Abstract:

In this study, 347 wetland areas in Xinjiang, investigated in two earlier studies, were examined in detail. Using 3S technology, CBERS-CCD, SPOT5, and LandsatTM remote sensing data, which were verified in the field, were used to compare the spatio-temporal variation of the wetland resources in Xinjiang in 2000 and in 2011. The reasons behind the changes were then analyzed. The results showed that the total wetland area in Xinjiang declined during the period. River wetland and marsh wetland areas increased to 29162 and 17130 hm², respectively, while lake wetland and artificial wetland areas reduced to 126618 and 19391 hm², respectively. In the different wetland types, the areas of permanent rivers, marshes, forests-swamps, and seasonal brackish marshes increased, while the areas of flood plains, inland salt marshes, permanent freshwater lakes, seasonal freshwater lakes, seasonal saltwater lakes, and reservoirs decreased. The total change rate of wetlands in Xinjiang was -7%. Among the 4 principal types of wetland, the change rate of lake wetland was the largest (-18%) and the change rate of marsh wetland was the smallest (5%). The main reasons for the changes in wetland areas were climate change and human activities.

Key words: wetland area, temporal and spatial variation, change rate, climate change