Author:

Zhang Wei

Title:

Succession and overgrazed vegetation recovery in enclosures in decertified rangeland of Naiman Banner

Publisher:

Journal of Arid Land Resources and Environment. 6(3):74-84

Date:

1992

Language:

Chinese

Classification:

6Cd

Region:

Inner Mongolia, China

Summary:

Protecting desertificated rangeland from livestock grazing is an effective measure to combat rangeland desertification caused by overgrazing. This method is widely used in North China. This study seeks to determine subsequent changes in vegetation and landscape. Vegetation and landforms in three enclosures, which were protected from livestock grazing for two, three and eight years in Naiman Banner were investigated. Nine types of plant communities were recognized according to vegetation classification. Alter several years of protection from livestock grazing, the plant cover and number of plant community types increased and the amount of shifting sand within enclosures was reduced. Above ground plant biomass may follow a sigmoid curve, increasing at the beginning of protection from livestock grazing and declining later due to vegetation succession. A comparative analysis showed that the vegetative biomass in enclosures kept increasing over eight years on severely decertified rangeland with the most rapid increases in the first three years.

Authors:

Zhang Weixiang and Zhao Feng (Northwest Research Institute of Population of Geography Department of Lanzhou University)

Title:

Analysis of oasis agroecological systems in arid inland watersheds

Publisher:

Agricultural Research in the Arid Areas. 10(1):93-99

Date:

1992

Language:

Chinese

Classification:

2Ed, 6Ce

Region:

North China

Summary:

Using Shiyang watershed on the West Bank of the Yellow River as an example, this paper analyses the productivity of oasis agroecological systems using the following factors: effects of human management, agroclimatic suitability, soil fertility, water resource availability, natural productivity of the oasis and economic returns of water use. Recognizing natural differences in ecological conditions of in] and watershed, this paper recommends integrated agriculture and oasis construction and development in the arid area. An oasis in the middle part of the arid inland watershed provides a high quality agricultural production system.

Author:

Zhang Weizheng (Institute Of Grassland Science, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024)

Title:

The relationship between vegetation degeneration and soil salinisation in an Aneurolepidium chinese grassland of Songhua Jiang and Nen Jiang Plain

Publisher:

Acta Phytoecologica Sinica. 18(1)

Date:

1994

Language:

Chinese

Classification:

2Ec, 3Ac, 3Bb, 3Bd

Region:

Northeast of China

Summary:

The relationship between vegetation degeneration and soil salinisation in an Aneurolopidium chinese grassland of Songhua Jiang and Nen Jiang Plain is discussed in this paper. Importance Value (IV), Relative coverage (C') and Relative Above-ground Biomass (W') are used as indicators of vegetation degeneration. Electrical Conductivity (EC) and Exchangeable Sodium Percentage (ESP) are used as indices of soil salinisation. The relationships among IV, C', EC and ESP can be best described by IV=60.1*0.69EC. IV=64.03*0.97ESP, C'=95.48*0.95ESP, and C'=96.2*0.56EC. This suggests that IV and C' are negatively correlated with EC and ESP of the soil. It is shown that W' is positively correlated with both soil organic matter (OM) and hydrolysable nitrogen (N) contents. Both EC and ESP can be described as a function of OM. The regression equations are EC=8.84*0.850 m. The results indicate that the saline soil of Songnen Plain can be effectively ameliorated by increasing soil organic matter and nitrogen inputs.

Authors:

Zhang Xiaoren and Xu Xianying (Gansu Desert Control Institute)

Title:

Comparative tests on the salt-resistance of seven Tamarisks

Publisher:

Journal of Desert Research. 13(1)

Date:

1993

Language:

Chinese

Classification:

6Ea

Region:

Gansu, China

Summary:

The maximum resistance of seven Tamarisks to NaCl, Na₂SO₄ NaHCO₃, and Na₂CO₃ were tested and observed. Cytolymph density, ash content of assimilatory branches and survival rates during the first two years were also studied. Based upon quantitative tests using PCA analysis the Tamarisks can be ranked in the following order: Tamarix laxa > T. kansuensis > T. elongata > T. hohenacheri > T. austromongolica > T. arceutholdes > T. ramosissima.

Authors:

Zhang Xingnian, Wang Changyao and Lin Hengzhang (Institute Of Remote Sensing Applications, Cas, Beijing 100101)

Title:

A study of land degradation in neighbouring areas of Shanxi, Shaanxi and Inner Mongolia using remote sensing methods

Publisher:

Acta Geographical Sinica. 48(2)

Date:

1993

Language:

Chinese

Classification:

2Cd, 3Aa, 3Ab, 3Ba, 3Bb

Region:

North China

Summary:

Land degradation processes include soil erosion, desertification, salinisation, alkalisation, swamping, soil fertility loss, and the degradation of soil structure and soil pollution are caused by wind, water and human influence. The Loess Plateau is situated in the central part of China, with an area of 623.7 million ha, an arid and semi-arid continental monsoon climate, strong winds in spring and torrential rains in autumn. The original parent material of the soil is mainly loess. The vegetation coverage is tenuous and the soil, nutrient-poor. This study, using remote sensing, showed that in the Loess Plateau both natural conditions and the influence of human activity have caused severe land degradation. More than 80 percent of the total area experiences water and soil erosion problems; the land degradation index is more than five. In the very fragile environment of this region land degradation has increased rapidly, leading to an astonishing loss of soil nutrient.

Author:

Zhang Xiutu (Institute of Desert Research, Academia Sinica, Lanzhou)

Title:

Studies on drought resistance of plant species of genus Caragana Fabr. in sandy areas of Shapotou

Publisher:

Journal of Desert Research. 10(3)

Date:

1990

Language:

Chinese

Classification:

6Ea

Region:

North China

Summary:

In this paper 12 species of the genus Caragana Fabr. in the sandy area of Shapotou have been comparatively studied. Based on a principal components analysis of the characteristic structure of leaf anatomy and water physiology, the order of drought resistance of these species is arranged as follows: C. lencopholea > C. acanthophylla > C. tibetica > C. stenopylla > C. korshinskii > C. opulens - C. hololeuca > C. intermedia > C. microphylla > C. rohorovskyi > C. erinacea > C. arborescens. This order provides scientific evidence for species selection related to revegetation of drifting sand.

Authors:

Zhang Yongtao and Shen Yuancun

Title:

Land resource evaluation and land use structures in desert steppe areas of Ningxia

Publisher:

Journal of Arid Land Resources and Environment. 7(3,4):174- 178

Date:

1993

Language:

Chinese

Classification:

2Ed, 6Aa, 6Ee

Region:

Ningxia

Summary:

Located in the middle and northern parts of Ningxia, the desert steppe covers an area of 32 020 km², with a population of 2.9 million persons or 62 percent of the total population of Ningxia. Landforms in the region can be divided into eleven types: swampy depression, oasis, clay and silt flat land, high flat land, gently sloping land, valley and gully land, terrace, hill and low mountain, middle mountain and water bodies, According to land suitability for farming, forestry and animal husbandry, land in the area can be divided into nine quality grades, Land in the first one to four grades is suitable for farming. grades five to seven are suitable for afforestation and grade eight is unsuitable for any use. Land area suitable for farming comprises 8 503.53 km²; for afforestation and animal husbandry, 8 221.08 km² and 13 016.21 km², respectively. Land area suitable for animal husbandry occupies 40.64 percent of the total area, while those suitable for farming and afforestation only occupy 26.55 percent and 25.69 percent, respectively. Animal husbandry therefore plays a leading role in the region.

Authors:

Zhao Chengyi and Han Delin (Xinjiang Institute of Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences)

Title:

Optimal analysis on ecoeconomic systems of oases in arid zone: the Manas Oasis prototype

Publisher:

Journal of Arid Land Resources and Environment. 7(1):9-18

Date:

1993

Language:

Chinese

Classification:

6Da

Region:

North China

Summary:

This paper examines the structure and function of oasis from both an economic development and environmental protection perspective, using Manas Oasis as an sample ecoeconomic system in an arid zone. Manas Oasis is a large, integrated farm that includes industrial and agricultural activity and high economic benefits. The relationship between structural components of the system are suboptimal and environmental conditions are worsening. The authors use optimal design to resolve contradictions between water, forage and fertilizer use within existing economic and environmental constraints in order to integrate economic, social and ecological benefits.

Authors:

Zhao Halin, Masayuki Nemoto, Toshiya Ohduro, Xu Bin and He zongying (Institute of Desert Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, 730000)

Title:

Changes in meadow ecosystems on sandyland used for gazing

Publisher:

Journal of Desert Research. 15 (spec. l)

Date:

1995

Language:

Chinese

Classification:

3Aa, 3Ba, 4Bb, 6Ee

Region:

Inner Mongolia, China

Summary:

The study presents the results of grazing experiments on sandy land. (1) Primary productivity and secondary productivity both decline under heavy grazing conditions. (2) Community degree and plant diversity are lower under medium grazing pressure as compared to heavy grazing. (3) Coverage and height of vegetation declines rapidly and bare soil appears. (4) Solar radiation reflection and differences in temperature increase on heavily grazed land. (5) Utilization ratio should be 50 percent forage on sandy meadow lands of Horqin Sandy Land.

Author:

Zhao Singqiao (Institute of Geography, Academia Sinica and the State Planning Commission, Beijing)

Title:

Recent progress in arid zones research in China

Publisher:

Scientia Geographical Sinica. 10(3):208-216

Date:

1990

Language:

Chinese

Classification:

1, 2B, 2Ca, 2Cb, 2Cc 2Cd, 6Aa, 6Ab

Region:

China

Summary:

Arid zones (including semi-arid zones) are widely distributed from the west of the Da Hinggan Mountain, through the Taihang Mountain, Liupan Mountain, and Bayan Har Mountains, to the Nyainqentanglha Range in China. In the past 40 years, and in especially the last ten, China has made great progress in arid zones research; some fields rank among the world's most advanced. Arid zones research involves the following activities: (1) inventory and evaluation of natural resources, including land, water, climate and biological and mineral resources; and (2) monitoring and control of natural disasters. Research emphasises disasters such as drought and salinisation, and particularly, sandstorm control. (3) The evaluation and prediction of geographical environments is important because natural evolution and the effect of human activities is causing the geographical environment in arid zones to change continually. (4) Analysis of production allocations to industry, agriculture and transport is needed to meet national economic development needs and to address production pressures now being placed on arid zones. (5) Population dynamics considered the growth of national minority populations, the population and economy of mountainous areas, population and environment and northwest migration. Policies for adjusting industrial structure and coordinating development are proposed. (6) Regional research and development focuses on large-scale development for the next century. Future efforts should expand the range and depth of arid zones research, especially strengthening comprehensive and regional research activities.

Authors:

Zhao Songling and Yu Hongjun (Institute of Oceanology, Academia Sinica, Qindao)

Title:

Progress in the study of shelf sedimentary environments

Publisher:

Journal of Desert Research. 13(4)

Date:

1993

Language:

Chinese

Classification:

2B, 2Cd, 3C, 4Aa

Region:

North China

Summary:

These authors seek to understand the influence of global change and continental shelf environmental change since Quaternary, and especially the Late Pleistocene, on shelf sedimentary environments in China. Progress in future studies of shelf sedimentary environments may focus on the following fields: (1) Exploring the relationship between formation of the great Qinghai-Xizang ice sheet and the Yangtze River delta deposits. Geomorphologists have various views about the characteristics of China's continental shelf during the glacial epoch, especially the range and scope of the paleo-glacier. Temperature was lower, the scope of glacier was wide, the snowline was lower, the main precipitation was solid state and runoff of the Yangtze River was much less than it is today. Changes in the natural environment of the Yangtze River valley may have controlled changes in the Yangtze River's runoff and influenced the development of the Yangtze River delta. (2) The close relationship between loess and deserts is examined; loess is always accompanied by deserts. Loess on China's continental shelf is related to several main cold waves. Along the cold wave route, deserts appear first, then areas of loess distribution. In the continental shelf region, the same regularity is observed. Large desert ranges can be found on the windward side of continental loess. (3) Some of the new evidence of desertification of the shell deposits in the last stage of the Late Pleistocene includes: (a) endless erosion surfaces, (b) thick accumulation of mixed deposits, (c) typical "angle of repose " texture, (d) disintegration of united marine stratum and (e) overlapping of submarine dune deposits.

Authors:

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

Title:

Poplar introduction and its selection in the cold semi-arid area of the North China

Publisher:

Scientia Silvae Sinicae. 28(4):353-356

Date:

1992

Language:

Chinese

Classification:

3Aa, 6Eb

Region:

North China

Summary:

There is a large area suitable for high yield plantations of poplar in the cold semi-arid areas of North China. Wide utilization of good clones of P. euramericana and P. deltoides in this area is restricted by the dry and cold climate. Forty-five poplar clones were recently selected from high latitudes of Europe and America and their growth potential studied. Four clones of P. eurmericana and one clone of P. Deltoides were chosen based on analysis of isolated growth seedling, and disease and cold resistance. Cluster analysis of selected clones is 14.5- 16.8 m in the six year-old plantation, the average DBH, 19.5-22.9 cm, the average volume per tree, 0.1956-0.3126 m; form figure of the stem is 0.4476-0.4650. Average volume increment per ha per year for these clones is 46.3-134.2 percent higher than the control cultivar, P. beijingensis. Yield levels of poplar plantations in this area will be increased by extending the use these cold-resistant and fast growing clones.

Author:

Zhao Xingliang

Titles:

Damages and countermeasures for catastrophic sandstorm occurrences in Gansu Province

Publisher:

Journal of Desert Research. 13(3):1-7

Date:

1993

Language:

Chinese

Classification:

3Ba, 6Ce

Region:

Gansu, China

Summary:

A catastrophic sandstorm occurred at 1400-2000 on 5 May 1993 in the desert area of northwest China. The height of the dust cloud varied between 300-400 m, with maximum height reaching 700 m. The frontal dust cloud advanced at a mean velocity of 50-80 km/hr. with a maximum velocity of 76 km/hr, instantaneous wind velocity 20 m/s or more, and maximum wind speed 34 m/s. The visibility near ground surface ranged from 0-100 m. This sandstorm caused great damage to industrial and agricultural production in the Hexi Corridor of Gansu province, Alxa region of Inner Mongolia and Ningxia. It has been estimated that the direct economic loss amounted to 236 million yuan. According to survey and analytical data in several typical regions, the damage occurred mainly in the old oases and newly opened irrigation regions, where there were no perfect shelterbelts. The main countermeasures to control sandstorms include establishment of psammophile vegetation, large-scale sandbreak forests, farmland shelterbelts and protection of existing vegetation.

Authors:

Zhao Xue, Zhang Qiang, Li Qisen and Zhao Cunyu (institute of Desert Research, Chinese Academy of science, Lanzhou, 730000)

Title:

Introduction and selection of annual plant species on abandoned farmland on sandy soil in Bashang region

Publisher:

Journal of Desert Research. 14(4)

Date:

1994

Language:

Chinese

Classification:

3Ab, 6Cd

Region:

North China

Summary:

When introducing successful new plant species, annual and biennial species provide a greater range of families and genera than those of perennial species. Species show different responses depending on soil types, soil moisture conditions and other similar factors. The best species for introduction are Arena saliva, Vicia sativa and several species of Phalaris genus.