Key issues concerning ecological construction in the agro-pastoral ecotone on the Loess Plateau

Clarifying the essence of regional ecological and environmental problems is the key to scientifically promote ecological construction in the agro-pastoral ecotone on the Loess Plateau. We summarized the latest progress of relevant research, and combined over 30 years of observation and research at the Shaanxi Shenmu Erosion and Environment National Field Scientific Observation and Research Station, proposed that water scarcity and unreasonable vegetation restoration were the main problems facing ecological construction in the agro-pastoral ecotone of the Loess Plateau. There are two forms of soil erosion in this area, water erosion and wind erosion. In terms of water erosion, we should restore grassland according to the vegetation zone and engineering measures should be transferred slopes to terraced fields to achieve soil and water conservation and water source conservation functions. In terms of wind erosion, vegetation restoration should focus on shrubs and grasses with low water consumption. Coarse soil remediation should be used in the engineering measures to control desertification, and the sandy land could be completely changed through combining the construction of new energy bases and modern agriculture. The agro-pastoral ecotone of the Loess Plateau should be classified and managed according to the geomorphology and water-soil resource characteristics of the loess and aeolian sand areas, with the focus of management directed at addressing the root causes, to achieve high-quality development of the regional ecological environment.