Chapter  3: The economics and psychology of desertification

Risk taking for profit or survival often leads to desertification. These economic drivers must be addressed for long term success. Intervention is essential for desert restoration because favorable conditions for seed germination and early survival in many species may only occur once in 5-10 years. Establishment and long-term survival are often much more rare. Desert areas disturbed by human activities may take centuries to recover without active intervention to offset the adverse impacts. Plant recovery usually requires planting activities and irrigation as well as site improvement and seeding. Transplanting is increasingly used to provide nurse and seed plants for disturbed areas. The dominant shrubs and trees of the low desert are relatively easy to grow in a nursery or maintained landscape setting and are well adapted to transplanting with after-care.

One of the key lessons of the research that has been conducted is the critical importance of minimizing disturbance.