Grassland degradation a factor behind sandstorm

Chart: Top 10 provinces and autonomous regions by grassland areas

Among the 297 Chinese cities at prefecture level and above, Naqu, Shigatse, Chamdo, Hulunbuir, Ordos, Chifeng, Shannan, Jiuquan, Nyingchi, and Ulanqad, which are the top 10 in the league table, account for a combined 31.3% of the country's total grassland area. However, their permanent resident population only makes up a combined 1.1% of the country's total, their GDP only 0.9%, and their GDP of the first industry only 1.7%. That means the top 10 cities have the most grassland resources, but occupy a small proportion of the country's total population, GDP and the first industry.