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Efficiency of an Artificial Fencing Method for Combating Desertification in the Northwest of China, the Case of Yanchi County of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region


Affiliations
1 College of Soil and Water Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, 35 Qinghua East Rd 10083, Haidian District, Beijing, China
2 Laboratoire de Botanique et d'Ecologie Vegetale, Universite de Lome, BP 1515, Lome, Togo
 

Artificial fencing methods used to combat land degradation have unknown influences on vegetation restoration in the North East of China, especially at Yanchi Ningxia Hui Autonomous region. To determine their efficiency, data have been collected from 2003 to 2013 in several study fields which have implemented different desertification combating methods including: artificial fencing (core, edge and external). Using biodiversity methods based on plant community structure characteristics indices (such as Shannon Wiener diversity index, Simpson dominance index and the evenness index) and the biomass, height and weight have been measured. The results showed that the main factors influencing vegetation growth are not only climatic factors, but also human activities (animal grazing and farming). In addition, the comparison with the natural grassland measurements showed that the average biomass, coverage rate, height and density values of the fencing area are 2343.58 kg/ha ,39.26 %, 16.47 × 10-2m and 106.95 × 104n/ha respectively larger than the natural grasslands which are 1722.24kg/ha, 33.58%,13.55 × 10-2m and 99.01 × 104n/ha, showing artificial fencing to be more efficient in regard to the soil crust generated that prevented the soil degradation by water and air erosion. To be efficient, the number of fencing years must be similar to the natural biological cycle of the species of the study area (5 years in Yanchi) and frequent checkups are suggested to maintain the plant community dynamic viable and profitable for human well being in order to meet their needs (animals grazing etc.) in such a way that sustainable development may be effective.

Keywords

Biodiversity, Artificial Fencing Method, Vegetation Community, Structure Index, Desertification Combating.
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  • Efficiency of an Artificial Fencing Method for Combating Desertification in the Northwest of China, the Case of Yanchi County of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region

Abstract Views: 264  |  PDF Views: 1

Authors

Kossi Fandjinou
College of Soil and Water Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, 35 Qinghua East Rd 10083, Haidian District, Beijing, China
Fousseni Folega
Laboratoire de Botanique et d'Ecologie Vegetale, Universite de Lome, BP 1515, Lome, Togo
Kperkouma Wala
Laboratoire de Botanique et d'Ecologie Vegetale, Universite de Lome, BP 1515, Lome, Togo
Komlan Batawila
Laboratoire de Botanique et d'Ecologie Vegetale, Universite de Lome, BP 1515, Lome, Togo
Koffi Akpagana
Laboratoire de Botanique et d'Ecologie Vegetale, Universite de Lome, BP 1515, Lome, Togo
Kebin Zhang
College of Soil and Water Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, 35 Qinghua East Rd 10083, Haidian District, Beijing, China

Abstract


Artificial fencing methods used to combat land degradation have unknown influences on vegetation restoration in the North East of China, especially at Yanchi Ningxia Hui Autonomous region. To determine their efficiency, data have been collected from 2003 to 2013 in several study fields which have implemented different desertification combating methods including: artificial fencing (core, edge and external). Using biodiversity methods based on plant community structure characteristics indices (such as Shannon Wiener diversity index, Simpson dominance index and the evenness index) and the biomass, height and weight have been measured. The results showed that the main factors influencing vegetation growth are not only climatic factors, but also human activities (animal grazing and farming). In addition, the comparison with the natural grassland measurements showed that the average biomass, coverage rate, height and density values of the fencing area are 2343.58 kg/ha ,39.26 %, 16.47 × 10-2m and 106.95 × 104n/ha respectively larger than the natural grasslands which are 1722.24kg/ha, 33.58%,13.55 × 10-2m and 99.01 × 104n/ha, showing artificial fencing to be more efficient in regard to the soil crust generated that prevented the soil degradation by water and air erosion. To be efficient, the number of fencing years must be similar to the natural biological cycle of the species of the study area (5 years in Yanchi) and frequent checkups are suggested to maintain the plant community dynamic viable and profitable for human well being in order to meet their needs (animals grazing etc.) in such a way that sustainable development may be effective.

Keywords


Biodiversity, Artificial Fencing Method, Vegetation Community, Structure Index, Desertification Combating.

References