关键词: 草原学, 草地沙漠化, 植被恢复, 植被重建, 演替

Abstract: Based on the analysis of the quandary of grassland desertification in and outside of the country, authors of the paper have studied, from 1985 on, tracts of natural restored and cultivated desertified grassland in northern China. We learned that natural restoration of desertified grassland develops in three successive stages of first growing sand plants and annual plant communities, followed by the growth of rhizomous grasses and herb communities, and then bunchgrass communities. Eventually, on the restored grassland, zonal vegetation types grow, the grassland’s species component, vegetation cover, and grass yield tend to expand, and its soil organic matter increases, and the surface soil structure is improved. Cultivating the desertified grassland is an efficient way to restore the degenerated land. By sowing and planting drought-resistant and sand-and-wind tolerant grass seeds and saplings, large tracts of vegetation covering land can be restored. Moreover, quality forage grass is produced. Cultivation of desertified grassland provides an assured way for the restoration of the devastated grassland.

Key words: Grassland science, Grassland desertification, Restoration of vegetation, Rebuilding, Succession