Norikazu Yamanaka – författare

This book presents state-of-the-art scientific evidence and technological innovations to restore lands on the Loess Plateau of China, known worldwide for its serious land degradation and desertification problems. Supported by a rapidly developing Chinese economy and the dissemination of effective technology, the Grain-for-Green Project and Western Development Action launched by the Chinese government have resulted in successful ecological restoration and protection over the past 30 years. These programs have contributed not only to conservation of soil and water, but also to economic development. At the same time, however, these developmental interventions have brought new challenges that have not yet been fully addressed. The book describes (1) case studies of success and failure in practice, including rare success stories of combating desertification; (2) technical issues such as erosion control and breeding of stress-tolerant plant species, and socioeconomic measures taken by the Chinese government and lending policies with support from the World Bank; and (3) comprehensive measures against desertification, such as water and wind erosion, salinization, and deforestation. This volume is recommended for researchers and students above the undergraduate level in diverse fields including soil science, rural engineering, social technology and civil engineering, biology, ecology, climatology, physical and human geography, and developmental economics, among others. It also serves as a valuable resource for engineers, government officials, and NPOs and NGOs involved in afforestation, ecological restoration, combating desertification, disaster prevention, and sustainable rural development.

This book presents state-of-the-art scientific evidence and technological innovations to restore lands on the Loess Plateau of China, known worldwide for its serious land degradation and desertification problems. Supported by a rapidly developing Chinese economy and the dissemination of effective technology, the Grain-for-Green Project and Western Development Action launched by the Chinese government have resulted in successful ecological restoration and protection over the past 30 years. These programs have contributed not only to conservation of soil and water, but also to economic development. At the same time, however, these developmental interventions have brought new challenges that have not yet been fully addressed. The book describes (1) case studies of success and failure in practice, including rare success stories of combating desertification; (2) technical issues such as erosion control and breeding of stress-tolerant plant species, and socioeconomic measures taken by the Chinese government and lending policies with support from the World Bank; and (3) comprehensive measures against desertification, such as water and wind erosion, salinization, and deforestation. This volume is recommended for researchers and students above the undergraduate level in diverse fields including soil science, rural engineering, social technology and civil engineering, biology, ecology, climatology, physical and human geography, and developmental economics, among others. It also serves as a valuable resource for engineers, government officials, and NPOs and NGOs involved in afforestation, ecological restoration, combating desertification, disaster prevention, and sustainable rural development.

This book highlights the life history strategies of natural vegetation in sand-shifting environments, focusing on the physiological and ecological characteristics of trees that support these strategies. It highlights the environmental conservation functions of arid land vegetation, offering new perspectives for developing technologies to combat desertification. By examining the characteristics of native tree species in terms of desertification control, adaptation to sand-shifting environments, and drought stress tolerance, the book offers valuable insights into vegetation restoration in arid and devastated areas. Readers will gain new perspectives on developing technologies for vegetation restoration not only in arid lands but also in various devastated areas. The chapters cover the mechanisms plants use to cope with drought and strong light stress, the impact of shrub coverage on environmental conditions, and the life history strategies of key species like Juniperus sabina. The book also addresses the global impact of desertification and presents innovative control measures, drawing on over three decades of research in the Mu Us Sandy Land. This extensive fieldwork provides a new perspective on developing countermeasure technologies suited to local environments based on native vegetation characteristics.Written for researchers, students, and professionals in ecology, afforestation, plant ecophysiology, and desertification control, this book offers a unique presentation of trees' adaptation strategies to sand-shifting environments in arid lands. Readers will discover the sophisticated resistance strategies of arid-land vegetation and the diverse survival tactics of its component tree species. This work is particularly relevant for those involved in ecosystem restoration and conservation, NGOs, and NPOs, providing a comprehensive overview of the resilience and adaptability of dryland ecosystems.The English translation of this book, originally in Japanese, was facilitated by artificial intelligence. The content was later revised by the author for accuracy.