Spatiotemporal variation of temperature, precipitation and wind trends in a desertification prone region of China from 1960 to 2013

Spatial and temporal distributions of temperature, precipitation and wind speed from 1960 to 2013 at 179 meteorological stations situated in the desertification prone region ( DPR ) of China are analysed using the Mann–Kendall test and the Theil–Sen's slope estimator on monthly, seasonal and annual timescales. The results indicate that annual mean temperature has increased at a rate of 0.33 °C (10 year) −1 over the DPR . T min generally increased at a higher rate than T max in the majority of the months and seasons over the past 54 years; this has resulted in a decrease in the diurnal temperature range. Precipitation increased for the majority of the meteorological stations in the western area of the DPR , and decreased in the eastern area, but few of these trends are statistically significant on all timescales. The majority of meteorological stations recorded a significant decrease in wind speed at the majority of timescales. Results from this investigation show that the climate is becoming warmer and wetter in the western area of the DPR , and warmer and drier in eastern area of the DPR . A greater understanding of how the historical climate has been changing enables scientific support for the adaption of mitigation policies for land desertification/degradation, water resources, ecological projects and agricultural production. These policies will aid in combating the desertification processes, maintaining ecological security and promoting sustainable development in the DPR .