Author:

Yan Mancun

Title:

Late Tertiary aeolian sand accumulation and its environment in the Southeastern Marginal Tengger Desert

Publisher:

Journal of Desert Research. 12(3):10-15

Date:

1992

Language:

Chinese

Classification:

2Cc, 3C, 4Aa

Region:

Tengger Desert

Summary:

Analytical results of stratigraphy, sedimentary structure, grain size, quartz grain micro-texture, fauna and pollen spore analysis reveal that an aeolian sand land formation process existed in the Neogene period in southeastern Tengger Desert, which is similar to today's sand transport and accumulation processes. A large number of calcareous crusts and nodules in sand dune fields showed that the climate in the area at that time was dry and hot. From this perspective it ranged from sub-tropic spare wood steppe to desert steppe. According to geomorphic characteristics it can be divided into paleo-eolian sand of a sand dune phase and paleo-eolian sand of a piedmont phase. Apart from the orange red or brown red colour, both paleo-eolian sands have similar deposition characteristics to recent sandy desert.

Author:

Yang Dongzhen (Chinese Academy of Meterological Sciences, Beijing 100081)

Title:

An analysis of two sandstorms in Spring, 1990

Publisher:

Quarterly Journal of Applied Meteorology. 61:1 8-26

Date:

1995

Language:

Chinese

Classification:

2Ea, 4Ab

Region:

North China

Summary:

This article analyses the characteristics and causes of two sandstorms which occurred in April 1990. Samples collected in Yulin, Yan'an, Taiyuan, Hohhot and Beijing were used to calculate sandstorm trajectories and chemical and physical features to determine the source areas. In periods of sandstorm activity total suspended particle (TSP) concentrations are higher than normal by several times. The aerosols of sandstorms consist of mainly natural lithosphere elements from the earth's crust, which are distributed in large particles (d£3/42.1 | Ìm). Polluted elements from human activity appear as small particles (d£1/42.1 | Ìm); their enrichment factors are sharply reduced during the sandstorm.

Authors:

Yang Henggui and Zhang Zhiguang

Title:

Comprehensive control techniques for sand damage in Jartal Salt Lake region

Publisher:

Journal of Desert Research. 14(2):64-68

Date:

1994

Language:

Chinese

Classification:

3Ab, 6Cd

Region:

Ulan Buh, Inner Mongolia

Summary:

Situated at southwestern margin of Ulan Buh Desert in Inner Mongolia, the Jartal Salt Lake is plagued with shifting sand encroachment. Since 1983 the Jartal Salt Lake area has adopted various measures to control sand damages to the salt lake. Main measures include protecting sandyland from animal disturbance for grass growth and establishing sand break forests. To establish vegetation successfully, some drought-resistant plant species were selected and sprinkling irrigation installed. Clay barriers are used in sand stabilization; their optimal sizes are 1 x 1 m and 1 x 2 m. After using these methods wind velocity near the ground surface was reduced by 13.3-13.7 percent. Prior to adopting control measures sand volume transported into the lake was 1.275 million m³ per year; it has now been reduced to 367 000 m³ per year.

Author:

Yang Liting

Title:

Research on energy conversion and material cycles of agroecosystems in semi-arid sandy areas of northwestern Hebei province

Publisher:

Agricultural Research in the Arid Areas. 11(2):80-88

Date:

1993

Language:

Chinese

Classification:

2Ed, 3Ab, 6Da

Region:

Hebei, China

Summary:

An agroecosystem is an energy conversion and material cycling system operating under distinct agricultural production, soil and climatic conditions. Agroecosystems can be optimized by readjustment measures to improve selected functions. Research on energy conversion and material cycles was conducted at the Zhangbei Agricultural Experiment Station between 1986 and 1988. Main readjustment measures included: land use ratios for agriculture, forestry and animal husbandry; new crop varieties, crop rotation, water conservancy projects, increased land inputs, such as fertilizers and farmland shelterbelts. Average grain yield per ha increased by 2 017 kg on semi-arid blowing sand land.

Author:

Yang Taiyun

Title:

Discussion of problems concerning decertified land rehabilitation

Publisher:

Journal of Desert Research. 13(3):32-38

Date:

1993

Language:

Chinese

Classification:

1, 6Aa, 6Cd

Region:

North China

Summary:

According to ten-year monitoring data, land desertification in northern China is expanding at an annual rate of 2 103.2 km², especially in the agropastoral regions. In the past ten years 24 000 km² of fertile land have been lost to desertification, corresponding to 6.6 km² per day. In the "three-north" region the ratio between greening velocity and desertification velocity is one to eight, indicating that rehabilitation of decertified land in China is relatively slow. The rehabilitation of decertified land requires complex, systematic engineering solutions; zone differences must be considered. Relationships between land development and protection, decertified land rehabilitation and production, ecological and economic benefits, land enclosure and fuel supply must be handled correctly. In order to speed up rehabilitation of decertified land, biological measures should be developed in conjunction with water conservancy projects.

Authors:

Yang Taiyun and Li Qiseng

Title:

Transformation and development of desertificated land in interlaced farming and grazing areas

Publisher:

Journal of Arid Land Resources and Environment. 8(2):77-86

Date:

1994

Language:

Chinese

Classification:

6Ee

Region:

North China

Summary:

China faces a serious desertification problem, especially in the interlaced farming-grazing areas; 6.67 million ha of farmland and grassland are threatened with desertification. During the past ten years, an additional 24 800 km² of productive land have been reduced to desertificated land. This means that desertification in China is expanding at a rate of 2 103.2 km² per year. Present measures to halt the development of desertification include: regenerating natural vegetation on sandyland, establishing artificial vegetation and fixing drift sand. Ten-year monitoring data showed that 45 300 km² of desertificated land in northern China have been brought under control, which occupies 13 percent of China's total decertified land area. In addition, about desertification processes on 10 000 km² land have reversed which accounts for six percent of China's total desertificated land area.

Author:

Yang Wenbin (Academy of Forestry Sciences of Inner Mongolia)

Title:

Assessment of the ecological and economic effects of tree-shrub mixed sandholding forest in northern Linze oasis

Publisher:

Journal of Ecology. 8(6):27-30

Date:

1989

Classification:

6B, 6Cb

Region:

Gansu China

Language:

Chinese

Summary:

According to investigation of tree and shrub mixed sand-holding forests in northern Linze oasis, wind reduction and micro-climatic improvements increase with prolonged afforestation. After eight years of afforestation, sand dunes have been stabilized, wind speed reduced by above 50 percent, air relative humidity increased by six to eight percent and evaporation potentiality reduced by 43 to 60 percent. After 12 years, each ha of the forest can provide 262.8 m³ of timber, 39 t of firewood charcoal and 51 t of litter-fall (dry weight) which contains 1873.5 kg of (NH₄)₂SO₄, 96 kg of Ca₃(PO₄)2 and 2872.5 kg of Cl. The net output is 53 479.2 yuan/ha. Mixed sand holding forests offer both ecological and economic benefits and should be popularized in arid areas.

Authors:

Yang Zhiming, Zhao Tianxi and Chen Zhangshui (The Research Institute of Forestry, CAF)

Title:

Studies on the density and economic benefit of a Populus Zhaolin 6' plantation in the semi-arid area of west Liaoning province

Publisher:

Scientia Silvae Sinicae. 28(3):271-275

Date:

1992

Language

Chinese

Classification:

3Aa, 6Cc, 6Cd

Region:

Liaoning, China

Summary:

A density trial of Populus Zhaolin 6' in an intensive culture plantation was conducted from 1984 to 1989 in a semi-arid area of Jianping county, Liaoning province. The results showed the following. (1) There were great differences in forest tree growth, stand structure and economic benefit among the three planting densities treated in this trial. (2) The number of forest trees showed a normal distribution by allocation of diameter classes. (3) The shape of tree stems and their amplitude were also affected by density. (4) Diameter class and yield of forest trees were affected by density, which greatly influence potential economic benefit from the plantation. The average annual production value of 6-year-old stands with densities of 4 m x 4 m, 4 m x 6 m and 5 m x 6 m was 3300.27 yuan(RMB)/ha, 3361.00 yuan/ha and 3009.50 yuan/ha respectively. Under local conditions plantations of 4 m x 4 m and 4 m x 6 m were suitable for developing middle-diameter timber, cutting ten to 12-year-old stands. Plantations of 5 m x 6 m were suitable for developing large-diameter timber, cutting 12-15-year-old stands, from which a satisfactory timber yield and great economic benefit could be achieved

Author:

Zhang Bai (Changchun Institute of geography, Cas)

Title:

Structure and dynamics of the land resources system in the shelter forest region of the Dongbei Plain

Publisher:

Acta Geographical Sinica. 47(4):

Date:

1993

Language:

Chinese

Classification:

2Cd, 3Ac, 6Ee

Region:

Northeastern China

Summary:

The structure and dynamics of the land resources system in the shelter forest region of the Dongbei Plain was analysed using remote sensing and statistical information from typical profiles and spots. In terms of agricultural utilization, the land resources system is made up of five components, i.e. man, land resources, water resources, climate resources and barren land. The local economy is heavily dependent on the land resources, especially farmland. After 50-60 years (from 1930s to 1980s) of exploitation, the land has already changed from a reclaiming period into a declining period. There is no waste land to be reclaimed. In light of increased population, demands on land and decreased farmland fertility, proper management of land resources is indispensable if the local economy and living standards are to be maintained. This will not be possible without artificial regeneration (the highest input) and a healthy ecosystem. Relying on natural regeneration only will result in further degradation.

Authors:

Zhang Fingchun and Xu Xinying

Title:

A preliminary study on the utilization of enclosure in desert areas

Publisher:

Journal of Desert Research. 12(2):21-26

Date:

1992

Language:

Chinese

Classification:

2Ec, 6Cd

Region:

Xinjiang, China

Summary:

By 1987, 67 000 ha of enclosed areas that were fenced to exclude grazing animals had been established in oases and desert fringe areas in Xinjiang and Gansu provinces. After two to three years of fencing the vegetation cover and grass yield in the closed pasture fields increased by 15-17 percent and 20-100 percent, respectively. Increasing the enclosed area worsens the problem of overgrazing in the open rangeland. Thus far overgrazing has resulted in 61 000 km² of decertified land in northern China. Experiments show that rational utilization of enclosed pasture can contribute to maintaining the ecological balance in desert regions and facilitate animal husbandry development in northern China

Authors:

Zhang Haorui and Dong Fengmin (Keshan County Water Conservancy Bureau of Heilongjiang Province)

Title:

Comprehensive soil loss control on cultivated slopping land with remarkable ecological benefits, using small watersheds in Xinan county, Heilongjiang province

Publisher:

Bulletin of Soil and Water Conservation. 11(6):40-44

Date:

1991

Language:

Chinese

Classification:

6B, 6Ce

Region:

Heilongjiang, China

Summary:

Based on field observation and laboratory analysis, this paper studies the biological benefits of cultivated slopping farmlands for comprehensive control of water and soil loss. These include: (1) remarkable reduction of water and sediment losses; (2) an increase in vegetation cover so as to improve the micro-climate in the fields; (3) obvious enhancement in the soil's ability to store and conserve moisture; (4) improvements in the overall farmland ecosystem; and (5) a reduction in natural disasters and greater ability to resist disasters in agriculture.

Author:

Zhang Huasong (Hebei Department of Forestry)

Title:

Recovery processes for vegetation and the effect on water and soil conservation

Publisher:

Scientia Silvae Sinicae. 1989, 25(1)

Date:

1989

Language:

Chinese

Classification:

3Ab, 6Cd, 6Ee

Region:

North China

Summary:

The relationship between vegetation and water and soil conservation were studied in North China. The results showed that annual recovery increments of vegetation in mountainous areas is 9.2 percent on the northern slope and 9.05 percent on the southern slope. In hill areas annual recovery increments are 8.3 percent on the northern slope and 7.6 percent on the southern slope. After vegetation recovery, the runoff process is shortened, peak flow is lowered, permeability of the soil increased and the amount of runoff lessened. When vegetation increased one percent, the coefficient of runoff decreased 1.04- 1.2 percent accordingly. If vegetation cover reached 90 percent, runoff would be fundamentally controlled. Soil surface erosion is therefore in inverse proportion to vegetation cover. When vegetation cover is less than 60 percent, the curve of soil surface erosion is elevated to a 45° angle.

Author:

Zhang Jixiang

Title:

Ecoenvironmental changes in the process of establishing protective systems in Shapotou area

Publisher:

Journal of Arid Land Resources and Environment. 8(3):68-79

Date:

1994

Language:

Chinese

Classification:

6Cb, 6Cd

Region:

Northwestern China

Summary:

Situated in the southeastern fringe of the Tengger Desert, the Shapotou area is covered with large tracts of sand dunes; a 42 km section of the Baotou-Lanzhou Railway line crosses the area. To ensure smooth operation of the railway an artificial protective system, which emphasis a "fixation" and "block" approach has been established since 1965. After 30 years this practice has proved that artificial protective systems, using vegetation dune stabilization as a main measure and mechanical dune stabilization as an auxiliary measure, is feasible and effective under conditions of an annual rainfall of 186 mm. Once the vegetation is established on the dunes, soil development takes place which then forms a biological crust that makes mobile sand dunes stable. As time goes on, the original environment changes, causing artificial ecosystems to evolve towards natural ecosystems.

Authors:

Zhang Shude and Yang Caimin (Water and Soil Conservation Bureau of Water Conservancy Department of Shaanxi Province)

Title:

Studies on strategic countermeasures for comprehensive control aver soil and water erosion along the Yellow River region in Shaanxi province

Publisher:

Bulletin of Soil and Water Conservation. 11(6):1-9

Date:

1991

Language:

Chinese

Classification:

6Ce

Region:

Shaanxi, China

Summary:

This paper discusses the advantages and disadvantages of soil and water erosion control and development along the Yellow River and analyses the effectiveness of practices in recent years. The author suggests basic guidelines for further development in this area: objectives, top priority regions, technical strategies and complementary measures to control soil and water erosion in this region.