Examining the reversal of soil erosion decline in the hotspots of sandstorms: A non-linear ecosystem dynamic perspective

Jiang，Chong1,2; Yang，Zhiyuan3; Wang，Xinchi4; Dong，Xinling5; Li，Zhouyuan6,7; Li，Congying8

2021-03-01

10.1016/j.jaridenv.2020.104421

JOURNAL OF ARID ENVIRONMENTS   影响因子和分区

0140-1963

1095-922X

Land degradation neutrality (LDN) has been widely recognized as an important target to achieve goals for global sustainable development. Ecological restoration projects (ERPs) are considered a traditional approach to mitigate wind erosion by altering the structures and functions of the ecosystem. Thus, the efficiency of China's historical large-scale ERPs for wind erosion mitigation should be examined and optimized to better address this global environmental challenge. We assessed the change in wind erosion using a biophysical model and investigated the associated drivers identified. In addition, the efficiency of ERPs was examined by adopting the theory of nonlinear ecosystem dynamics. The erosion modulus significantly declined from 1990 to 2017, but this declining trend reversed since 2009. The structural equation model and related analyses revealed that the declining wind speed, wetting soil moisture, and vegetation greening substantially reduced wind erosion, while the reversal of declining wind speed around 2009 aggravated wind erosion, particularly in the northern Inner Mongolia Sandstorm Area. The relatively arid climate restricted vegetation restoration and further offset afforestation efforts, resulting in the transition of declining erosion modulus. From the perspective of non-linear ecosystem dynamics, a wet climate provides a crucial window of opportunity for ERP in drylands, while the window of risks due to dry and windy climates may extend the time required for a shift change after ERP and may postpone the stage change toward the LDN goal. Hence, climate-induced windows of opportunity and risks are crucial in identifying the time for initiating ERPs, and existing environmental conditions and critical thresholds should be carefully considered.

Land degradation Wind erosion Ecological restoration project Non-linear ecosystem dynamic Northern dryland

SCI

英语

其他

National Natural Science Foundation of China[41901258] ; Guangdong Academy of Sciences (GDAS) Project of Science and Technology Development[2020GDASYL-20200301003]

Environmental Sciences & Ecology

Ecology ; Environmental Sciences

WOS:000611830300006

ACADEMIC PRESS LTD- ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD

ENVIRONMENT/ECOLOGY

Web of Science

1.Guangdong Open Laboratory of Geospatial Information Technology and Application,Guangzhou Institute of Geography,Guangdong Academy of Sciences,Guangzhou,510070,China
2.Key Lab of Guangdong for Utilization of Remote Sensing and Geographical Information System,Guangzhou,510070,China
3.Department of Infrastructure Engineering,The University of Melbourne,Victoria,3010,Australia
4.School of Environmental Science and Engineering,Southern University of Science and Technology,Shenzhen,518055,China
5.Hebei Oriental University,Langfang,065001,China
6.School of Grassland Science,Beijing Forestry University,Beijing,100083,China
7.Institute of Ecology,College of Urban and Environmental Sciences,Ministry of Education Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes,Peking University,Beijing,100871,China
8.Zhanjiang Planning and Design Reconnaissance Institute,Zhanjiang,524002,China

Jiang，Chong,Yang，Zhiyuan,Wang，Xinchi,et al. Examining the reversal of soil erosion decline in the hotspots of sandstorms: A non-linear ecosystem dynamic perspective[J]. JOURNAL OF ARID ENVIRONMENTS,2021,186.

Jiang，Chong,Yang，Zhiyuan,Wang，Xinchi,Dong，Xinling,Li，Zhouyuan,&Li，Congying.(2021).Examining the reversal of soil erosion decline in the hotspots of sandstorms: A non-linear ecosystem dynamic perspective.JOURNAL OF ARID ENVIRONMENTS,186.

Jiang，Chong,et al."Examining the reversal of soil erosion decline in the hotspots of sandstorms: A non-linear ecosystem dynamic perspective".JOURNAL OF ARID ENVIRONMENTS 186(2021).