Grassland desertification and its impacts on carbon cycle in the source region of the Yellow River, northeastern Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau by remote sensing

This study deals with desertification and its impacts on environment in the source region of the Yellow River. Our objectives were to reveal and quantify desertification changes from 1990-2000 by remote sensing and GIS, and discuss its impacts on carbon cycle. The results indicate that the study area is one of the most desertified regions in northeast Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. The study area is now a carbon source. The desertification would have contributed to CO₂ emission from grasslands of Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. Otherwise, there are great potential to resequestration carbon through controlling grazing, restoring ecosystem, and reducing desertification.