Xinjiang diverts floodwater to revive forests impacted by drought
Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region plans to divert 510 million cubic meters of floodwater this year to replenish the water supply of the populus euphratica forests in the Tarim River Basin.
Last year, Xinjiang replenished this water supply by more than 1.1 billion cubic meters, which was 197 percent of its planned replenishment. According to the Chinese Academy of Sciences' Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, an approximate total forest area of 2.72 million mu (about 181,333 hectares) was irrigated via flood diversion activities, and vegetation coverage in the irrigated forest area increased 4.3 percent year on year.
The populus euphratica forests along the Tarim River, China's longest inland river, cover more than 10 million mu and make up the plant species' largest natural forest area, creating an important ecological barrier in southern Xinjiang.
Though the species is highly tolerant to drought, swathes of populus euphratica trees have died since the 1950s due to the overexploitation of water resources along the Tarim River, leading to a decline in water levels.
In 2019, Xinjiang launched a restoration project to revive the dying forests and enhance their natural restoration capabilities through flood diversion work.
Related articles
Mystery artist who erected signs comparing pothole
A defiant resident infuriated by the potholes in their road has taken revenge on the council by erec2024-05-21Japan's Kishida will stress rules
TOKYO (AP) — Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said Wednesday that he will stress the need for a2024-05-21Watch where you're going! Heart
This is the shocking moment a motorist narrowly avoids a head-on crash after driving the wrong way d2024-05-21Accused teen linked to Sydney bishop's stabbing applies for release from custody
SYDNEY (AP) — A 15-year-old boy who claimed to be a friend of a teen accused of stabbing a Sydney bi2024-05-21Mohammad Mokhber: Who is Iran’s acting president?
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran’s first Vice President Mohammad Mokhber was appointed as act2024-05-21Zalatoris withdraws from Byron Nelson needing rest for his back
McKINNEY, Texas (AP) — Will Zalatoris has withdrawn from the CJ Cup Byron Nelson citing a flare-up i2024-05-21
atest comment