Afforestation and Salinity Control Using Tamarix

Three counties in Hotan Prefecture on the southern margins of the Taklimakan Desert in the Tarim Basin, in the south-west of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, western China;
Jiashi County on western borders of the Taklimakan.

The problem

Arid climate with low rainfall and high evapotranspiration;
Wide extremes of temperature ;
Strong thermal winds and frequent storms;
Southward movement of mobile dunes threatening productive lands, towns and infrastructure in Hotan Prefecture;
Waterlogging and salinization on flat, poorly drained areas in Jiashi County;
Limited and variable water resources - three quarters from seasonal rivers;
Increasing human and animal population pressure, especially in Hotan, resulting in greater demands for food and water and fuel;
Degradation of the vegetative cover around oases and increased mobility of sand dunes;
Expansion of agriculture to marginal lands;
Water shortages.

The solution

Rehabilitation of vegetation to protect oases by diverting surplus summer flood waters containing mature Tamarix seeds onto rehabilitation sites;
Using indigenous species of Tamarix, so providing an inexpensive, low labour, easily acceptable solution ;
Protecting reforested areas by forest guards or village volunteers for three years before allowing controlled harvesting of fuelwood;
Rehabilitation of heavily salinized land in Jiashi country using salt-tolerant tamarix varieties.

The project achievements

Rehabilitation of over 40,000 ha in Jiashi County - 25 per cent for agricultural production;
Rehabilitation of over 26,000 ha in Hotan Prefecture;
Improved availability of fuelwood;
Increased fodder supplies;
Increased per capita livestock numbers in a zero grazing system;
Increased agricultural production, especially of grain and cotton;
Improved household incomes - through increased agricultural production and the sale of products made from tamarix -baskets, earth carriers etc.;
Increased alternative employment e.g. forest guards, cottage industry.

The overall achievement

Overall improvement in the environment of a very harsh region;
Rehabilitation method accepted as an annual development activity in Hotan;
Master plan to the year 2050 accepted for Jiashi;
Replication adopted in 50 counties of Xinjiang and in areas of Gansu Province.

The project achievements

Rehabilitation of over 40,000 ha in Jiashi County - 25 per cent for agricultural production;
Rehabilitation of over 26,000 ha in Hotan Prefecture;
Improved availability of fuelwood;
Increased fodder supplies;
Increased per capita livestock numbers in a zero grazing system;
Increased agricultural production, especially of grain and cotton;
Improved household incomes - through increased agricultural production and the sale of products made from tamarix -baskets, earth carriers etc.;
Increased alternative employment e.g. forest guards, cottage industry.

The overall achievement

Overall improvement in the environment of a very harsh region;
Rehabilitation method accepted as an annual development activity in Hotan;
Master plan to the year 2050 accepted for Jiashi;
Replication adopted in 50 counties of Xinjiang and in areas of Gansu Province.

This project was implemented by the Xinjiang Institute of Biology and Pedology and Desert Research and the local communities with funds from the Chinese Government and local communities.

Success Stories: Asia Pacific