Afforestation when creating reservoirs

The dry and hard surface of the desert does not absorb rainwater. Therefore, when it rains in the desert, most of the water simply runs off, unable to soak the soil and provide long-term support to the plants.

The main task of landscape preparation during afforestation in deserts and semi-deserts is to retain water on the soil surface. So that the soil can cool the earth and slowly moisten. It is very important to nourish the body of the earth with moisture, since it is the soil that is the best reservoir for storing water in the desert.

Swale devicing

In areas with well-maintained water landscapes, native plants can take root and form a denser vegetation cover without additional effort. This can be seen in those places where moisture is retained better, due to the relief. Where water lingers, vegetation itself takes its place.

However, the photo below clearly shows how the turbulent streams of water prevent the strengthening of the trees that have appeared, even in the wettest places of the channel. Where water lingers in the riverbed, the trees become stronger and form the basis for shading the soil and retaining the remaining moisture in the waterways and soil.

Drying river section

Places where water quickly drains, and its remains quickly dry out in direct sunlight, due to the lack of trees, again remain deserted and arid. It is very important to create conditions for such places that slow down the flow of water. Artificial waterscapes and additional trees, shrubs and grasses will reduce the severity of floods by trapping and soaking water into the soil. When artificial waterscapes hold water in the soil, it will be possible to create forest plantations in a much larger area around small and temporary reservoirs.

In the permaculture of Jeff Lotton and Zep Holzer, there are excellent examples of the construction of a system of ponds and swales, which effectively saturate the body of earth with moisture. World experience in permaculture will be very useful for growing forests in deserted and degraded landscapes.