Environment: Earth's Creeping Deserts

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There are still many gaps in scientific understanding of the complex desert ecology. But there has been no shortage of ideas for saving productive land. Using its oil wealth to good advantage, Saudi Arabia has planted some 10 million tamarisk, acacia and eucalyptus trees to help keep the dunes from overwhelming its al-Hasa oasis near Hofuf. Taking a cue from the cattle drives of the old American West, seven Sahel nations are involved in a scheme, dubbed Solar, that would allow nomads to continue to raise cattle on marginal Sahelian rangeland. But when it comes time for fattening before marketing, the time when the cattle make their greatest inroads on pastureland vegetation, they will be marched to the wetter and hardier lands in the south.

Another idea, already acted on by Algeria, would create pockets of trees, shrubs and other barriers against the Sahara in a so-called green belt across the breadth of North Africa from Morocco to Egypt. The Sahel nations are talking of a similar desert project in the south.

The Israelis not only have restored some of the water collection systems left by the ancient Nabateans in the Negev desert, but are letting the runoff nourish flourishing orchards of almond and pistachio trees. Another strategy for making the Negev bloom: drip irrigation systems that feed small amounts of water directly to the roots of plants with the help of computer monitors.

Though the U.N. conference featured an Arab-led walkout during the Israeli delegate's Negev report and other outbursts of rudeness and rancor, the Nairobi proceedings made some encouraging progress. Scientists presented many carefully prepared technical analyses of desertification and ways to combat it. The U.S. pitched in with an offer to train a cadre of 1,000 Peace Corps volunteers for antidesertification work. Before the delegates disband this week, they are expected to adopt a 15-point plan that calls for a worldwide effort against the deserts' encroachment with everything from the planting of new vegetation to the settlement of nomads to control grazing.

Some scientists feared that the document placed too much faith in technological—rather than "human"—solutions, but the plea nonetheless represents a milestone. For the first time, the international community is committing itself to the fight against the growth of deserts. While the document leaves action up to individual countries, the incentive to collaborate—perhaps even with old enemies—is great. To many countries, doing battle against the deserts is the only alternative to poverty, starvation and chaos.