Research Project on Large Scale Afforestation of Arid Land for Carbon Fixation near Leonora in Western Australia

摘要

Systematic approach to the arid land afforestation as a countermeasure to the CO2 problem was attempted. Experimental sites were constructed at Leonora, in arid area of Western Australia, where characterized by limited rainfall ( 200–300 mm/y ) and limited soil depth. Water impermeable layer, called hardpan, under thin soil layer were blasted with explosive and bank structures were constructed to catch surface run-off water. Most trees were grown in the arid condition, and analysis of carbon balance showed that the amount of CO2 fixed is 66 times larger than that resulted from plantation operations.