Study on Surface and Internal Humidity of Dunes in the Southwestern Margin of the Taklimakan Desert

Greening on the edge of desert is an effective way to prevent and control desertification. This paper studies the humidity characteristics of sand samples collected from the surface and interior of dunes in the southwestern edge of the Taklimakan Desert, whose geographic coordinates are 39°43’37” – 39°43’41” N, 78°43’02” – 78°43’09” E. The humidity of sand samples at vertical depths under five different surface positions of windward slope bottom, windward slope middle, windward slope top, leeward slope middle and leeward slope bottom was studied. On the surface of the sand at different locations and at the same depth under the surface, the sand humidity is greater closer to the bottom of the slope, for both windward slope and leeward slope. The humidity gradient values on the surface and at different depths on different positions of the dunes are obtained. Finally, recommendations are provided for effective ways to prevent desertification in the desert edge of Kashgar.