Journal of Geographical Sciences ›› 2013, Vol. 23 ›› Issue (2): 344-358.doi: 10.1007/s11442-013-1014-x

• Research Articles • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Nebkha(coppice dune)formation and significance to environmental change reconstructions in arid and semiarid areas

LANG Lili1, WANG Xunming1, HASI Eerdun2, HUA Ting1   

  1. 1. Key Laboratory of Desert and Desertification,Cold and Arid Regions Environmental and Engineering Research Institute,CAS,Lanzhou 730000,China;
    2. College of Resources Science and Technology,Beijing Normal University,Beijing 100875,China
  • Received:2012-09-12 Revised:2012-09-29 Online:2013-02-20 Published:2013-02-20

Abstract:

Environments in arid and semiarid regions are extremely sensitive to climate changes.High wind activity in these regions has resulted in an extensively developed arid geomorphology,but past environmental changes are poorly understood because of the absence of relatively high-resolution proxies.The accumulation characteristics of nebkhas, which have developed extensively in these regions,can be used as a method of reconstructing environmental changes.Here we summarized recent advances in research on the formation,development,and sediment characteristics of nebkhas and their significance to environmental changes in arid and semiarid regions.Based on the studies of our colleagues, we suggested that research on nebkha formation can provide distinct clues about environmental changes in arid and semiarid regions;however,continued studies are needed.

Key words: nebkha(coppice dune), morphology, formation, environmental change, arid area