形体巨大的高大沙山的形成、演化过程极为复杂，其形态特征（高大沙山迎风坡、背风坡坡度与次生沙丘类型、沙脊线形状及走向、长度等）不仅是复杂风况长期作用的结果，而且与诸多其它要素密切相关。已有的研究认为风况、气候变化、下伏地形及地下水可能是造成高大沙山形成的主要原因，而有关其形态特征的形成机制及演变规律等仍不清楚。本项目拟以巴丹吉林沙漠高大沙山形态特征为研究对象，以数值模拟为主要研究手段，结合气象资料、遥感数据、野外地形测量和沙样的沉积学分析，深入研究高大沙山形态特征在复杂风况和下伏地形双重因素共同影响下的形成、演变规律，反演巴丹吉林沙漠高大沙山地区的古风况变化及下伏地形特征。该项目的实施，将对高大沙山形态特征形成、演变提出新的观点和认识，为认识阿拉善地区第四纪气候变化历史和古地貌环境提供重要佐证。

The processes of formation and development of the giant dunes (megadunes) are quite complex. The morphological features (angles and secondary dunes of stoss and lee sides; length, shape and strike of the dune crests, etc.) of mega-dunes are not only the result of the long-term effects of complex wind regimes, but also strongly impacted by various other parameters. Earlier studies suggested that mega-dunes was potentially formed by wind regimes, climate changes, underlying reliefs and/or availability of groundwater. However, an unambiguous interpretation of the formation and development of the mega-dunes' morphological features is still not available. The research target of this project will be the morphological natures of the magadunes in the Badain Jaran Desert, western Inner Mongolia. Numerical simulation will be applied as the main research method, supported by the analysis of meteorological data, remote sensing data, topographic surveying in the field and sedimentological analysis of sand samples. We plan to focus on the formation processes and development of the mega-dunes' morphological features under the impact of the complex wind regimes and underlying reliefs. This research outcome will be further applied to interpret Quaternary changes of wind regimes and earlier impacts of underlying landforms on the dune stratigraphy. The implementation of the project will not only lead to new understanding and knowledge about the formation and development of the mega-dunes' morphological features, but also provide important evidence for understanding the Quaternary climate changes and paleogeomorphological environment in the Alashan Plateau.