Analysis of ecological effects of comprehensive treatment in the Tarim River Basin using remote sensing data

Based on multi-type, multi-temporal remote sensing data, we have monitored recent changes in cultivated land use and vegetation, in sandy areas and salinized desertification in the Green Corridor zone of the main channel of the Tarim River Basin. The results of our investigation show that the ecological environment in the Green Corridor of the main channel of the Tarim River Basin has conspicuously improved from 2002 to 2004. These improvements show up largely in such aspects as an increase in the rate of vegetation cover, a reduction in desertification land areas and a weakening in the intensity of sandy and the salinized land. On the other hand, the cultivated area in the Tarim River Basin significantly increased from 2002 to 2004. The rate of growth in cultivated areas during this period was significantly higher than that from 1999 to 2002. The increase in the use of irrigation resulting from the substantial increase in cultivated areas has a long-term potential restraining effect on the restoration of ecological functions of the Tarim River.