Desertification and reclamation in North-Central China

• Published in: Ambio 1994-03, Vol.23 (2), p.131-135
• Main Authors: Michael A. Fullen, Mitchell, David J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Checkerboards; china; chine; Desert soils; desertificacion; Desertification; Deserts; Dunes; Earth sciences; Earth, ocean, space; Engineering and environment geology. Geothermics; Exact sciences and technology; gestion fonciere; Irrigation; land management; ordenacion de tierras; Pollution, environment geology; Rail lines; reclamation; recuperation des sols; rehabilitacion de tierras; Sand; Sand soils; Water reclamation
• ISSN: 0044-7447; 1654-7209

Desertification is a severe environmental problem in North- Central China. Deserts develop because of a complex interplay of environmental and land-management factors. Deserts are currently expanding at an estimated rate of 1560${\rm km}^{2}\ {\rm yr}^{-1}$, mainly due to human activities. Efforts are underway to combat desertification, coordinated by the Institute of Desert Research of Academia Sinica (IDRAS). Reclamation techniques aim at halting desert encroachment and reconverting desertified land to productive uses. Techniques include the use of windbreaks, irrigating with silt-laden river water, dune stabilization using straw checkerboards and planted xerophytes, land enclosure, redistribution of material from palaeosols and chemical treatment. Observations at the Shapotou and Yanchi field stations, in Ningxia Autonomous Region, suggest reclamation efforts need to be carefully and continuously maintained for over six years before significant improvements in reclaimed lands are evident. If efforts are continued, the physical, chemical and biological properties of soils improve relatively quickly. While technically feasible, reclamation does involve considerable expenditure in both time and resources. An integrated planned approach to desert reclamation seems to offer the best hope for North-Central China.