Successful Biological Methods for Combating Desertification at Degraded Areas of China - Combating Desertification in Asia, Africa and the Middle East - page 47

Chapter 3
Successful Biological Methods for Combating
Desertification at Degraded Areas of China

G. Ali Heshmati

Synopsis This chapter explores the use of biological (plant-based) techniques for
stabilizing and revegetating sandy lands. In some cases revegetation is only possible
after the moving sands are fixed (as explained in Chap. 2 ) in other cases revegetation
with sand-loving species can be successful using either vegetative materials or by
direct seeding. Different methods would be suitable for protecting various sites.
Some useful models, developed over years of trial and error, are introduced and
their features are explained.

Key points

• There are more than 750 counties in 13 provinces and autonomous regions

which are facing serious problems of desertification. These areas, that represent
approximately, 30 % of China's land area are mainly distributed in arid, semi-arid
and dry sub-humid areas in northern China, especially northwest China.

• Biological methods are the ultimate way to rehabilitate sandy land and a funda-

mental approach to the development and proper utilization of desert. There are
12 deserts in two physiographical situations (either hilly or low-land situations)
where some successful biological methods for combating desertification have
been documented. These methods were used on the basis of rational land use and
the best plant species which are suitable for these harsh conditions.

• The land use categories that are suffering most from desertification are:

agricultural areas, highways, railways, roads, cities, industrial sites and mining
areas. The important plant species were used for combating desertification are:
Hedysarum laeve, H. scoparium, Amorpha fruticosa, Lespedeza bicolor, Cara-
gana microphylla, C. korshinskii, Artemisia halodendron, A. phaerocephala,