Achievement 1: Researcher：Yuanrun Zheng，Professor，No. 20 Xiangshan Nanxin Cun, Beijing, P. R. China, Ecological Department of Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, post code: 100093. E-mail: zhengyuanrun@hotmail.com, Tel: 86-10-62591431-6467 Project：Research and demonstration on technologies for combating desertification in Ejin Horo, Mu Us sandy land Type of project：National level Project leader：Yuanrun Zheng，Professor，No. 20 Xiangshan Nanxin Cun, Beijing, P. R. China, Ecological Department of Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, post code: 100093. E-mail: zhengyuanrun@hotmail.com, Tel: 86-10-62591431-6467 Participants：Xuejun Dong、Zhongxin Chen、Baozhen Yang Responsible institution：Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences Duration：Jan. 1996-Dec. 2000 Research objective： Based on long-term site-specific and regional researches on plant ecophysiology, biodiversity of shrub, and sandy land ecosystem and landscape in Mu Us sandy land, we considered sustainable ecological principle, theory of human and nature harmonization, emphasized on unification of desertification combating and local soc-economy development, then optimized ecological pattern for desertification combating in Mu Us sandy land has been established. It set a successful sample for desertification combating in wide arid and semiarid area. Major topics (1) Researches on plant ecophysiology and rapid reproduction by tissue culture, then try to build shrub garden in sandy land (2) Characteristics and models for water balance in various landscape in desertified area (3) Proposing approaches for developing shrub garden supported by runoff and conducting demonstration and experiment (4) Introducing crop, forage and economic crop species in Mu Us sandy land (5) Development of agriculture and livestock husbandry coupled ecosystem using water-saving technology including sprinkling and dripping irrigation (6) Building a “3-circle” comprehensive economic development pattern and expert system for desertification combating in Mu Us sandy land Achievements:“3-circle” demonstration pattern for desertification combating in Mu Us sandy land The key technologies include: four principles that should be followed in desertification combating (water balance, semi fixation for sand dune, biodiversity and shrub dominance, on base of specific landscape), and “3-circle” pattern: ‘core circle of oasis with high yield in low land’, ‘semi managed grassland in soft hill and shrub, grass and fruit shrub garden in low sand dune’ and ‘shrub and grass land for low intensity grazing with role for protecting whole ecosystem in hard hill and high dune, semi-fixed dune, drifting dune’. The proportion for 3 circle is 1:3:6. 3 components of “3-circle” ecosystem support each other, and formed sustainable optimized eco-production system for desertification combating in Ordos plateau. Based on such system, crop, forage and fruit tree species with high yield and quality were introduced, water saving irrigation was widely used and runoff collection and water conservation technology was extended, then expert and managing system that incorporated all useful technologies was developed for “3-circle” pattern, and finally it can be used to guide desertification combating in local area. Accompanied with carrying up play of resources exploitation in west China, this technology which incorporated economic and ecological interest will be extended widely in northwest of China, it is more important that idea of conservation and development according to different conditions in different landscapes could be potentially used in arid and semiarid area in China. Key words: Mu Us sandy land，desertification, technologies, “3-circle” pattern Total Funding: 0.8 million Yuan RMB Awards: The achievement of “‘3-circle’ demonstration pattern for desertification combating in Mu Us sandy land” has been acknowledged by National Bureau of Forestry in 2000. Yuanrun Zheng, who was responsible for this project was be awarded a “excellent researcher in 9th five play in China” by National Ministry of Sciences and technologies”.