Analysis of Desertification Status and Driving Factors on the Frigid Southeastern QinghaiTibetan Plateau

Ecological environment is the foundation for the survival and development of human beings. Desertification in the frigid southeastern area of QinghaiTibetan Plateau had expanded dramatically in recent years, and it has become a major environmental issue which was concerned all over the world. Based on previous studies and monitoring data collected from local area, the desertification status and the development tendency were summarized, and the driving factors were analyzed. The conclusion was that the degradation of ecological environment and desertification in the frigid southeastern area of the QinghaiTibetan Plateau resulted both from human activities and natural factors. The global warming and other natural factors provided the desertification with fundamental elements, and the intense human activities in recent decades were the leading factors to induce the development of desertification.