Remote sensing and GIS reveal the overall vegetation cover and interannual vegetation change in Liangcheng National Nature Reserve, Minqin, Gansu Province from 2002 to 2020. Overall, vegetation cover is very low although the area of extremely low coverage has decreased. Woodland and sandland account for more than 70% of its area; cultivated and built over land account for less than 1%. Afforestation and aerial seeding, undertaken in 2013, have significantly increased the vegetation cover.

This study aimed to explore the basic characteristics of soil and improve the natural environment in arid desert areas. The study was conducted in the Liangucheng National Reserve in Minqin, Gansu, and SPSS, EXCEL and GIS software was used to analyze and process data. The semivariogram model and Kriging interpolation method were used to analyze the basic characteristics, mutual relationships, and spatial distribution patterns of the primary physical and chemical properties of the soil in the reserve, including the soil moisture content, conductivity, pH, organic matter, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. The results show that the soil conditions in the reserve are poor, with low water content and nutrient content. The soil characteristics were correlated and were not substantially affected by soil pH and electrical conductivity. Additionally, the measured soil elements had a unique spatial distribution pattern and similarities in their spatial distribution patterns. The spatial correlation between total soil phosphorus and pH was strongest, and the northern part of the reserve, especially near Qingtu Lake, had the best soil conditions, and the central area had the worst soil conditions.