. By examining the transfer trajectory of gravity center of dust events, it indicates that the gravity centers of FD and DO in China have been transferring from the east to the west of the Taklimakan Desert and the Badain Jaran Desert, respectively; and in Mongolia, the gravity center of FD has been shifting from the south to the northwest in the Gobi Desert, while the gravity center of DO has been gradually moving eastward near Ulaanbaatar. Furthermore, higher vegetation coverage is positively correlated with suppressed dust activity. These findings would provide a reliable scientific foundation for measures to prevent dust disaster and to mitigate the negative effects of dust events, and practical guidelines for safeguarding and strengthening human settlements.

Effect of drip irrigation on seed yield, seed quality and water use efficiency of Hedysarum fruticosum in the arid region of Northwest China

Shortage of high-quality seeds of native species, particularly for xerophyte shrubs, have severely limited grassland restoration in the arid region of China. However, little attention has been devoted to improving seed yield and quality in the xerophyte shrub. We conducted a three-year field experiment from 2019 to 2020 to investigate the effects of four irrigation treatments (i.e., W0: non-irrigated control; W1: irrigation at winter; W2: irrigation at winter and regreening; W3: irrigation at winter, regreening, and peak flowering) via subsurface drip irrigation on the seed yield and quality of Hedysarum fruticosum, a dominant leguminous shrub in the desert areas of China. The results showed that seed yield increased as irrigation frequency increased regardless of growth season. The yearly average seed yields were 98.0, 107.7, 179.3, and 265.5 kg hm−2 for W0, W1, W2, and W3 irrigation, respectively. Seed yield decreased in each subsequent growth year in all irrigation treatments, and the variation in seed yield each year was the highest in W0 and lowest in W3 irrigation. Compared to 2019, the seed yield of W0 decreased by 47 % and 66 %, but yields of the W3 irrigation treatment decreased by 8 % and 19 % in 2020 and 2021, respectively. Meanwhile, irrigation significantly affected seed yield components; the number of florets and pods per stem under the W3 irrigation treatment was two to three times that of W0 irrigation for three years. The structural equation model revealed that pods per stem had the largest direct positive effect on seed yield (path factor p = 0.44), followed by seeds per pod (path factor p = 0.36). Irrigation treatments affected seed germination percentage and seed size, which increased as irrigations times increased. A similar water use efficiency was achieved in W0 and W3 in three years, and W1 treatment had the lowest water use efficiency. In conclusion, we recommend W3 treatment to increase seed yield and quality, especially in arid regions. Future breeding objectives and agronomic practice for H.fruticosum should pay more attention to increasing pods per stem. Our study can be used as a reference for taking appropriate agronomic measures to improve the seed yield of H.fruticosum and similar shrubs.

Changes in soil phosphorus fractions associated with altered vegetation and edaphic conditions across a chronosequence of revegetated dunes in a desert area

Revegetation through the establishment of woody vegetation on bare active dunes is an effective approach to restore degraded dune systems. Revegetation can affect soil inorganic and organic phosphorus (Pi and Po) cycling and storage by modifying biotic and abiotic conditions (vegetation characteristics and soil properties, respectively). However, how shrub revegetation and revegetation age affect soil P fractions and how biotic and abiotic factors interact to mediate revegetation effects on P fractions are poorly understood. To address these questions, we conducted a field survey in an artificially established chronosequence of revegetated dunes in a desert area of China, with five differently aged revegetated sites (19, 32, 46, 55, and 63 years) and an adjacent non-revegetated control site. We investigated changes in soil Pi and Po fractions of decreasing lability (labile P: resin Pi and NaHCO3-extractable Pi/Po; moderately labile P: NaOH-extractable Pi/Po; recalcitrant P: HCl-extractable Pi/Po and residual P) and vegetation and edaphic properties as predictors. Boosted regression trees analysis was used to evaluate the contributions of individual predictors to variability in P fractions, and structural equation modeling was used to determine the interactive effects of multiple predictors. Concentrations of soil P fractions were 65–114% greater in revegetated sites compared with the non-revegetated control, but the magnitude of this effect varied with revegetation age. Furthermore, soil total P and its fraction concentrations increased with revegetation age, but the accumulation rates of total P and most P fractions were greatest during the first 19 years after revegetation. Revegetation-induced soil total and available P increases were caused by multiple factors, including enhanced P inputs from dust deposition and plants due to increased vegetation cover and surface litter and root biomass, and enhanced Po and Pi mobilization due to increased soil alkaline phosphatase activity and decreased soil pH. Edaphic properties exerted greater controls over the spatiotemporal dynamics of soil P than vegetation changes, but the key influential factors differed among P fractions. We conclude that revegetation significantly increased the labile, moderately labile, and non-labile P pools and that the effects of revegetation were fraction- and time-dependent, with important implications for managing soil P cycling in revegetated desert ecosystems.

Mechanisms of land degradation and their environmental implications in a middle‐latitude desert area of China

AbstractThe movement of aeolian materials and dynamics of dune landforms are results of the transportation and accumulation of sandy sediments under the influence of climate, in which the processes that gave birth to sand dune formations are complex as the arid area has experienced different periods of humidity and aridity. These dynamics are still not well understood at present, especially at the inter‐decadal time scale. Based on a comprehensive analysis of geomorphological, sedimentological, geochemical, and ecohydrological data, this study discussed the dynamical changes of different dune landforms during the past half‐century and their formation mechanism in the Hexi Corridor, northern China. The results show that on the inter‐annual and inter‐decadal scales, the crescent‐shaped dunes move the fastest among different dune types. Dunes in Minqin move the fastest (at 6.2 ± 0.5 m yr−1) and dunes in Dunhuang move the slowest (at 0.8 ± 0.2 m yr−1). The dune sands are mainly medium sand (21.7%–57.4%) and fine sand (23.2%–53.0%) with an average grain size of 0.07 ± 0.01 mm ~0.24 ± 0.06 mm, similar to the world's average particle size of sand dunes. Annual precipitation and spring precipitation, annual average wind speed, and number of annual strong wind days are the main factors affecting the dynamic changes of dunes in the Corridor, indicating a major influence of climatic factors. STC (sufficient transport capacity) is evidenced for both the western and eastern Hexi Corridor, however, SSS (sufficient sand supply) and SA (sand availability) are the favourable factor for dune formation in the east part but is the limiting factor for the west. In the past half‐century, although the vulnerability of land degradation is a function of climate change, geomorphological processes, and anthropogenic pressure in the Hexi Corridor, water resource limitations have been more important.

Research Trends and Focus on the Deserts of Northern China: A Bibliometric Analysis During 1986–2020

With the economic progress and scientific development since the 1980s, research on deserts in China has advanced remarkably. Many research outputs have been published, especially in recent years. However, a systematic review and quantitative analysis of these publications has been lacking. Here, we conducted a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of the main deserts in China in order to characterize the trends and temporal changes in publications. Because the first publication was found in 1986, we searched all publications from 1986 to 2020. We found that annual publication output increased exponentially, especially after 2012, and that the Tengger Desert, the Taklimakan Desert, and the Horqin Sandy Land were the most intensively studied areas. Earth science, involving environmental science and ecology, geology, and agriculture were the major research fields. In addition, Journal of Arid Land, Chinese Science Bulletin, and Catena were the journals with the largest number of publications. The Chinese Academy of Sciences produced the largest number of publications, wherein, Li X R, Zhao X Y, and Zhang Y M were the three most productive authors. Noticeably, “climate change” has become a frequent topic since 2010, indicating that more attention has been paid to climate change and alleviating anthropogenic disturbances in desert areas in China. Although Chinese authors contributed the most publications, the average number of citations per publication for Chinese authors was relatively low. Our results highlight that authors should continue to improve the number of citations of their publications and pay more attention to the interactions between climate change and desertification in the deserts research of Northern China in the futures.

The autumn haze-fog episode enhanced by the transport of dust aerosols in the Tianjin area

Abstract Dust aerosols from the desert areas of China can be lifted to the upper troposphere and transported eastward by the westerly, affecting regional and local air pollution process. In this paper, we analyzed the long-range transport of dust and its impact on the haze-fog process that occurred in Tianjin from 23 November to 5 December 2018. Satellite and ERA5 reanalysis data revealed that dust from northwestern China was transported to eastern China by the westerly flow behind the troughs, which subsequently enhanced the air pollution in Tianjin area. On 26 November and 2 December, the visibility was less than 2 km with a relative humidity (RH) over 90%, indicating there was fog weather in Tianjin. The dust influx from the northwest direction mixed with ground pollutants, increased the PM2.5 and PM10 mass concentrations and enhanced the air pollution with the cumulative peak value of the PM2.5 mass concentration reaching over 300 μg/m3 on 26 November. On 27 November and 3 December, the wind speed increased and large dust particles were transported to Tianjin, the PM10 mass concentration exceeded a much higher value of 550 μg/m3 whereas the PM2.5 mass concentration decreased to its lowest value, indicating dust weather followed the typical haze-fog pollution period in Tianjin. The ground lidar observations indicated that a large amount of non-spherical dust aerosols transmitted to Tianjin at 1.5~2.5 km height and settled down near the ground, which substantially affected the aerosol optical characteristics and air quality over the area. The influx of dust successive after the haze-fog weather, aggravated the air pollution process in Tianjin area, make it lasting for 153 h.

An Integrated Approach for Detection and Prediction of Greening Situation in a Typical Desert Area in China and Its Human and Climatic Factors Analysis

The combined study of vegetation coverage (VC) and land use change provides important scientific guidance for the restoration and protection of arid regions. Taking Hongjian Nur (HJN) Lake in the desert region as a case study, the VC of this area was calculated using a normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), which is based on a mixed pixel decomposition method. A grey forecasting model (GM) (1, 1) was used to predict future VC. The driving factors of VC and land use change were analyzed. The results indicate that the average VC of the whole watershed showed a gradual increase from 0.29 to 0.49 during 2000–2017. The prediction results of the GM VC showed that the greening trend is projected to continue until 2027. The area of farmland in the watershed increased significantly and its area was mainly converted from unused land, grassland, and forest. The reason for increased VC may be that the combination of the exploitation of unused land and climate change, which is contrary to the country’s sustainable development goals (SDG; goal 15). Therefore, the particularities of the local ecological environment in China’s desert area needs to be considered in the development of ecological engineering projects.

Comparative Analysis of Windy Accumulated Sands by Heavy-Typed Compaction and Surface Vibration Compression Method of Desert Areas in China

Windy accumulated sand samples are collected in the main desert (Sandy land) in China, they are carried out the comparative tests by heavy-typed compaction and surface vibrated compression method. The results show that the effect of surface vibrated compression is stronger than that of heavy-typed compaction in general, especially when the water content is approaching to 0 or the saturation state, the former is greater than the latter by about 1g/ cm3; When the water content is about ranging from 1 % to 5 %, the former is still mostly higher than the latter, yet not much and the most is under 0.3 g/ cm3, even the former is slightly lower than the latter sometimes; When the water content is within other intervals, it shows a transitional situation. The main reason is the influence of false cohesion arising from the capillary water. In view of this, when determining the compression standard (maximum dry density) for the construction of wind-accumulated sand base, the surface vibrated compression method should be adopted, especially when it is dry compression or full water compression.

Exposure to Asian dust within a few days of delivery is associated with placental abruption in Japan: a case-crossover study.

Asian dust is a natural phenomenon in which dust particles are transported from desert areas in China and Mongolia to East Asia. Short-term exposure to Asian dust has been associated with cardiovascular disease through mechanisms such as systemic inflammation. Because inflammation is a potential trigger of placental abruption, exposure may also lead to abruption. We examined whether exposure to Asian dust was associated with abruption. A bi-directional, time-stratified case-crossover design. From the Japan Perinatal Registry Network database, we identified 3014 patients who delivered singleton births in hospitals in nine Japanese prefectures from 2009 to 2014 with a diagnosis of placental abruption. Asian dust levels were measured at Light Detection and Ranging monitoring stations, and these measurements were used to define the Asian dust days. As there was no information on the onset day of abruption, we assumed this day was the day before delivery (lag1). Placental abruption. During the study period, the Asian dust days ranged from 15 to 71days, depending on the prefecture. The adjusted odds ratio of placental abruption associated with exposure to Asian dust was 1.4 (95% confidence interval=1.0, 2.0) for cumulative lags of 1-2days. Even after adjustment for co-pollutant exposures, this association did not change substantially. In this Japanese multi-area study, exposure to Asian dust was associated with an increased risk of placental abruption. Exposure to environmental factors such as Asian dust may be a trigger of placental abruption.

Health Effects of Asian Dust Events: A Literature Review Update of Epidemiological Evidence

Asian dust is a phenomenon involving the long-range transport of atmospheric pollutants originating from the desert areas of China and Mongolia. In recent years, the health effects of Asian dust have raised public concerns. Numerous studies on the health effects of Asian dust have been published since the last review in 2010. Thus, a literature review was conducted to shed light on the latest epidemiologic findings. PubMed and Science Direct databases were used for the review of epidemiologic studies published between June 2009 and April 2018. We identified 53 epidemiologic studies. Mortality, ambulance transportation, hospitalization/medical examination, changes in symptomatic, functional, and examination findings, as well as birth outcomes have been reported as outcomes. When the outcomes were categorized by disease, the effects of Asian dust on respiratory, cardiovascular, and allergic diseases raised concerns. The common evidences of causation between Asian dust and these diseases were the consistency of findings and temporal sequence of association. As results of research on dose-response relationships have become available, and the possibility that the health effects of Asian dust may vary depending on its chemical composition has been pointed out, further research using the exposure level indicators of Asian dust or its chemical composition should be conducted. Furthermore, with focus on the crucial issue of reducing exposure, research related to prevention and raising awareness should be further promoted.

Characteristics of particulate-bound mercury at typical sites situated on dust transport paths in China

The concentrations and seasonal variations of PBM (particulate-bound mercury) were observed at four dust source sites (Duolun, Yulin, Hetian, and Tazhong), two megacities (Shanghai and Beijing), and an island site (Huaniao Island) to obtain the spatiotemporal characteristics of PBM in dust transport path from desert area in China to the East China Sea. The highest annual mean concentrations of PBM in TSP (PBMTSP) were observed at megacity sites, reaching 146.7 pg/m3 and 274.7 pg/m3 in Shanghai and Beijing attributed primarily to anthropogenic emissions, while 39.7 pg/m3, 67.3 pg/m3, 61.0 pg/m3, 23.5 pg/m3 and 43.6 pg/m3 over Duolun, Yulin, Hetian, Tazhong, and Huaniao Island, respectively. PBM concentrations were higher in winter and autumn, while lower in spring and summer due to the variation of meteorological conditions (especially temperature and wind speed) together with the emission sources. Enrichment factors (EFs) of PBMTSP and PBM2.5 reached 158 and 1452 in Beijing, showing the serious anthropogenic emissions impacted on PBM pollution in megacities, and the profound high level of EFs of mercury in sand dust source sites (17–64 for TSP and 38–252 for PM2.5), suggesting the obvious mixing effect of dust and anthropogenic aerosols in dust source areas. Human activities played a major role in the increase of PBM concentrations and the enrichment factors during the long-range transport of air mass in China. The significant anthropogenic mercury emissions in the dust source areas and their long-range transport driven by the East Asian Monsoon might impact on the ecological cycle of mercury and should be taken into the mercury inventories. Coal combustion and smelting contributed 52–94% to PBM over all three types of sampling sites, and mining operations were additional sources of PBM in Yulin. In the coastal area, sea salt is an important source of PBM, and shipping could also contribute a certain proportion to PBM pollution which shouldn't be ignored.

Variable-Order Finite Difference Scheme for Numerical Simulation in 3-D Poroelastic Media

The numerical simulation of wave fields in 3-D poroelastic media can give a better understanding of elastic properties, deformation characteristics of rocks, and interaction with pore fluids. However, the wave equations in 3-D poroelastic media include more equations, and the size of geophysical model for practical reservoir is immense. Therefore, numerical simulation is time consuming. In order to improve the efficiency, we proposed variable-order staggered-grid (SG) finite difference (FD) method to solve 3-D poroelastic wave equations. In this method, different orders of SGFD scheme can be selected for different velocities in a heterogeneous poroelastic model by restricting the dispersion parameters within a tolerable threshold. We derive the dispersion relation, numerical dispersion relation, and stability condition for 3-D poroelastic media using plane wave analysis and SGFD scheme. Based on the numerical dispersion relation of slow P-wave, S-wave, and fast P-wave, we restrict the average of dispersion parameters of the three waves within a given range; the orders of the SGFD scheme can be calculated for different velocities. Dispersion analysis shows that the variable-order SGFD method can maintain the accuracy compared with the fixed-order SGFD method. We use three numerical examples, which include laterally homogeneous model, a simplified overthrust model, and a geophysical model in a desert area in China, to demonstrate the accuracy and efficiency of the proposed method. The numerical results confirm that the variable-order SGFD method can reduce the computation time efficiently and still ensure the accuracy.

Ultrastructure and distribution of sensilla on the maxillary and labial palps of Chlorophorus caragana (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae).

Chlorophorus caragana is a species of long-horned beetle that damages Caragana davazamcii Sancz. (Fabales: Papilionaceae) bushes in desert areas in China. The beetles cause substantial damage to local forestry plantations and the environment. Sensilla on the maxillary and labial palps of coleopterans a allow the insects to recognize their host plants. We used scanning and transmission electron microscopy to study the ultrastructure, distribution, and abundance of various sensilla on the maxillary and labial palps of C. caragana. We found four types of sensilla including ten subtypes: one of Böhm's bristles, three of sensilla chaetica, one of digitiform sensilla, and five of sensilla twig basiconica. The types and distribution of the sensilla on the maxillary and labial palps were highly similar between males and females. Finally, this article discusses the functions of the sensilla of related species in recognizing hosts and the significance of gustation studies in the context of the control of C. caragana.

Simulation and evaluation of dust emissions with WRF-Chem (v3.7.1) and its relationship to the changing climate over East Asia from 1980 to 2015

Dust particles have been long recognized to affect the atmospheric radiative balance and are influenced by climate change. Impacts of climate change on dust emissions in East Asia, however, are not well understood. In this work, we conduct an evaluation of meteorological variables and dust emissions using the Weather Research and Forecasting model coupled with chemistry (WRF-Chem) and examine the relationships between dust emissions and meteorological variables (wind speed, precipitation, and temperature) over East Asia during the period of 1980–2015. Model simulated surface meteorological variables compared well overall with surface-based observations, consistent with other WRF studies. Compared to observations, the coarse particulate matter (PM10-2.5) concentrations were underpredicted for most dust source regions of East Asia with a domain-wide mean bias and correlation of −40.2 μg m−3 and 0.5 against observations, respectively. Dust particulate concentrations simulated by WRF-Chem were found to reproduce the observed spatial variability in surface dust particulates over East Asia. The average annual dust emission (0 < r < 20 μm) is around 67.4 Tg yr−1 and the dust emission increased with the trend of 0.173 Tg yr−1 (R2 = 0.03, P = 0.32) in China and Mongolia over the past four decades. The spatial and temporal variations of dust emissions in China and Mongolia indicate that the annual dust flux has increased in desert areas of China and Mongolia, but decreased in most Gobi regions of China. Dust emission is significantly positively and negatively correlated with wind velocity and precipitation at the regional scale. Spatial patterns of seasonal correlations between dust flux and climate varies greatly during the period of 1980–2015.

Climate changes at millennium scale in East Asian monsoon during OIS3a in Badain Jaran Desert, China

The CGS3a from the Chagelebulu section locates southeast of China’s Badain Jaran Desert. This area includes 5.5 sedimentary cycles that consist of lacustrine facies and eolian dune sands or loess during the OIS3a. Based on analyses of contents of Rb and Sr and ratios of Rb/Sr in the CGS3a, along with particle Mz (Φ) and σ, the values of contents of Rb and Sr and ratios of Rb/Sr in the dune sands or loess are lower than those in the lacustrine facies, showing 5.5 fluctuations, which are similar to the sedimentary cycles in the CGS3a segment. Therefore, the CGS3a segment reveals 5.5 warm–wet and cold–arid climate cycles that are controlled by the East Asian winter and summer monsoons in the OIS3a. This trend suggests climate changes at the millennium scale in the East Asian monsoon in the desert areas of China during the OIS3a period. Among those changes, the cold periods correspond well to the Heinrich Events, and warm periods are consistent with the Dansgaard–Oeschger events in the Greenland ice-core project. The millennium-scale climate variation in the East Asian monsoon is the actual regional response to the global climate variations during the OIS3a period.

Plantation Research for Prevention of Desertification in Gansusheng Baiyin Desert Area in China

Plantation Research for Prevention of Desertification in Gansusheng Baiyin Desert Area in China

Stable Isotopic Analysis on Water Utilization of Two Xerophytic Shrubs in a Revegetated Desert Area: Tengger Desert, China

Stable isotope studies on stable isotope ratios of hydrogen and oxygen in water within plants provide new information on water sources and water use patterns under natural conditions. In this study, the sources of water uptake for two typical xerophytic shrubs, Caragana korshinskii and Artemisia ordosica, were determined at four different-aged revegetated sites (1956, 1964, 1981, and 1987) in the Tengger Desert, a revegetated desert area in China. Samples from precipitation, soil water at different soil layers, and xylem water from each species were collected in 2013. The proportion of plant water sources derived from different potential sources was determined using oxygen (δ18O) and hydrogen (δD) stable isotope analysis combined with a multiple-source linear mixing model. Results showed that the local meteoric water line (LMWL) at Shapotou was as follows: δD = 7.39δ18O + 3.91 (R2 = 0.93; n = 26). The vertical distribution of soil water content in older vegetation areas (1956a and 1964a) was much lower than that in relatively younger vegetation areas (1981a and 1987a). Mean soil water δD and δ18O values varied with depth, and the variation decreased as the age of the revegetated site increased. In general, C. korshinskii and A. ordosica mainly tapped water from the upper soil layer (10–100 cm) during the wet seasons. With increasing sand stabilization age, the proportion of water sources from shallow soil water decreased, whereas deep soil moisture utilization increased. During the dry season, C. korshinskii and A. ordosica showed evident hierarchical utilization of soil water in different soil layers. Small rainfall events did not significantly affect the water source of C. korshinskii and A. ordosica. However, large rainfall events not only complemented the deep soil moisture, but also recharged the shallow soil water after a few days, and the proportion of soil water source from deep soil layer increased from 2% ± 0.7% to 10% ± 1.4% for both plants.