REMOTE SENSING MONITORING OF SAND MINING INDUCED LAKE SURFACE CHANGE AND ITS IMPACT ON LOW WATER LEVEL IN POYANG LAKE, CHINA

摘要

With dynamic monitoring of lake surface change by remote sensing, this study demonstrates the dramatic effects of extensive sand mining in Poyang Lake began in 2002 on lake declination that happened in 2000s. Dredging results in a wider and deeper outflow channel for Poyang Lake. The discharge ability into Yangtze River is enlarged rapidly in winter dry season, about 1.5 ~ 2 times higher than the values before the initiation of extensive sand mining. This implies that sand mining essentially declines Poyang Lake by changing its interaction with the Yangtze River. The prohibition of sand mining should be given a priority to restore the protected Poyang Lake wetland of international importance by natural dynamic.