Abstract: Located in the southeastern part of Qingha-i Xizang plateau, Qinghai Province has an average elevation of about 4, 000 m a. s. l. Under the effect of different neotectonics, a geomorphological pattern of a basin in its central part and two high mountains in its south and north forms. West wind and northwest wind prevail over the province, and the days of sand-starting wind stronger than 5 m/s are over 150.Under the arid and sem-i arid climatic conditions, Quatenary deposit is distributed extensively, dry denudation and wind erosion are violent, desert and sandy land develop extensively, and Qinghai is one of the provinces with more sandy land. In this paper, the databases, including TM image database, graphical database and attributing database of sandy land in Qinghai Province in mid 1990 s, are developed by using digited methods of remote sensing and geographical information system. The results show that the sandy land area in Qinghai Province was 4431749 hm² in mid 1990 s, which occupies 6.184% of the total area. Sandy land exists in 19 regional units among the 45 units in county level, and it is distributed in a large area in the source areas of the rivers. It is suggested to strengthen the monitoring and research of the developing tendency of desertification in these regions so as to provide the scientific basis for watershed reliagnment and water and soil conservation.

Key words: sandy land, water and soil conservation, Qinghai Province