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Arid Land Geography ›› 2026, Vol. 49 ›› Issue (2): 275-286.doi: 10.12118/j.issn.1000-6060.2025.112

• Ecology and Environment • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Health grading evaluation of artificial Haloxylon ammodendron forests on the northeast edge of Ulan Buh Desert

YAN Min1,2(), WANG Jia1, ZUO Hejun1,2, GAO Junliang3, ZHANG Lihua4, XI Cheng1, CHAI Yinchao1, ZUO Tao1   

  1. 1. College of Desert Science and Engineering, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, Inner Mongolia, China
    2. Key Laboratory of Aeolian Sand Physics and Sand Control Engineering in Inner Mongolia, Hohhot 010018, Inner Mongolia, China
    3. Desert Forestry Experimental Center, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Bayannur 015200, Inner Mongolia, China
    4. Forestry and Grassland Bureau, Dengkou County, Bayannur City, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Bayannur 015200, Inner Mongolia, China
  • Received:2025-03-04 Revised:2025-04-09 Online:2026-02-25 Published:2026-02-27

Abstract:

Artificial forests of Haloxylon ammodendron are the largest windbreak and sand-fixing forests widely used in the northeast edge of the Ulan Buh Desert, China. An accurate assessment of the health status of this forest is crucial for ensuring its functioning, ecological protection, and implementing precise restoration methods. A quantitative health evaluation system based on the framework of “zoning classification grading” involving eco-surveys and a combination of weighted technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) models, was applied. The results revealed that constructing a health evaluation system based on forest and community structure, environmental conditions, and health risks as the criterion layer can ensure accurate estimations. The contribution of factors such as soil moisture content, length of newly formed branches, mortality rate, shoot withering rate, and pests and diseases to such a system is significant. These artificial forests are generally in a moderately degraded state and may progress toward severe degradation. This phenomenon is a result of a combination of factors, including abnormal soil hydration conditions, low soil organic matter content, frequent occurrence of pest infestations and diseases, and inadequate maintenance and management. These results can provide a scientific basis for the ecological protection and restoration of artificial H. ammodendron forests in the region, as well as references for health assessments and the graded restoration of deteriorated forests as a part of the “Three North” project.

Key words: Haloxylon ammodendron, health assessment, combination weighting method, TOPSIS model, northeast of Ulan Buh Desert