special guest editor: prof. dr. wenjiao xiao

a     ; xinjiang branch of the chinese academy of sciences; xinjiang institute of ecology and geography, chinese academy of sciences

特邀编委：肖文交

中国科学院院士；中国科学院新疆分院院长；中国科学院新疆生态与地理研究所研究员 

context

intense and frequent plate tectonic activities that developed across the central asia are the foundation of the geography and geology, therefore the natural resources of the region. many mountain chains formed, separated by valleys and basins in central asia. this region is enormously diverse with regard to its physical features – from the high mountains of the pamirs, tianshan and altai, to the arid lowlands of the aral sea basin. central asia is enriched with various natural resources including ores, oil and gas, which significantly highlight its geopolitical importance as the eurasian heartland. this area, with its huge capacity of mineral resource supply and instrumental function of resource channels, constitutes an essential part of the resource security system. due to its great complexity and unique set of features, central asia has been one of the most focused study areas by researchers across the globe. over more than 100 years, researches in this region have constantly improved our understanding at various aspects. today, scientists from different countries are continuing to work together in the face of new challenges, making more contributions to the regional research of central asia.

about the journal of arid land

the journal of arid land is an international peer-reviewed journal co-sponsored by xinjiang institute of ecology and geography, chinese academy of sciences, science press and china society of natural resources.

  the journal covers such topics as the dynamics of natural resources (including water, soil and land, organism and climate), the security and sustainable development of natural resources, and the environment and ecology in arid and semi-arid lands, especially in central asia. the coverage extends from interactions among the atmosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere and lithosphere, to relationships between these natural processes and human activities. the journal also discusses the patterns of geography with ecology and environment, ecological improvement and environmental protection, and regional responses and feedback mechanisms.

topics of the special issue

the purpose of this special issue is to promote the most advanced knowledge, to introduce the latest technologies, and to present comprehensive methods and solutions for key scientific problems in the sustainable development of central asia.

the topics of articles include but are not limited to the following:

1. remote sensing geochemistry and sedimentary environments

2. paleogeography and mineral resources

3. spatial and temporal coupling of soil and water elements in mountainous areas

4. earth surface processes

5. geographic and geological big data

regional scope of the special issue

this special issue defines central asia mainly in accordance with the unesco definition as the five central asian countries including kazakhstan, kyrgyzstan, uzbekistan, tajikistan, turkmenistan, as well as parts of afghanistan, china, india, iran, mongolia, pakistan and russia.

submission of full paper

1. please carefully read and follow the instructions for authors which you may find online at

2. before submitting your paper, you will need to create a user account and then submit all relevant files online at

3. manuscripts can be submitted during the following time frame:

   opening: 01 may 2020

   deadline: 31 october 2020