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Comparative studies on climate changes and influencing factors in central Mongolian Plateau Region

2008; Wiley; Volume: 27; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Inglês

10.11821/yj2008010019

1745-5871

Liu Xue-lin,

Geophysics and Gravity Measurements

Mongolian Plateau Region is facing many problems in environment and sustainable development including land degradation,soil erosion,water pollution,solid and hazardous waste disposal,land use conflicts and desertification,which have led to social consequences such as urban unemployment and poverty.Those issues are very serious in central part of the region where population density is relatively high and intensive economic activities have caused several problems such as climate change.The central Mongolian Plateau Region covers seven provinces(municipalities) of Mongolia including Selenge,Darhan-Uul,Ulaanbaatar,Govisumber,Tov,Dundgovi and Dornogovi and four sub-provinces of Inner Mongolian Autonomous Region of China like Huhhot,Baotou,XilinGol,and Ulan Qab.The study aims at comparative analysis of climate changes,impacts on major economic activities and affecting factors in Mongolia and Inner Mongolia using temperature and precipitation data extending from 1940 to 2004 from six stations of Mongolia and 1951~2004 from six stations of Inner Mongolia of China.The results show that in comparison with temperature data in the 1960s,the average temperature has risen by 1.35℃ in the 1990s in Inner Mongolia of China,while it is 1.13℃ in Mongolia.In the period of 2000-2004,the average temperature increase was 1.89℃ in Inner Mongolia and 1.37℃ in Mongolia in comparison with the 1960s,showing a faster temperature increase in Inner Mongolia than that in Mongolia.Mutation test of the changing trend of temperature indicates that temperature mutation usually occurs in the areas with high latitude followed by those of low latitude,and big cities followed by small and medium-sized towns.However,significant change of precipitation was not observed,but periodic changes instead.For instance,duration of precipitation in Inner Mongolia is 2.8 years,while it is 4 and 8 years in Mongolia,and those results reach 95% level of correction test.The climate change has brought about significant impacts on agricultural production,livestock raising and environment,which have been considered as important components of sustainable development of the region in a long run. The results are significant for understanding interaction between climate change,impacts and driving factors,and identifying most important areas for policy intervention,and finally for sustainable use and management of fragile natural resources.