The Increase in Recent Years of Desertification in Northern China: Local and Global Impacts

The existence of large deserts in Northern China and Mongolia is an important historical phenomenon that has long affected human life. However, as human activity has increased in these areas in modern times, their aridity has also increased. Desertification in the region has led to changes in local lifestyles and settlement patterns, while at the same time having an impact at the global level through the long range transport of contaminated desert dust. The purpose of this research is to examine the anthropogenic forces that contribute to desertification in the region and the effects of increasing desertification at the local level, as well as its overall impact upon global climate change. The extent of dust storms originating in the region are illustrated using satellite imagery. Recent conservation efforts and policy decisions in regarding the issue are also investigated in detail, as are the socioeconomic changes that have resulted