The fololowing is an overview of other studies undertaken by the Project:
• Land-use classification map
• Site-classification map
• Re-vegetation of shifting sandy dunes
• Sand-dune based greenhouses
• Elm in Korqin
• P. simonii in Northern China
• Diseases of elm, poplar and willow
Background: in order to be able to plan efficiently land-use activities, including afforestation, a land-use classification map is an important tool. It is also very usefull to classify intervention priorities in function of the severity of the existing land-degradation.
Achievements of the Project:
• development of a land-use classification system adapted to the Korqin
• based on satellite images and using the land-use classification, development of a land-use map at 1/200 000
• field checks and comprobation of the established land-classification and -map
• training provided to Project staff and institutions in the region in the use and applications of the land-use map
The map covers an area of approximately 87,000 km2, from Shuangliao County in the East to the Hongshan Reservoir in the West (300 km) and from Kulun Town in the south to Tiaonan City in the north (350 km). The map is essential to a better understanding of the utilization of the land in every Banner and County in the Korqin Sandy Lands, in understanding the distribution of vegetation and the advancement of desertification (including desertified land, saline and alkaline land and water-logged lands) and in land-use planning for agriculture, animal husbandry and forestry, as well as for urban and infrastructure planning.
From the land classification map it is obvious that saline-alkaline soils are pre-dominant in the Northewrn part of the Korqin, that desertification is worst in the West and that it advances from West to East, and that measures are urgently required to protect the still relatively intact soils in the East before they are completely destroyed by inappropiate land-use.
Map 14. Land utilization map (1:200,000)
Background: site classes help define were which trees can be established and what kind of growth can be expected. A site-class map is the basis for sound forestry planning and practice.
Achievements of the Project:
• development of an easy to use but precise site classification system adapted to the conditions in the Korqin, based on the depth of the underground water-table and the presence of topsoil, as main criteria, with additionally vegetation and intensity of human disturbance
• preparation and development of a site classification map (1/50 000), derived from the land-use map (1/200 000)
• field checks and comprobation of the proposed classes
The site classification was developed during the second phase of the Project and is used to interprete the differences in trial results obtained during the first phase, and to plan the trials during the second phase. It will play an essential role in the plannification for the large scale afforestation and re-vegetation project, for which the Project is developing afforestation (re-vegetation) models, in function of site classes, among other considerations.
The site classification map has been not been developed for the Northern Korqin Sandy Lands. Due the enormous amount of work involved, priority has been on the Soputhern part, most suitable for afforestation (the northern Korqin has more saline or alkaline soils, where the Project has not obtained favourable results).
Map 15. Site Classification in Korqin Sandy Land (1:50,000)
Background: Greening and fixation of shifting sand dunes is important to impede the mobile sands to further invade valuable land and to reduce dust generation and to assign some kind of productive function to these barrren lands, such as fodder production, with controlled grazing or fenced-off carry and feed systems.
At the same time, the establishment of a vegetation cover can be considered in these areas as a first step before planting trees: the shrubs and herbs protect the planted trees and soil during the first years of establishment.
This revegetation process is relatively expensive and without significant economic returns in the short run. Therefore it is important to develop systems that can achieve this in the most economical and efficient way.
Achievements by the Project:
• Re-vegetation of 100 ha at Baotuyingze including land-use planning according to site-classes; demonstration of revegetation with establishment of productive shelterbelt, shrub sowing, reconstruction trials of native open woodland with elms, willows, Prunus armeniaca, Acer mono, among other species, grazing exclusion areas, erosion control through mechanical-biological means.
• Management based on agro-forestry : demonstration of re-habilitation of farmland at Molimiao, through agro-forestry, with agriculture, fodder production, hedgerows, shelterbelts, forest plantations, nursery, grazing exclusion areas and sowing of fodder species (see also Section 5.6. "Advances in Agro-forestry").
• Re-vegetation at Shenglimiao, through land-use planning according to site-classes, pilot plantation establishment and shrub-sowing;
• Testing of different techniques such as seed-blowing for broadcast sowing, establishment of mechanical barriers against wind-erosion, protection of trees against blow-out of the rootsystem.
At all sites it has been convincingly demonstrated that fencing-off is an indispensable measure to achieve fast results. At Baotuyingze about 40 ha were fenced-off and left alone, to be compared with another 60 ha area at the same location, were the Project has installed several trials and experiences. The left-alone area was after two years almost as green as the other one.
It has also been demonstrated that MAP planting is very successful.
The main Project site for sandy dune rehabilitation is on the southern shifting sand dunes near Baotuyingzi Village, Mingren District, Naiman Banner, at 4,5 km from the Xinglongzhao Forest Farm and with an area of 100 ha. Before rehabilitation started, these were active moving sand dunes, with only very little vegetation in the depressions between dunes, with a coverage of less than 5%.
Starting in 1998, experiments on rehabilitation by revegetation on shifting sand dunes have been conducted. After 4 years the dunes may be considered as fixed with a vegetation coverage of over 70%.
Fencing is the single most important management measure to be taken in order to quickly re-establish a vegetation cover, and thus sand-stabilization.
For cost information on fencing-off, please refer to Section 6.3.
The site-class map developed by the Project (see parragraph 7.2.), was used to assist ground reconaissance and demarcation of the four main site (and land-use) classes: site 1: low and humid grasslands (water table at less than 1 m deep); site class 2: suitable for agro-forestry, with sand stabilization and windprotection (water level is at 1 m to 2.5 m deep); site class 3: suitable for productive shelter-forest (water level is at 2.5 m to 4 m deep); site class 4: only used for vegetation rehabilitation and protection (water level is at 4 m and over).
In an attempt to reduce wind-erosion off the top of the sand dunes straw barriers forming grids of 50 cm x 50 cm were established. However, due to a bad selection of the site, the grids quicly were completely covered by sand. In order to be effective, it is of extreme importance to locate these grids on blow-out areas, and not on areas that are actually accumulating sand.
Aerial broadcast-seeding is an often used way of vegetation rehabilitation on sandy lands. In 1998 and 1999, a seed blower developed by the Inner Mongolia Forestry Institute (BQD-40) and pulled by a wheeled tractor (Tianjing 654) was used in June to sow shrub and grass species: Astragalus adsurgens, Caragana microphylla, Artemisia halodendron and Hedysarum fructicosim var. laeve. A total of 150 kg seed has been sown over 13.3 ha (11.25 kg/ha). Of the 13.3 ha sown, 10 ha have been effectively revegetated. Artemisia halodendron grew over 20 centimeter in the first year. The Hedysarum fructicosum var. laeve has by now reached its full size of 2 m and the Astragalus adsurgens is 1.5 m. Results with Caragana microphylla were less favorable.
On sites where seed has been sown, the moving sansds and wind erosion have been controlled completely.
To raise the economic benefits productive shelter-forest (0.60 ha) was established by deep-augering technique (MAP) on site class 2 and partially site class 3, with the objective of reducing over time the wind impact and to produce an economic return.
Open woodlands are the original vegetation type in Korqin Sandy Lands, but was destroyed seriously by reconversion, over-grazing and firewood collection. In April 1999 a mixed plantation with Prunus ameniaca (pit-planting) and poplar (Sanbei" No.1 and Niqing x Shahaiguan) (2-year old cuttings established by deep augering with man-held mechanical auger). The spacing of poplar is 2m x 4 m, in small blocks. Inside these blocks the Prunus was planted. Astragalus adsurgens and Hedysarum leave, were braodcast sown under the trees.
Established in autumn 1998 using clone Baicheng #41, 2-year old saplings (1.8 ha).
Native species introduced from Daqinggou: Acer mono, Acer truncatum, Celtis dungeana and Morus mongolica. Established in April 1999 with an area of 1.54 ha, 1-year old seedlings were used.
Land degradation results from a combination of inappropriate and over-use of the soil, and of over-grazing, in an attempt to produce more than the site can produce in a sustainable way. By introducing alternative crops, particularly cash crops, or other methods of generating income that provide incentives for the further stabilization of unproductive land, the reliance on unsustainable practices can be reduced. To try and respond to this challenge, the Project has elaborated on the idea of integrating greenhouses for cash-crop production into the sand-dunes, using the sand-dune as a protection against wind and cold. The main cash-crop is grapes, but others crops may also be approprate.
If dunes can be made productive in this way, farmers would become motivated to invest in dune-fixation.
Achievements by the Project:
• New varieties of high-quality grapes were successfully introduced and a reproduction base developed
• Six different types of dune-based greenhouses designed, built and in operation.
The work with sand-dune based greenhouses was started by the Project in 1997.
Sand dune-based greenhouse are oriented to the South and have a sand-dune of certain height as its back wall and sidewalls. The main characteristics are:
• It takes advantage of the existing miro-topographic features, and has a potential for sand-stabilization.
• the space available inside is 20%-50% larger compared to a conventional greenhouse and its heat accumulating capacity is big enough to keep temperatures up and relative humidity down
• it has socio-economic potential.
Sand dune-based greenhouses are built at the leeward side of unstable mobile or semi-mobile sand dunes. In order to avoid that the greenhouse is covered in a short time by the moving sands, stabilization must be undertaken, both through mechanical means as well as through biological means. Shrubs and herbs with high economic value are favoured, including species such as Prunus sibirica, Amorpha fruticosa, Astragalus adsurgens and alfafa.
In order to grow grapes in a satisfying way, soil improvement is needed. The greenhouse should be complemented by animal husbandry capable of providing manure for the needed soil improvement. Crop farming inside the greenhouse increases the economic output on the usable area. Green folder with high protein content can be planted in the space between rows of individuals and around the greenhouse.
Sandy dune-based greenhouse increases manyfold the production capacity of what otherwise would be a baren area, and promote sand-fixation and greening. It could contribute to maintaining the stability of rural communities, vertically integrating and intensifying local production systems, and increasing the level of use of technology in other production systems .
Sand dune-based greenhouse should be oriented to the South and have a sand-dune of sufficient height as its back wall and sidewalls, to protect the greenhouse from the dominant North-Western winds. Six types have been build and compared. All greenhouses have the following dimensions: the back wall is about is 3.2m-3.4m heigh, the width from South to North is 6.5m-7.0m, and from East to West it should not measure less than 35m. Orientation should be E-W, with 5° deviation to the South.
The roof- and other structures for all the types are made of wood.
All types require a relatively flat and stable or semi-stable sandy land, protected by shelterbelts.
1. Brickwall backed greenhouse with wooden roof framework
This type of greenhouse has to the back and at both sides a double brick wall, separated by a space that is filled up with sawdust and dry leaves. This is similar to the traditional kind of greenhouse usually built beyond 43° N latitude in China.
2. Dune-backed greenhouse, interior dune-slope stabilised with brick-grid
The interior dune-slope is lowered to an angle of 30-40°, and stabilised with a grid made-up of side-turned bricks. The spaces inside the brick grid may be used for cultiviation of vegetables and flowers with low height, increasing the out-put and diversity of production from the greenhouse.
3. Dune-backed greenhouse, interior dune-slope stabilised with fence
When tree and grass roots are holding the sand dune slope together, but nor enough, to prevent the dune from collapsing and the sand flowing downwards in the greenhouse, a 1.0m heigh fence, made of poles and intertwined branches is established at the foot of the dune. In this way the slope above the fence becomes stable and may serve as back wall for the greenhouse.
Measures to deviate the water flowing down the slope are needed and grasses and shrubs should be planted to further stabilise the back slope.
4. Dune-backed greenhouse, interior dune-slope stabilised with wickerwork
When the sand dune is not high enough, it may be raised employing, a wall formed by wickerwork of willow branches may be used, that is filled up from behind with leaves and saw dust as isolation against the cold.
This type of greenhouse has the potential for wide-spread use for the excellent heat saving effect of its back wall and the stable structure with the willow fence.
5. Slope without treatment
When tree and grass roots are holding together the sand dune slope thoroughly, and where the slope is steep and high, the sand dune may serve as back wall without further treatment.
Measures to deviate the water flowing down the slope are needed and grasses and shrubs should be planted to further stabilise the back slope.
6. Model B: Slope without treatment
On less stable big dunes, with less inclined slopes, the natural shape can also be used, increasing the constructin costs. This type of greenhouse is very stable, and the space of its back wall is available.
Ziziphus (chinese dates) or other crops may be cultivated in the flat area to the back of the sand-dune slope greenhouses, increasing the productivity. These fruit trees which can not be cultivated in the open field or the early-ripening ones as well as the over winter strawberry can be cultivated in the space.
7. Tunnel-shaped greenhouse, without back-wall
The tunnel-shaped polyhouse is a greenhouse based on wooden framework without walls. The establishment of this greenhouse differs from the traditional polyhouse in that it is built for fruit tree cultivation, being taller and needing more building materials and of higher quality, making it more expensive. However, as the space inside it is much bigger, the cultivated fruit trees and other cash crops can fully develop, and output is much higher than that of a traditional greenhouse.
Its dimensions are 12 m wide, 2.5 m high by 35 m long.
Based on four years' observation and practice types 1, 2, 4, 6 are more suitable, either for reasons of stability, ease of construction and costs.
The vegetation and the shelterbelt protection around the greenhouse are crucial for the heat saving and for the protection against the wind. The temperature changes inside the greenhouse are very complicated. On a clear day with sunshine, the maximum temperature inside the greenhouse may reach 45°C for a long time, and even applying ventilation, it will remain well above 30°C. However, temperatures between daytime and night are very different.
Drip irrigation is the most appropriate type, as it allows saving water and application of fertilizer in an efficicient way.
In the poor sandy soils of the dunes, soil improvement beomes extremely important for grape cultiviation. After four year's trial and practice, it has been determined that best results are obtained when the soil improvement is carried out in a ditch, with a dimension of 1 m wide by 1 m deep. Topsoil and soil from deeper layers are separated during digging.
A layer of 20 cm thick of straw is laid on the bottom of the ditch. This layer is covered with topsoil, and finally with the remainig soil to refill the ditch. Fertilizer with trace-elements should be added; yearly, additional manure, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and other micro-elements should be provided. The soil improvement for vegetable production is done in much the same, but to a depth of 0.5 m instead of 1 m.
The wooden-framework sand dune-based greenhouse is made up of wood, bamboo plank and some supplementary materials. The building materials and their costs are listed in the following table.
Table 7.4.1 : Cost of building materials used in the construction of dune
slope backed greenhouse (Naiman)
(per mu)
Materials |
|
Wood and bamboo |
5893 |
Plastic film |
1890 |
Nails and wire |
1550 |
Straw mats |
2236 |
Total |
11569 |
Labour costs for the construction of this greenhouse type are 4950 RMB, and for the soil improvement 4000 RMB.
The mud wall-based greenhouse is the greenhouse with mud wall at the back. Its building materials and cost are listed in the following table.
Table 7.4.2 : Cost of building materials used in the construction of
traditional mud-wall backed greenhouse
(per mu)
Materials |
Cost |
Wood and bamboo |
8314 |
Plastic film |
1650 |
Nails and wire |
1300 |
Straw mats |
2236 |
Total |
13500 |
Labour cost for the construction of this greenhouse type are 5610 RMB, and for soil improvement 3000 RMB. As this greenhouse is generally located on better quality soils, costs for soil improvement are less, but a land lease of about 2250 RMB per mu and for a 10-year period should be calculated.
It is easily concluded that though the sand dune-based greenhouse is cheaper to build compared to the mud wall backed greenhouse, the soil improvement costs are higher, because the inherent lack of fertility of soils on shifting dunes. Therefore, the total costs of the two are nearly the same.
For comparisson, costs for a brick-walled greenhouse are at least 30,000 RMB per mu.
Table 7.4.3 : Cost of building materials used for the construction of tunnel shaped greenhouse
Materials |
Cost |
Wood and bamboo |
3155 |
Plastic film, cloth |
1650 |
Nails and wire |
1088 |
Total |
5893 |
Labour cost for the construction of this type of greenhouse are about 1000 RMB, and soil improvement costs around 4000 RMB.
Comparison of the input and output of sandy dune-based greenhouse, sandy polyhouse and traditional polyhouse, as well as the net income of grape cultivation inside them are listed in the following table:
Table 7.4.4 : Comparison of output and income for different types of greenhouses
Type of facility |
Varieties |
Initial invest-ment |
Yearly reproduction cost (RMB) |
Output (RMB) |
Net income(RMB) | ||||||
1st year |
2nd year |
3rd year |
4th year |
1st year |
2nd year |
3rd year |
4th year | ||||
Sand dune-based greenhouse |
Early-ripening |
20500 |
5000 |
500 |
1000 |
2000 |
2000 |
-2050 |
2950 |
12950 |
12950 |
Sand dune-based greenhouse |
Late-ripening |
20500 |
5000 |
300 |
800 |
1500 |
2000 |
-3450 |
2550 |
10950 |
16950 |
Tunnel shaped greenhouse on sand-sheet area |
Late-ripening |
6500 |
4250 |
300 |
800 |
1500 |
2000 |
-1900 |
3100 |
10100 |
15100 |
Traditional greenhouse, mud-wall backed |
Early-ripening |
24500 |
5000 |
500 |
1000 |
2000 |
2000 |
-2450 |
2550 |
12550 |
12550 |
Traditional greenhouse, mud-wall backed |
Late-ripening |
24500 |
5000 |
300 |
800 |
1500 |
2000 |
-3850 |
2150 |
10550 |
16550 |
Traditional tunnel-shaped greenhouse on productive land |
Late-ripening |
6500 |
4250 |
300 |
800 |
1500 |
2000 |
-1900 |
3100 |
10100 |
15100 |
Notes:
1. The early-ripening grape varieties sell at 10.00 RMB per kg, and the late-ripening ones sell at 12.00 RMB per kg.
2. The initial investment is for the purchase of building materials, frost-protection and so on; the yearly reproduction cost includes the cost of seedlings, production materials (including plastic film - PVC type: 1 year duration; PE plastic lasts 2 years, but less transparent), labour costs and some other costs.
3. The net income simply refers to the fruit-selling income, the income obtained from inter-cropping and its by-product are not included.
4. It is assumed that the greenhouses have a usefull lifespan of 10 years.
Table 7.4.5 : Benefits from inter-cropped vegetables in grape cultivation
Type of facility |
Varieties intercropped with vegetables |
Intercropping benefits (RMB) | ||||
1st year |
2nd year |
3rd year |
4th year |
5th year | ||
Sand dune-based greenhouse |
Early-ripening |
3000 |
2000 |
2000 |
2000 |
2000 |
Sand dune-based greenhouse |
Late-ripening |
3000 |
2000 |
2000 |
2000 |
2000 |
Sandy polyhouse |
Late-ripening |
2000 |
1500 |
1500 |
1500 |
1500 |
Traditional greenhouse |
Early-ripening |
3000 |
2000 |
2000 |
2000 |
2000 |
Traditional greenhouse |
Late-ripening |
3000 |
2000 |
2000 |
2000 |
2000 |
Traditional polyhouse |
Late-ripening |
2000 |
1500 |
1500 |
1500 |
1500 |
Table 7.4.6 : Net income of vegetable production (without grapes) in greenhouses
Type of greenhouse |
Initial investment (RMB) |
Yearly reproduction cost (RMB) |
Net yearly income(RMB) |
Sand dune-based greenhouse |
20500 |
5000 |
8950-10950 |
Sandy polyhouse |
6500 |
4250 |
2150-3650 |
Traditional greenhouse |
24500 |
5000 |
4550-12950 |
Traditional polyhouse |
6500 |
4250 |
2250-3750 |
Note: Yearly greenhouse production output for one bed (1m x 5m long) is 120-200 RMB per year, and for the tunnel-shaped greenhouse it is 55-90 RMB for one bed per year.
The above analysis shows that the input and net income of the sand dune-based greenhouse is similar to that of the traditional mud-walled backed greenhouse. The cost return period of both is about 4 years, and the steady yearly output lasts over 10 years. However, there are some unique qualities the sand dune-based greenhouse has in favour over the traditional one:
- it takes the advantages of the micro-topography features of the region.
- the available space inside the greenhouse is 20%-50% larger compared to a traditional greenhouse, and its heat accumulation effect is higher
- it intensifies production on otherwise barren land
- it provides opportunities of cash-crop production and associated income generation in rural areas, mainly near population centers.
Ten grape varieties have been introduced from the U.S.A: Red Globe, Riber, Thompson Seedless, Flame Seedless, Ruby Seedless, Christmas Rose, Queen, Exotic, Centennial Seedless, Jinxi Seedless.
Six domestic outstanding grape varieties were also tried-out: Xiangfei, Jingya, Jingxiu, Lizhamate, 87-1 and Black Banana, introduced to the local region in 1998.
The grape varieties introduced from U.S.A are mostly the late-ripening varieties, not suitable for open field cultivation; the domestic varieties are early-ripening varieties, cultivation techniques of the latter for sandy soils are not yet well enough developed.
Five early-ripening varieties (Xiangfei, Jingya, Jingxiu, Centennial Seedless, 87-1) and 7 late-ripening ones (Red Globe, Riber, Thompson Seedless, Flame Seedless, Ruby Seedless, Christamas Rose and Exotic) were selected.
Adapted grape cultivation techniques have been improved for each. The Red Globe variety has been the most succesfull among the varieties tried out.
From 1998, demonstrations have been set up in Naiman and in the outskirt of Tongliao City (traditional vegetable greenhouse and polyhouse). This technique is gradually being accepted by the progressive minded among the local farmers. Over the recent 3 years, over 500 people have received training and more than 1,000 people have paid a visit to the demonstration sites.
After four years of trials and practice, it has become clear that the main problem for further development of the grape cultivation in sandy-dune greenhouses is the requiered soil improvement, for the following reasons:
- the initial investment for soil improvement is high, the time of its effect relatively short, and often it is observed that the improvement has not been good enough
- the soil nutrition supplements make up a high percentage of annual working costs (labour and fertilizers)
- it is not easy to keep the soil nutrition in balance, due to leaching out of moisture and fertilizer in the sandy soils
Background: Elm open woodland is the main original vegetation of the Korqin Sandy Lands, and has several important ecological functions. However at present the elm open woodland is disappearing fast and the remainders are generally in a state of severe degradation. There is a direct correlation between the decrease of areas covered by elm open woodland and the increase in severity of the desertification.
Elm has a high eco-economic value and is a most valuable wood resources in the Korqin. It is drought tolerant, frost resistant, resists grazing and regenerates naturally and is easy to breed and propagate. It provides an excellent fodder (leaves, young twigs, fruits).
Elm also provides good timber and can be used in vehicle making, ship building, house building, farm tool making, furniture making and other fields. Ulmus macrocarpa and Hemiptelea davidii (an elm-related species) have even better timber than U. pumila.
Achievements by the Project:
• Publication of a booklet "Notes on Elm in the Korqin Sandy Lands", with a description of the types of elm woodland, species composition and associations, structure, history, causes of destruction, actual extensions, rates of destruction, proposals for conservation, rehabilitation and management of the woodlands.
From 1998 onwards the Project has implemented a conscise evaluation of the state of the elm open woodlands in the Korqin, including a comparisson by satellite imagery of the woodland areas between 1986 and 1994. At the same time, ancient elm trees have been identified and documented, and genetic material gathered for ex situ conservation (see parragraph 5.7.5.)
The main causes for the disappearance of the elm open woodland is reconversion to agriculture and the causes for degradation are over-cutting (eliminating systematically the best trees) and over-grazing (impeding the natural generation).
It results in a way anti-productive to invest huge amounts of resources in the establishment of man-made forests and shelterbelts, and simultaneously destroy large areas of natural elm open woodland, that is providing similar products and services but in a more sustainable way.
Photo 4 Deteriorating of elm woodland grasslands in Korqin Sandy Lands
Photo 5 Branching in autumn for feeding
For more information on elm and elm open woodlands in the Korqin, please refer to the booklet compiled by the Project "Notes on Elm in the Korqin Sandy Lands".
Map 12 . Elm open woodland
Background: due to the rapid disappearance or degradation of elm and willow woodlands, the Project has initiated an Ex-situ gene-conservation bank for these species. These elm genetic resources may contribute in the future to rehabilitate the elm open woodland in the Korqin Sandy Lands.
Achievements of the Project:
• Elm gene-bank (1 ha) established at Tongyu Branch, so far with over 70 selected and recollected elm genetic resources from Korqin (including from 32 ancient elm trees), and over 10 species of elm, introduced from Henan Province, and other locations
• Willow clonal bank created
Ulmus pumila, Ulmus macrocarpa, Hempitalae davidii, Ulmus propinqua and Salix gordjevi and Salix matsudana are included.
Background: P.simonii is an important tree species in China and in the world. Natural P.simonii is, or was, found in 18 Provinces and Autonomous Regions in China, from Heilongjiang to Sichuan, and from Liaoning to Qinghai. It is also the very first tree species that was cultivated and crossed in China. In the 1950's, the yearly afforestation area with P.simonii in Northern China was 50-70 000 ha. These forests played an important role in providing shelter, sand-stabilization, water conservation and firewood.
Its resistance to drought and frost, as well as tolerance to poor sites made it soon an important species in cross-breeding. P.simonii has a high cross compatibility and propagation capacity which results in the alternation of its progenies, the diversity of its clones, and its wide distribution.
However, due to the development of new, faster growing clones, the species is now under threat. Hardly any systematic study was undertaken on the superior native trees of this species. The lack of protection of this natural resources is worrying, as experience shows that even the best performing clones have their limits, and if planted over large areas become extremely vulnerable to pests.
Starting in 1990, a systematic study on the history, distribution, development, conservation and utilization of P.simonii in North of China was launched by the Project.
Achievements by the Project:
• The natural distribution area of the species was surveyed and out-standing individuals identified
• a P.simonii gene-bank (1ha) was set up in Xinglongzhao Forest Farm, Naiman branch, Inner Mongolia (see Chapter 5.1.)
• implementation of a clonal bank and a clonal selection programme
• implementation of a intra- and inter specific cross-breeding programme based on P. simonii
• studies on growing traits, resistance, biological and genetic characteristics of P.simonii of different provenances were realised.
• Identification and recording of 42 P.simonii aged trees in Shanxi (100-350 years old)
• a comprehensive booklet was compiled by the Project "P.simonii Resources and Development" and is being published, based on the information gathered from literature and from experience, and on the results of trials and observations
Map (photo?) 13: over 350-year-old tree of P.simonii in Shanxi Province
Background: pests and diseases are a major threat to forestry production based on man-made plantations, and can cause enormous losses, as is proven by the recent onslaught on poplar and other species in Western China.
Achievements by the Project:
• Study, identification and recollection of information on the major pests of poplar, willow and elm in the Korqin
• Publication of a booklet "Major Forest Pests and Diseases Guide in China's Three-North 009 Project Region"with available information and clear photographs of the agents: 40 kinds of major pests (including Anoplophora glabripennis, Cytospora chnysosperma and Ambrostoma gradriimpression and 10 types of main diseases and their characteristics, living conditions, degree of danger, prevention and cures are explained in detail
Background: In order to easily access and process information generated by the Project, several data-bases have been created. This was also necessary in view of the high turn-over of personnel of the Project in the first phase. Once the information was introduced in the data-bases, it was accessible to all, and even if the responsible officer was transferred, the information stayed.
Achievements by the Project:
Creation and functionning of four data-bases; systematic introduction of new information in the databases:
• Test-base
• Wheatherbase
• Poplar-base
• Equip-base
The biggest database is Test-Base, operating under the Fox-Pro for Windows system. It was designed for the storage, management, search, retrieval, reproduction and processing and analysis of the masses of trial data coming from the research trials installed by the Project. It allows the storage of information on the established trials (code, title, location, design, site condition, establishment and termination dates, trial results, etc.) and the registration, year after year, of the different recorded parameters such as heigth, diameter and survival. So far, more than 370,000 groups of data of 159 trials have been stored. This data-base constitutes the backbone of the Project research. The database allows also for exportation of files to Excel for easy statistical processing. The database will be available on CD-ROM.
In Annex the manual for the use of Testbase is included.
Other databases are Equipbase, where information on the Project's equipment is stored, Wheather-base, with the records from the wheather stations, and Poplar-base, with the registration of all the poplar clones recollected by the Project.
Background: the region where the Project is operating, is characterised by harsh environmental and socio-economic conditions, causing the exodus of the more dynamic and brigther elements and making it difficult to find capable and dedicated project staff. In order to provide incentives to attract suitable people, from the beginning the Belgian government has provided the Project with generous provisions for training related activities. These have been instrumental in the formation of the professional staff of the Project and in the Region. At present, the role the Project has played in the formation of professional staff in the region is widely recognised as one of the important contributions the Project has given.
Trainig of staff has been a main component of the Project since its beginning. It has been realised through various means: in-service training groups, formal training sessions, workshops, field days and demonstrations and presentations of findings and recommendations by consultants (national and international) and is organised for Project Staf, staff of institutional partners and of related organisations. In-service training is the most important way of providing training.
Achievements by the Project:
In-service training in English language, computer use, tree breeding, pests and diseases control, forest machinery use, forest management, soil analysis, experimental design, cost determination and analysis, forest economics, land-use classification, site class classification, among others, were organised in Beijing, Sandong, Yinchuan, Tongliao and at the Project's Branches.
Fellowships have been organised both at national and international level. In the past, participants in long-term international fellowships often have been unable to put their acquiered knowledge into practice in the Project, as they have been transferred after returning. This should not be considered as a loss; very often the trainees have moved upward in the hierarchy and are occupying important decision making positions. However, at the Project level, often a vacuum was created, that not easily was filled.
From the second phase onwards, this has been being managed through the use of short-term international scholarships and long-term national scholarships, combining work in the
Project with study at University.
Achievements by the Project:
• 12 international fellowships to France, Belgium, the U.K. and the USA in mechanization, tree breeding and improvement, afforestation, nursery techniques and other technical training
• 3 local fellowships at the Beijing forestry University in Economics
A large series of local study tours have been implemented, all over Northern China. During these local study tours contacts have been established, field implementations visited, experiences exchanged, vegetative material recollected and brought back to the Project and new techniques assimilated.
International study tours are expensive, and often not all the participants are fully benefitting from the experience, due to a variety of reasons (jet-lag and tiredness, other interests away from main objectives of the study tour, language and cultural barriers, etc.). On the other hand, if participants are well chosen and motivated, the international study tour provides a powerfull tool to get new appoaches accepted and put into practice. Hence the importance of a carefull selection of the participants.
In general, national study tours are much cheaper, easier to organise, more flexible and can be equally important for opening up new possibilities. Further more, contacts established during local study tours are as valuable, an sometimes more so, than contacts established during international study tours.
The Project has implemented both kinds of studytours.
Achievements by the Project:
Over the duration of Phase 1 and 2, a total of 40 staff visited forestry and land-management related points of interest in Belgium, France, Italy, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Israel, Australia, Canada and the USA; many lasting contacts were established, international consultants identified and valuable vegetative material (seeds,cuttings, plants) and documentation taken back.
During Phase 1, a total of 17 man-months were dedicated to international study-tours, including Project Management training at the Regional FAO Office in Bangkok, and further tours oriented towards mechanisation (to France and New Zealand in 1994, with 7 participants), forest management (to Italy, France and Thailand in respectively 1991, 1992, 1993 and 1995) and tree-breeding and improvement to Belgium, France and Holland in 1996, with 7 participants.
Table 9.3.1: International Study tours carried out by Project staff during Phase 2
Countries visited (main locations) |
Dates/duration |
Number of participants |
Objectives |
Israel |
31/8-10/9 1997 |
7 |
- Dry land forestry, |
Canada(Indian Head Shelterbelt Center of PFRA, Conquest of Saskechewan, Saskatoon and Regina) |
19-30/11 1997 |
7 |
- shelterbelt program, |
Australia (South East)(School of Forestry of Melbourne University, University of Adelaide, Mallee Research Research Station, Treecorp Program). |
14-27/11 1998 |
8 |
- Shelterbelt design and establishment on grazing
land |
United States(North Dakota State University, Colorado State University Nursery, Sherilan Research & Extension Center of State University of Wyoming, Fargo, Shenyine). |
8-21/11 1999 |
8 |
- Nursery and afforestation techniques for poplar
and pines |
United States |
November 2000 |
3 |
- Participation to the 21st Meeting of the International Poplar Commission, Portland |
Canada |
15-26/12 2001 |
6 |
- Poplar breeding program undertaken by the
Shelterbelt Center of the PFRA |
Participation to conferences helps staff to reflect on the work. Important information and results are gathered that may be relevant to the Project's own work. Furthermore it offers ideal opportunities to establish contacts and to make the Project known.
During Phase 2, on average two Conferences yearly on related sublects to the Project's activities were attended by Project Staff..
In Annex is the complete list of publications by the Project. Also included is a list of articles published in Journals. Publications cover extension documents, technical documents and scientific studies.
