Causes of more frequent sandstorms in northeast China

By the definition of Oxford Advanced Learner's English-Chinese Dictionary, sandstorm is a storm in which sand is blown into the air by strong winds. 10 years ago it is considered very rare to see sandstorms in northeast China. However, in recent years, sandstorm has become common spring weather in northeast part of China. Overgrazing, overharvest of ground floras and nonstandard mines in northwest China are three main causes of more frequent sandstorms in China.
Researches indicate that the number of livestock in northeast China has exceeded the capability of the grassland. The growth of grass cannot catch up with the rate of abatement, which results in the imbalance of nature. As a consequence, the soil is exposed to the air immediately. Moreover, some of the ground flora in northwest China is good herb, for example, liquorices. For economic benefit, people dig out liquorices unlimitedly, which affects the growth of other ground flora as well. Without the ground flora keeping nutrition and water in the soil, the soil degenerates into sand. Furthermore, a splendid amount of minerals distribute over some parts of northwest China. Many nonstandard mines are set up illegally on the area that was forest or grassland before. The constructions of these mines are usually improperly arranged, which leads to large pieces of exposed ground. The waste is disposed without decontamination, resulting in the degradation of soil.
In conclusion, overgrazing, overharvest of ground flora and nonstandard mines damage the plants and degrade soil into sand. Every spring, wind blows sand up and travels to east without the block of trees. Consequently, sandstorms become more frequent in northeast China.

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