Desert reclaimation

[Thunderbird+]

Have any attempts to reclaim vast areas of desert and turn it into forest been successful ?

[Clanad]

Vast areas? I don't think so, however there have been some notable, local successes in surprising areas. The Karhtoum Province of the Sudan is the subject of this excerpt:
Research work in Khartoum Province was concentrated on soil moisture conservation for plant growth in the arid climate of northern Sudan. This work was carried out between 1969 and 1971. It involved protection of vegetation from animals and soil-working to improve the water relations of the soil profile. The method proved also very successful for annual grasses and herbs. The tree species used were Tamarix aphylla and Prosopis chilensis. These were introduced into the area together with the locally available Acacia tortilis.

While the Acacia plantation does not a forest make, it is a beginning of a frustrating endeavor. (Source: M.A. el-Rasheed Department of Forestry, University of Khartoum)

(Here's the URL for the full report:

http://www.unu.edu/unupress/unupbooks/80044e/80044E06.htm

[WendyS]

Sadly I doubt it. I was watching a TV programme last night about "Going Green" and global warming, and it was quite terrifying to see how many more areas are turning to desert as rivers & lakes dry up from global warming. Also frightening was how rapidly the rainforests of South America are being torn down to grow soya for cattle feed when the animals pass so much wind that this destroys the ozone layer ever further. I find it immensely depressing how quickly this is happening and even if we all do our little bit to "Go Green" what a gnat's p**s in the ocean it represents when one considers what the effect of commercial development of emerging nations like China & India will do to the ozone layer. I gifted my husband an acre of rainforest in Equador through the World Land Trust charity last Christmas and am beginning to wonder if soon it will be the only acre of rainforest remaining !

[Thunderbird+]

Two interesting responses so far... thanks

[johnlambert]

In 1946 Israel was almost all desert, they have reclaimed large areas and are farming them now, I was there last year on holiday and was well impressed by the olive groves, lemon and orange plantations,

[heathfield]

Ethiopia, too, has had a huge re-forestation program. The results have been pretty abysmal, with only 5% to 20% of plantings surviving. Of the plants that do survive, the threat is from locals who are desperate for fuel for cooking. Having used up all the shrubs and grasses, and with the extortionate prices demanded by wood sellers, local people are taking to stealing the immature trees. There are attempts being made to introduce the idea of solar mirror cooking as an alternative. But there's a bit of a problem. People in the affected areas are so poor that they probably can't even afford to buy a piece of aluminium foil.