The general goal,system structure and the research contents and methods in establishing the Technical System for
National Regional Geological Environment Monitoring of Remote Sensing Technology are discussed in this paper.
The salinity characteristics and spectral characteristics of salt-affected soil constitute the basic research
contents in hyperspectral remote sensing quantitative monitoring of saline soil. The Caka-Gonghe basin is situated in the
eastern margin of the Qaidam Basin, where the soil salinization is typical. Based on the physical and chemical analysis of
the soil and laboratory spectra of the samples, this paper discusses the salinity characteristics and spectral
characteristics of the samples and analyzes the regularity of the variation of the spectral characteristics with the
salinity characteristics. Studies have shown that chloride saline soil is dominant in the study area, and that the spectral
characteristics show marked differences due to the different salinities in the saline soil.
Active structures as well as geological disasters and earthquakes frequently occur in Sanjiang region, and hence
regional geological environment stability becomes the most important problem in the study area, which affects seriously
many aspects of people’s life. To evaluate the stability of the study area quickly and effectively, this paper adopted
remote sensing and GIS technologies to analyze the geological factors related to the stability. With the Weight Method of
Evidence based on such regional geological environmental factors as earthquake, geological disaster, active fault,
litohology and geomorphology, the authors made a quantitative assessment of the stability in Jinshajiang area of Yunnan
province and divided geological environment stability areas. On such a basis, this study not only probed into the
quantitative assessment technology and methods for regional geological environment assessment but also provided effective
information base and decision support for resources development.
Based on the linear features, the authors extracted river wetland information from ETM+ image by using the method
of advanced Canny edge extraction. Making use of both spectral and structural features of river wetland, this method acquired a good result.
In order to find out the desertification status of the Yangtze River Basin, this paper discusses the effective
automatic sorting of desertification land type, and the method for overcoming the phenomena of different things with the
same spectrum and the same thing with different spectra. Based on the waterpower desertification land, this paper probes
into the extraction method for land cover information in western Hunan area by using TM data information of Landsat. In the
light of multi-band data of TM, the normalized index(MNDWI NDVI NDBI) and the difference index were adopted. This paper has
also put forward the suggestion of multi-layer information extraction strategy based on TM images of TM3, TM4 and TM5
spectra. The results show that this method is simple and practical, and hence can serve as an effective way for remote
sensing information extraction of ground object.
Based on information of geological environment obtained by TM image and adopting the quantitative evaluation
method of multi-factor assignment, the authors analyzed and evaluated the stability of geological environment in the
Three-River basin and divided the region into stable area, relatively stable area, relatively unstable area and unstable
area. This study has put forward a new train of thought and method for regional comprehensive evaluation of geo-environment
based on regional sensing.
For level 2 remote sensing data of CBERS-02 satellite, polynomial model is usually used in geometric precision
correction. Compared with polynomial model, rational function has higher precision in hilly or mountain areas. With the
mountain area in northwest Gansu Province as an example, the authors compared and evaluated the results of two models
applied to geometric precision correction. For an area with elevation over 4 000 m, the precision of rational function is
2~3 times higher than that of polynomial model.
With Qinghai-Tibet Plateau as the study area, this zonal environmental and geological integrated appraisement
system based on RS data is mainly composed of three kinds of integrated appraisement models, i.e., Overlay Computing,
Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Fuzzy Gray Multi-method. There are three parts of components in this appraisement
system, which are modal running platform, modal spatial system and modal attribute system. With this appraisement system,
different models could be used to evaluate environmental and geological status of the same place, and the appraisement
results from different models could be analyzed separately and compared with each other. In addition, the system solves the
data conversion problem for different data types and the cartographic problem in the printing process of the appraisement
result. With this appraisement system, the researchers needn’t to open both GIS (Geographic Information System) and RS
(Remote Sensing) software at the same time to operate spatial data such as ArcGIS and ERDAS. With the adoption of Overlay
Computing Method and Fuzzy Gray Multi-method, the appraisement system selected five kinds of indexes, namely Disaster,
Hungriness, Marsh, Glacier and Fault, in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau to evaluate local environmental and geological status.
It is proved that the appraisement result is well consistent with the field survey data.
Based on a summary of ArcGIS Engine techniques, this paper has recounted the background of Remote Sensing
Monitoring Database System For Eco-geological Environment of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. After analyzing each kind of data in
the system, the authors describe the design thinking of the database in detail and analyze the implementation method of
system functions. Key techniques and important suggestions are also given in this paper.
Qinghai-Tibet Plateau is a region with the largest area of glaciers in China and is called the water tower of
Asia. The key characteristics of glaciers evolution in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau are their incessant area shrinkage, continuous
thinning of their thickness and ceaseless reduction of their ice reserves. According to the results of remote sensing
survey in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, this paper deals with the features of the continental glacial sheet in east Qinghai-Tibet
Plateau based on remote sensing images, such as its geological features, distribution areas, formation stages and formation
environments. The effects of the geological setting on the formation of the continental glacial sheet in east Qinghai-Tibet
Plateau are also tentatively discussed.
An investigation of existing glaciers in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau based on remote sensing technology has revealed
the areas of existing glaciers in different ridges. The decreased area of existing glaciers in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau from
the middle of the 1960’s nearly to the 2000’s was also found out. Different kinds of remote sensing data suitable for the
investigation were chosen according to the characteristics of glaciers distribution. Terrain correction of the remote
sensing data is necessary to reduce the influence of topography on the investigation precision. Much seasonal snow existent
on the high mountains must be eliminated. It is difficult to eliminate seasonal snow in most areas because it is so similar
to the existing glacier. Many ways are summarized to eliminate the seasonal snow. Till the year of 2000, the area of
existing glacier in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau was 46 887.23 km2, suggesting a shrinkage of nearly 3 941.68 km2. About 131.4 km2
of existing glaciers was reduced per year from the middle of 1960’s approximately to the 2000’s in Qinghai-Tibetan
Plateau.
Qinghai-Tibet Plateau is a region with the largest area of glaciers in China and is hence called the water tower
of Asia. The glaciers supply lots of water source for the rivers in China and Southeast Asia. The key characteristics of
glacier evolution in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau are their incessant area shrinkage, continuous thinning of their thickness and
ceaseless reduction of their ice reserves. The evolution of glaciers varies at different stages and in different places.
From the end of 1960’s to the end of 1980’s, the area of glaciers increased slightly due to the slight increase of
glaciers. Since the end of 1980’s, the area of glaciers has shrunk sharply, and their decreasing speed is faster than ever
before, especially in the districts around Tarim Basin and Himalaya Mountains. The area reduction of existing glaciers in
Pamirs Plateau is the largest in Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. The area reduction of existing glaciers in Himalaya and Qilian
Mountains are also rather considerable. The area reduction of existing glaciers in Qiangtang Plateau and Kunlun Mountains
are relatively small.
Based on the remote sensing investigation and monitoring results of existing glaciers and snowlines in Qinghai-
Tibet Plateau,this paper deals with the types of geological hazards and their distribution areas in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau
caused by the change of existing glaciers and snowlines in the past 30 years. In addition, the formation mechanism of
glacial geological hazards is explored preliminarily, and the development trends of geological hazards are predicted.
Based on the study and analysis of ETM images of glacier distribution in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, this paper puts
forward a new method for ascertaining the altitudes of existing snowlines. With this method, the altitudes of existing
snowlines in different ridges of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau as well as the variations of existing snowlines from the middle of
the 1960’s approximately to the 2000’s were detected. The investigation results show that the altitudes of existing
snowlines in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau range between 4 000 m and 6 000 m. The snowlines ascend gradually from the east to the
west of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. There are three ways of the variation of existing snowlines in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau:
rising, lowering and basic stableness, with the rising of the existing snowlines in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau being dominant.
The change of existing snowlines is closely related to the evolution of existing glaciers.
Making use of the remote sensing technique and field survey, the authors have studied the Quaternary geology of
the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau since 2003, and the results indicate that the watershed of China’s inflow rivers and outflow
rivers in the mid-southern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau was formed in early Holocene. The Nagqu Movement that occurred at the last
stage of late Pleistocene was an important crust movement forming the dividing range. The remote sensing survey also
discovered that the dividing range was situated in the Tangra Yumco area. The crust movement resulted in eastward migration
of the watershed for 500 km, and the early riverhead area of the Nujiang River consisting of the Siling Co and Namo Co
lakes became inland basins. Based on the results of the remote sensing survey of the Quaternary geology which mainly
include the fossil river courses, the angular unconformity between Pleistocene and Holocene and the Nagqu movement in the
mid-southern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, this paper deals systematically with these phenomena and regularities.
Based on field investigation of the Karakul Lake and interpretation of existing glacier and former glacier
vestiges according to remote sensing images,the author has put forward the overall and reasonable genesis of the Karakul
Lake. According to the evolutionary characteristics of the lake,this paper makes some suggestions concerning the protection
of the eco-environment of the lake, and offers the evidence for sustainable development of this famous lake in the Pamirs.
Based on the MSS(1975), ETM+(2000) and CBERS-02b(2007) images, the authors conducted monitoring of land
desertification in Sanjiangyuan region with the emphasis placed on the characteristics and driving force of land
desertification variation. Desertification land is mainly distributed in the flat plateau, close to the river and roads.
The area of desertification land increased obviously between 1975 and 2000, especially in the Yellow River headwaters area,
because of the warming and drying as well as the disturbance of human activities such as panning and overgrazing. In
addition to the increasing desertification area, the degrading level was aggravated and the changes in spatial distribution
were frequent. After 2000, the Sanjiangyuan Reserve Area was set up with the purpose of reducing the impact of human
activities as much as possible. On the other hand, the precipitation was increasing. Since then, land desertification in
Sanjiangyuan region has tended to be improved.
The assumption that the Qinghai Lake was once a drained lake and later became an interior lake due to the uplift
of the Riyue Mountain has been widely accepted in the past. In this paper, the ancient fluvial facies and lacustrine facies
were explored in its dimensional layout on the basis of some satellite data from ETM and ASTER. Statistical analysis of its
sedimentary characteristics and chronostratigraphic studies indicate that the main stream of the Yellow River was the Buha
River, which passed through the Qinghai Lake and connected the major stream course of the Yellow River in Guide Basin at
0.10 Ma. Along with the uplift of the Riyue Mountain, the Qinghai Lake became an interior lake and shrank rapidly; at the
same time, the Yellow River was forced to cut through Longyang Valley and continued its development in Gonghe Basin.
In recent decades, with the remediation of Yangtze River and the control of bank collapse, the situation of
rivers along the Yangtze River in Anhui Province has trended to be stable and the bank collapse has been checked to some
extent. However, the concomitant river siltation seems to expand. In order to find out the present situation of
sedimentation along the Yangtze River in Anhui Province, this paper made an interpretation and analysis of the Yangtze
River sandbank and lake reclamation using ETM satellite images from 1987 to the autumn of 2001 in combination with TM
satellite images and airborne data obtained in this area since 1980. The results provide the basic information for
harnessing the Yangtze River flood and solving environmental geological problems.
In this paper,the sedimentation in the Chaohu Lake and its impact on the environment were investigated and
analyzed by using the multi-temporal airborne remote sensing data acquired from 1955 to 1998 and satellite remote sensing
data(MSS,TM and ETM) acquired from 1973 to 2001. The present situation of the sedimentation in the Chaohu Lake,the
source of the sedimentation and the thickness partitioning of Chaohu sedimentation were analyzed by using the
interpretation results of remote sensing images acquired in different periods. On such a basis, the evolution trend of the
Chaohu Lake is analyzed,and some suggestions concerning the restoration and harnessing of the Chaohu Lake are put forward
on the basis of a comparison of remote sensing data acquired in different periods.
Based on the multi-temporal remote sensing data,particularly the images acquired after 2000,the authors
investigated the patterns of the riverbed evolution and the features of bank collapse along the Yangtze River in Anhui
Province,and specifically analyzed and studied 12 different kinds of river segments.
Using the Landsat ETM remote sensing images,the authors investigated the main geomorphic types of Yangtze River
basin,and systematically analyzed the geomorphic structures,distribution and genesis of the basin. The geomorphic
processes were analyzed and discussed in combination with the landform pattern in the remote sensing imagery in this paper.
In this paper,an overall investigation of land use situation in Anhui Province was made by using American
Landsat (TM/ETM) remote sensing images. As a result, the areas of various kinds of lands and their distribution features
are basically understood, and the corresponding evaluation of land resources is given. Some suggestions are put forward
concerning the land use in the future.
During the basic geological remote sensing survey and monitoring in Yangtze River Basin, the authors adopted
mainly the ETM images acquired in 2000 with the assistance of MSS images acquired in the 1970’s and CBERS images acquired
in 2007 to interpret the geomorphology, Quaternary geology and neo-tectonic fractures. The interpretation keys are summed
up on the basis of the remote sensing interpretation practice in Yangtze River Basin.
During the geological remote sensing investigation and monitoring of Yangtze River Valley, the authors carried
out the survey and research on geomorphology, Quaternary geology and neotectonic fracture at the 1∶250 000 scale by using
the Landsat ETM images acquired around 2000. Detailed remote sensing investigation at the 1∶50 000 scale was conducted in
an important area of Dongting Lake by using aerial photos, ALOS, SPOT and other high-resolution data. The investigation and
comprehensive analysis show that Jianghan-Dongting Basin is a rift basin formed in late Yanshanian-Cenozoic period. It was
on the whole in the subsidence state because of differential elevation causing the formation of the sub-Huarong uplift in
the interior of the basin, which extensively deposited river lacustrine facies, alluvial facies and foothill facies
Quaternary strata in mountain areas. Quaternary sedimentation within the basin is basically continuous deposition. The
upwelling areas around Jianghan-Dongting basin are characterized by intermittent uplift. Neotectonic movement mainly finds
expression in uplift, depression, tilting and fracturing. The structural subsidence and uplift of the surrounding mountains
are controlled by the fractures on the edge and in the interior of the basin.
The results of geological environment remote sensing investigation and monitoring in the 1970’s, 2000 and 2007
show that new-tectonic activities do exist in Dongting Lake area, the rift basin is still in the tectonic subsidence phase,
and the changes of the geological environment in Dongting Lake area before and after the storage of water in the Three
Gorges Reservoir are obvious. All this indicates the evolution regularity of erosion and deposition in the Dongting Lake,
that is, the East Dongting Lake will continue to become smaller, but the speed will slow down;the South Dongting Lake will
experience deepened scouring, but the area will not become smaller; and the Muping Lake will remain in the original scour
state and continue to suffer silting up, but the speed will slow down. The environmental problem in the Dongting Lake will
become the problem of lower water level and decreased ground water level in dry season instead of the floods and siltation.
Taking satellite remote sensing data obtained in three different periods, i.e., MSS(1975), TM(2000) and SPOT-5
(2007) , as the main data, and using the technology of remote sensing image processing and information extraction, the
authors extracted the soil erosion information of Zhangjiajie City in three different periods and analyzed characteristics
and regularity of the dynamic changes from 1975 to 2007. In addition, some suggestions concerning the measures for
harnessing soil erosion are put forward in this paper.
In this paper, the soil erosion conditions such as soil erosion type, area and intensity of the Yangtze River
basin were extracted from the TM/ETM images acquired in 2000 and other information,the distribution of the soil erosion in
the basin was summarized,the situation and the variation reason of the soil erosion were studied from the point of view of
the geological environment. In addition, some suggestions concerning the measures for harnessing soil erosion are put
forward on the basis of earth science.
In this study, part of the research results of the project “The Remote Sensing Investigation and Monitoring of
the Soil Erosion in Yangtze Valley” was employed as the basis, and the area of middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze
River was chosen as the study area in that this area is characterized by strong economic vitality and fast economical
development. The distribution characteristics of the soil erosion in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River were
analyzed, the unreasonable human activities inducing soil erosion were studied, the original relations between the
correlative geological factors and the soil erosion origin were investigated, and the predominant soil erosion types and
their change tendency were summarized. On such a basis, some reasonable suggestions concerning soil erosion prevention and
control are put forward.
Based on MSS, ETM+ and 2006 satellite CBERS-2 satellite images obtained in 1975, 2000 and 2006, the authors
studied the changes in wetland areas of the total basin during the 31 years of 1975~2006. The survey reveals that the
total area of the wetlands steadily decreased from 1975 to 2000, with the total reduced area being 1 388.50 km2. The
results also show that, from 2000 to 2006, the area of the wetlands increased from 80 762.13 km2 to 81 825.15 km2. The
shrinkage of Yellow River Basin wetlands year by year has led the authors to believe that the geological background and
climate factors of the working area determine the overall distribution and changes of the wetlands, and that human factors
also play an equally important role in the variation of the wetlands.
Based on the Landsat MSS,ETM and CBERS-2 images of Yellow River Basin acquired in 1975, 2000 and 2006
respectively,the authors extracted the built-up land sprawl information. Investigation shows that the built-up land sprawl
in Yellow River Basin has mainly occurred in the eastern part of China and the area of built-up land sprawl increased by 46
631.13 km2 from 1975 to 2006,i e.,about 2 254.621 km2 per year. It is the natural geography and human conditions that
have controlled the trend of built-up land sprawl in Yellow River Basin. In addition,the rapid economic development has
accelerated the built-up land sprawl.
On the basis of geological remote sensing survey and from the point of view of Quaternary geological evolution,
this paper deals systematically with the neotectonic fractures and the evolution of Quaternary geological history and
paleo-environment in Songliao Plain. Eight evolution stages of Quaternary geological history and their controlling action
on the eco-geological environment in Songliao Plain are proposed in this paper.
Taking Caofeidian area in Hebei Province as the study area and based on the remote sensing data of Landsat-5 TM
acquired in 1993 and ALOS acquired in 2007, the authors analyzed the temporal and spatial variations of surface geological
environmental elements. Some conclusions have been reached:(1) The areas of the delta wetland,agriculture land of non-
wetland and residential and industrial land were 32.3×104 hm2,20.6×104 hm2 and 4.21×104 hm2 in 1993, and 27.7×104 hm2
,21.8×104 hm2 and 6.8 ×104 hm2 in 2007, respectively. During the 14 years,the area of wetland decreased by 77.3%,while
the agriculture land of non-wetland and residential and industrial land increased by 5.6% and 61.6% respectively. (2) From
1993 to 2007, the coastline varied obviously. The eastern coastline invaded the mainland with the largest invasive
distance up to 500 m. On the contrary,the western coastline moved back to the sea with the largest retreated distance up
to 1 000 m.
Based on large quantities of remote sensing data as well as topographic and survey data, this paper studied the
evolution of the wetlands in eastern economic zones of China from 1975 to 2006. The results show that the wetlands are
distributed unequally. The area of the wetlands has been decreased since 1975. The muddy tidal bank, the mangrove tidal
bank and the swamp have been especially greatly decreased. The result of the analysis shows that the landscape
fragmentation is remarkable, with the human activities being the primary cause. The environment of the eastern economic
zones of China has been deteriorating since 1975.
Guangxi is one of the less developed areas in China. With increasing population and accelerating regional
exploitation, water erosion desertification has become increasingly serious. The peculiar lithology and structure of
Guangxi are likely to form specific physiognomy. This paper holds that there exists direct effect of physiognomy, lithology
and structure on water erosion desertification in Guangxi, with the physiognomy being the primary factor in this aspect.
Based on GIS analysis, the authors have found that the water erosion desertification is mostly distributed in such areas
as carbonate, granite, mudstone and gritstone. The area of carbonate is most serious in this aspect, possessing 46% of the
total desertification area. This paper has analyzed the lithology, structure, physiognomy of the desertification area. Some
logical control countermeasures are also put forward in this paper.
Based on large quantities of remote sensing data as well as topographic and tidal data, this paper studied the
evolution of the shoreline in China since 1975. The results show that the most typical coast is distributed in the three
economic zones. The mangrove coast is mostly distributed in the Zhujiang Delta Economic Zone, and the total length of the
coast had been shortening from 1975 to 2006. Different typical shorelines have different evolutionary characteristics. The
natural shoreline has been shortening in the past three decades, whereas the man-made shoreline has been extending since
1975.
Based on large quantities of remote sensing data and topographic data, this paper studied the evolution of the
shoreline in Zhujiang Bay since 1978. The results show that the evolution of the shoreline on the east bank and that on the
west bank had different characteristics from 1978 to 2003, and the shoreline has been mainly man-made since 1978. Zhujiang
Delta in South China has the largest area of mangrove wetlands in China. However, the mangrove wetlands largely disappeared
because of intensified human activities in the study area. from 1978 to 2006. The analysis clearly shows the fluctuations
of the areas of mangrove wetlands in the past three decades. Many natural mangrove forests have disappeared because of
reclamation projects. Only those in the reserve areas, such as mangrove forests in Qi’ao Island, Futian, and Maipo, have
been well protected under strict conservation policies.
Wetland has various ecosystems functions as well as economic and social values and hence is regarded as a mature
resource treasury and living environment for people’s existence and development. In recent years, due to economic
development and population growth, the human interference and destruction of the wetlands have become increasingly serious,
and the prevention of the degradation of wetlands has become a very important and urgent task. In this paper, the wetland
resource in Yancheng was extracted by using multi-source remote sensing data of CBERS, ETM, TM, MSS, in combination with
other non-remote sensing data, such as the terrain map. According to the information retrieval results, the authors
analyzed and forecast the change of wetland landscape by using the Markovian models, the Convertion Marix and the Dynamics
Rate. Based on data available, the authors hold that such changes in the landscape pattern is attributed to some natural
changes and human activities, such as geotectonic movement, climate, economic development and population growth, with the
human activities being the main factor responsible for landscape pattern variation.
Due to human activities and natural disturbance, the barren hills as a typical degradation ecosystem are
constantly increasing. On the basis of geological environment remote sensing survey in eastern China,the authors have
found that in the Yangtze River Delta Economic District there exist extensive barren hills with miscellaneous heaths and
bushes under no management, which are mainly distributed in most areas of Zhejiang and north and southwest parts of
Jiangsu Province. According to the statistical information of the landscape,there exist 43 800 km2 barren hills in
Zhejiang Province. Field investigation reveals that at least 1/3 of hilly vegetation,i.e., about 14 600 km2 (close to the
current area of Beijing) of such vegetation, has been severely damaged, unattended and in a state of natural recovery. If
the economic forest-building is carried out,the barren hills can be restored, and the tremendous economic value can be
achieved as well.
The Three-River area of southwest China is an area with the most developed active faults in China, and the remote
sensing technology has some advantages in the study of spreading, development and activity of fault structure. This paper
deals with the formation and development of active faults in the Three-River area of southwest China and studies features
of network faults and their effects on the stability of regional geological environment, with the purpose of promoting more
extensive and in-depth researches on the application of remote sensing technology to active faults.
Based on American Landsat-7 satellite ETM+ remote sensing data, this paper interpreted and analyzed the major
ecological environment essential factors of Lijiang basin such as river system, vegetation, landform and faulted structure
by using the method of “man-machine interactive” interpretation. On such a basis, some measures are purposed to improve
the ecological environment of Lijiang basin according to the actual situation.
This study was based on Quaternary geological remote sensing survey of the main stream basin (Yanyuan Basin) in
Sichuan. Through remote sensing investigation and analysis of resources and research on Quaternary residual and slope
sediments, the authors set up image features of remote sensing recognition of Quaternary residual and slope sediments and
got to know the distribution characteristics of Quaternary residual and slope sediments. According to soil structure, rock
property and geological background characteristics of Quaternary residual and slope sediments, the authors hold that, as
land has become increasingly less in China, the development of remote sensing investigation of Quaternary residual and
slope sediments has great significance in that its can find and explore new potential areas of land resources.
In this paper,the west mountain area of Qingchuan County,one of the most serious earthquake hazards areas in
Wenchuan County with representative significance,was chosen as the study area. The relations between the special
structural position and the secondary geological hazards were analyzed,the remote sensing interpretation keys to the
secondary geological hazards were established,the predominant types of the secondary geological hazards in this area were
summarized,and the hazards situation in this area were estimated. On such a basis, some reasonable suggestions concerning
the prevention and control of such hazards are put forward.
Based on remote sensing images of 1975(MSS), 2000(ETM) and 2007(CBERS-2), this paper interpreted lake wetland,
marsh wetland, river wetland and cultivated land of Bosten Lake at the scale of 1∶50000. Some conclusions have been
reached:The areas of lake wetland, marsh wetland and river wetland have decreased gradually, while cultivated land has
increased significantly in the past 32 years. During the period from 1975 to 2000, the areas of lake wetland and total
wetlands increased by a small margin, and cultivated land increased by 454.52 km2, but marsh wetland and river wetland
decreased by 23.71 km2 and 18.44 km2 respectively. The resources of wetlands were destroyed seriously from 2000 to 2007.
During these 7 years, lake wetland, river wetland, marsh wetland and total wetlands decreased considerably whereas
cultivated land increased by more than 526.55 km2. The deterioration velocities of marsh wetland and river wetland were
37.13 and 5.24 times higher than the velocities during 1975~2000. Natural factors and human activities were two important
factors responsible for the serious degradation of wetlands. Wetland-agriculture and wetland-desertification constituted
two processes of wetland degradation.
Using “3S” technology, the authors carried out research on the changes of the wetland landscape pattern of the
green corridor in the lower reaches of the Qarqan River based on the diversity index, dominance index, fragment index and
patch shaped index from 1975 to 2007. Some conclusions have been reached: the wetland area and patch amount increased a
little from 1975 to 2000 and decreased greatly from 2000 to 2007. In the past 32 years, the average area of the patch and
the patch density have been reduced continuously, and the patch shape turned to complex; the diversity of the landscape
pattern decreased, but the dominance and the fragmentation increased; in all the wetland types, the change range of the
river wetland area was small, the lake wetland area increased greatly, and the marsh wetland area decreased considerably.
The variation of the wetland landscape aggravated the sandy desertification and led to the reduction of biodiversity, but
it guaranteed agricultural water demands and ecological water demands, which would be favorable to the stability of the
Qarqan River green corridor ecosystem.