desertification reversal

 Reversing Arid Zones 

With increasing scientific knowledge we now have an understanding of how we can reverse desertification. Let’s examine just a few of these scientific fields before we show you some ways that deserts are being reversed back into green, lush regions. Some of these scientific fields involved are: Permaculture Design, which considers the whole system through intricate investigation and planning, using what is on site and disposing of next-to-nothing. Maritime Effect in nature - where the moisture released by plants increases the amount of rainfall and dew production within the microsystem. Orographic Lift shows us how and where dew forms in specific areas on mountains due to air currents. The Dendrinic Pattern, which involves the natural pattern that water takes as it flows downhill on the surface of land. Soil building techniques, interplanting and agroforestry methods are also used. Using these, and a few other techniques discussed below, we can indeed turn arid and desert areas into lush, green zones within just a few decades.

It would start with an examination of the entire area, from moisture and seasonal extremes, sun exposure, soil composition, and local resources. After the intense evaluation, terrestrial shaping is the first consideration because it is so vital to capture any water source, holding it and directing it near the plantings, and also capturing excess water in underground aquifers. It is a myth that deserts don’t get rain, in fact they do and sometimes so intense that there is flooding, but this happens so infrequently that the area cannot support much life. Terrestrial shaping involve things like tiers, trenches and ditches. The first planting beds would be formed, first by burying rotting logs, twigs, grass and straw and then topping it with soil… the rotting organic matter continually produces nutrients and healthy soil while it breaks down - all the while acting like a sponge, soaking up rain water and holding at the plant’s roots.

At first the plantings would be sparse, and may not in fact be local native plants. The point is to get something growing that can take those conditions. Initially the plantings would need to be watered by the aquifer’s reserves via drip line. Once the first plantings are established, the number and variety of plants could be increased until the area is thick with growth. At this point the moisture in the air has increased, it is cooler, and the plants have begun the process of building healthy soil through the build up of leaves and roots. They will produce shade for each other and offer a natural windbreak for the microsystem. They will also begin reseeding themselves; carried by winds these seeds will gently, slowly expand the greenery. Once the ground covers, understory grasses and small shrubs have established, it is time to add trees, beginning with the most hardy varieties available for that specific microsystem, even if they are not native. A few years later, the trees will have reached a height that it is then safe to begin carefully planned grazing. Livestock keeps overgrowth, fire and plant disease issues at bay, while leaving a little fertilizer for the plants. Local farmers are excited to be hired to do this since by grazing in such a lush place the livestock is well fed. By involving the locals and sharing the benefits of the newly established greenery, they become stewards of it too.

Reversing the desert like this would mean that we’d have thousands of these little spots inside protected valleys that eventually become converted into thick islands of greenery. The area is affected by increased moisture while the plants go about producing seeds that are spread out by wildlife, livestock and the wind… naturally increasing the green space. Scientific teams have done experiments in many challenging places around the world to prove that this process works. It is a slow, intensive process – but it works!

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