The publication of this Handbook was supported by the Russian Federation

Carbon sequestration. The creation of  forest plantations on marginal lands serves to both 
combat land degradation and aid carbon sequestration in soil. Research results obtained in 
Khorezm showed that soil organic carbon reserves grew on average by 20% over the period of  5 
years following afforestation, with carbon sequestration rates of  2-7 t/ha within the upper 20 cm 
thick soil layer. The wood biomass of  the studied species was characterized by carbon sequestration 
of  10-20 t/ha in the fifth year following afforestation, excluding some wood harvested for fuel. 
Russian olive demonstrated the most efficient carbon sequestration within wood biomass. If  such 
sequestration rates could be certified within the framework of  the Clean Development Mechanism 
(CDM) under an agricultural amelioration project, then respective subsidies could support the 
alternative use of  degraded lands for agroforestry.
Benefits of  growing trees: firewood. Firewood was harvested as a result of  thinning the 5-year-old 
tree plantation to half  its density down to 2300 trees/ha. Firewood of  the studied tree species had a 
calorific value of  18-19 kJ/kg or the energy oil equivalent of  8-19 t/ha. Such an amount of  energy 
can cover the annual needs of  55-90 people
Cotton plant stems that are widely used by the rural populations have 4 times lower energy value 
[15, 18, 22]. Artificial forest plantations on degraded lands as a firewood source can also help to 
reduce the illegal cutting of  native willow and poplar thickets and saxaul forests.
Research into the restoration of  ecosystem services and the economic value of  degraded lands 
suggests that their use in agroforestry is ecologically beneficial and financially profitable. However, 

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Chapter 5.Innovative methods and technologies for amelioration of salt-affected soils and agroforestry practices in marginal landscapes 
this innovation cannot yet be widely implemented because of  a lack of  administrative and legislative 
support. Financial obstacles could be overcome by the use of  subsidies and loans. Potential annual 
profits from non-wood products of  agroforestry can support rural households, but would need to 
be commercialized. The agricultural education service, which deals with the popularization of  
environmental sciences and management techniques, could provide help in encouraging farmers 
to plant recommended tree species.
The diversity and scale of  positive outcomes from afforestation demonstrated within the framework 
of   the  ZEF/UNESCO  Project  can  help  to  increase  the  awareness  of   financial  and  ecological 
advantages of  agroforestry practices on degraded arable lands.

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Soil salinity manаgement manual | Part I.Soil salinity management in the Eurasian Region