Figure 2

(a) Thematic map of the Mu Us Sandy Land in 1995 compiled based on Landsat 5 Thematic Mapper images. Grey circle Check points: based on 2017 desertified land field verification points. Red star Type points: inset photos show typical examples of (b) non-desertification, (c) mild desertification, (d) moderate desertification, (e) severe desertification, (f) extreme desertification, (g) water, (h) different desertification type percentage in the study area. The boundary of each flag county in Mu Us Sandy Land is derived from the administrative boundary data of county level in China (http://www.resdc.cn/data.aspx?DATAID=202).