Desert Development: How Does It Relate to Anti Desertification Measures? - Combating Desertification in Asia, Africa and the Middle East - page 422

Fig. 20.9 Farming on the desert fringe in western Gansu Province, China

Fig. 20.10 Saline and sodic soils need especially adapted plants

same time irrigation gives rise to soil degradation. As a result large regions can
acquire new characteristics. Agricultural development can stimulate movement of
animals and plants and also the regrouping of species in communities, both as
temporary and permanent phenomena. The region can be completely transformed
both ecologically and economically (Squires 1989 )(Fig. 20.9 ).
The same plant associations can be found in introduced cultures almost anywhere
in the world. Irrigation can also lead to important spatial regroupings of animals,
both through making the irrigated area wetter and making the donor area dryer.
Certain rules can be considered as a basis for eco-geographical forecasting of change
in ecosystems as a result of widespread development of arid territories (Fig. 20.10 ).