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Oasification is an important geography process in arid areas, although little research attention has been paid to the process compared to desertification. In fact, studying oasification not only directly reveals its effects on the environment, but can also uncover causes of desertification through examination of oasification causes and processes. In this study, oases located on the south rim of Tarim Basin in Xinjiang, China, were selected as a regional study area. For assessing changes in oases area over the past 30 years, four images taken in September in 1977, 1992, 2000 and 2010 were used. To further investigate the effects of oasification on the environment, the Cele Oasis was specifically selected as a representative study area, and soil particle-size distributions (PSD) were analyzed. The results indicated that the oasification process was unmistakable and should receive more attention in the southern marginal zone of the Tarim Basin. In addition, the results also revealed that oasification can have positive effects on the soil environment. In terms of management implications, it is essential that farmland remain in continuous use after reclamation; otherwise, reclamation will weaken oasification and intensify desertification. (C) 2010 Published by Elsevier Ltd. Selection and/or peer-review under responsibility of Spatial Statistics 2011