The study looked at how land use changes in Horqin Sandy Land from 1985 to 2000 affected desertification. Cultivated land and pasture were the main types, with unused land being common. Over 15 years, cultivated land and woodland increased while pasture decreased. Pasture turned into cultivated land and woodland. Desertification in Horqin is mainly moderate, with the area expanding but the severity decreasing. Intensive land use led to degradation of pasture and cultivated land, turning them into light and moderate desertification areas. Changes in land use patterns can speed up desertification.