Analysis of land usage variations and driving forces in the area around Xanadu Relics

Combined the land usage status data by remote sensing images from 1990 to 2010 and field investigation, the land usage dynamic changes were analysis and the driving forces were revealed using the single land use dynamic degree, the comprehensive land use dynamic degree, land use degree comprehensive index, land use degree change model in the area around Xanadu relics. The results showed that grassland and cultivated land were key components of land use types, however, sandy land and other types scatter distributed in the area during 1990-2010. Grassland decreased by 6.28% whereas cultivated land and sandy land increased by 1.92% and 3.33%. Land use change very fast with significant volatility. The comprehensive dynamic degree of land use were 0.92% and 0.42% in 1990-2000 and in 2000-2010, respectively. Sandy land change was most significant with 3.23% dynamic degree. Land use degree also increased which transformed from agriculture and husbandry to nonagriculture and nonhusbandry. All the factors including warming and drying climate, sandy land expended to the north, conversion of cropland to forest and grassland, urbanization construction, agriculture, husbandry, industry and tourism development, indiscriminated cutting, overgrazing drove the change of land use. Coordination between land resources and social and economic development were essential for ecological protection and construction which was necessary to protect Xanadu relics, and the basic requirements of grassland cultural heritage.