Pearl River Delta/ Heshan Hilly Land/Methods of Rehabilitation

Land rehabilitation is mainly by means of "forest-fruit-grass-fish" agroforestry ecosystems. In each ecosystem, physical parameters are collected from various points to ensure that the system is working properly. These agroforestry ecosystem not only rehabilitate the derelict land, but also generate significant income for farmers.

From 1989 onwards, eight water collection zones (area of 143 km²) were identified in the Heshan Station as long-term testing and monitoring research stations. The eight water collection zones are listed as follows:

Type I Agroforestry Ecosystem Testing Zone
I1 Forest, fruit and seedling water collection zone
I2 Forest, fruit, grass and fish (pond) water collection zone

Type II Artificial Forest Ecosystem Testing Zone
II3 Leguminous plant based broad-leafed mixed forest water collection zone
II4 Village tree species based broad-leafed mixed forest water collection zone
II5 Eucalyptus based mixed forest water collection zone
II6 Needle-leafed (Pinus based) mixed forest water collection zone
II7 Needle- and broad-leafed mixed forest water collection zone
II8 Mixed grasslands water collection zone

The following research are being conducted:

A. The introduction of plant species and coordination of communities study
Various ecological environments and forest structure models were constructed in the water collection zone. The growth of artificial ecosystems and their changes were monitored and compared. This helps to develop the high quality tree species and artificial forest ecosystems.

B. Hydrological study
By selecting the representative forest types, such as broad-leafed mixed forest, needle-leafed mixed forest, needle- and broad-leafed mixed forest, the water quality and quantity are carefully monitored. The information obtained will be useful in ecological research.

C. Soil organic accumulation and balance study
This research involves the study of biomass flows of some selected forest types, such as leguminous-based mixed forest, Eucalyptus based mixed forest, and Pinus based mixed forest.

D. Atmospheric gas development, transportation and conversion study
The work began with the monitoring of the ecological properties of artificial forest community species. The conversion and transportation of materials between different interfaces of forest, soil, and atmosphere are studied.