Development of Polymer Materials for Combating Desertification

Aiming respectively at the two problems in desertiflcation areas, namely water shortage and serious soil erosion, the polymer materials for combating desertiflcation may be classified as water absorbing-retaining polymers (WARPs) and sandy soil stabilizing polymers (SSSPs). Their further classifications and current researcfl situations were introduced. It is suggested that the major hindrancefor their wide appHcation is the high cost. The authors' newest research resuits on cutting cost and enhancing ef...

Division of desertification climate types and determination of potential range of desertification in China

Distribution of desertification climate types in China was analyzed using Thornthwaite's method on calculating potential evapotranspiration (PE), according to the definition provided by the United Nations Convention, by employing meteorological records from 1864 stations in China. The annual PE and the humidity indices were calculated for every station, based on which a distribution map of HI was constructed. The potential range of desertification in China was obtained for the first time, about 3.32 million km2 and makes up about 34.6 percent of the country. The distribution map of HI was compared with the vegetation map of China and the precipitation map of China respectively. In eastern and northern China, the distribution of climate types is basically acceptable, but for QinghaiTibetan Plateau, where Thornthwaite's method on calculating PE is not quite suitable, the isopleths are deviated to the northern side and the potential range of desertification is smaller than expected.

Determination of the Status of Desertification in the Capital of Mauritania and Development of A Strategy for Combating It

Mauritania, located in the Western Sahara, is one of the least developed countries in the Sahara Desert. Its capital, Nouakchott, which is home to 23% of its population, suffers from soil erosion from the Sahara and saltwater intrusion from the Atlantic Ocean. The local environment is under pressure from the combined effects of climate and socio-economic factors, with desertification being recognized as the greatest threat to life. In this context, high-resolution remote sensing images of Nouakchott obtained during the winters of 1985, 1988, 2000, 2006, and 2010 are selected for interpretation and classification. Analysis of the types of desertification and land use reveals the temporal and spatial characteristics of five distinct time periods from 1985 to 2010. This study analyzes the current status of desertification in Nouakchott and suggests five preventive measures.

The Evolution of Desertification Control and Restoration Technology in Typical Ecologically Vulnerable Regions

Global economic development and increasing human activities have brought great challenges to fragile ecosystems.In order to avoid,reduce,and reverse desertification,Chinese and foreign scientists and ecological governance institutions have developed a series of ecological restoration technologies(ERTs)and models in the past few decades.These technologies can improve residents’livelihoods,strengthen disaster resilience,and launch a comprehensive review of degraded ecosystems in desertification regions.However,some studies and practices have limited the selection and promotion of good technologies and the assessments of these technologies,resulting in the waste and loss of funds and manpower.The objective of this study is to identify desertification control and restoration technologies and models,summarize the evolutionary features and trends of these technologies under different natural conditions,and evaluate the various ERTs that are now available.The data sources of this study include the databases of international organizations,CNKI,related literature and reports,and questionnaires from institutions and experts.First,the three stages of ERTs evolution were summarized,and the key events and social-economic developments were identified as the driving forces of evolution.Then,the four categories of ERTs were identified as biological,engineering,agricultural,and management ERTs.Finally,the key ERTs were evaluated in the five dimensions of the degree of difficulty,the degree of maturity,effectiveness,suitability,and potential for transfer.The management ERTs scores for the degree of difficulty,the degree of maturity,and potential for transfer are higher.This study provides a reference for adapting to local conditions,the comprehensive management,rational development,and utilization of dryland resources,improving the application of ecological technologies,and promoting the export and import of the excellent technologies.

Assessment of Desert Ecological Assets and Countermeasures for Ecological Compensation

Can deserts be transformed into resources, into assets, and further into cash? It is necessary to scientifically assess desert ecological assets and incorporate them into the national economic accounting system and the current evaluation system for socio-economic development. This study will provide a scientific basis and robust data for establishing a target system that is compatible with both ecological civilization and an associated reward and punishment mechanism, as well as for designing and implementing effective compensation policies for desert ecosystems. This paper first defines desert ecological assets, and then develops a framework for assessing them based on the evaluation of desert ecological resources and desert ecosystem services. This framework paves the foundation for quantitatively assessing desert ecological assets and preparing balance sheets of desert ecological assets. Finally, this paper analyzes current policies relating to desert ecological compensation, discusses how to design compensation policies based on assessment of desert ecological assets, and puts forward suggestions for improving current policies.