This book highlights the life history strategies of natural vegetation in sand-shifting environments, focusing on the physiological and ecological characteristics of trees that support these strategies. It highlights the environmental conservation functions of arid land vegetation, offering new perspectives for developing technologies to combat desertification. By examining the characteristics of native tree species in terms of desertification control, adaptation to sand-shifting environments, and drought stress tolerance, the book offers valuable insights into vegetation restoration in arid and devastated areas. Readers will gain new perspectives on developing technologies for vegetation restoration not only in arid lands but also in various devastated areas. The chapters cover the mechanisms plants use to cope with drought and strong light stress, the impact of shrub coverage on environmental conditions, and the life history strategies of key species like Juniperus sabina. The book also addresses the global impact of desertification and presents innovative control measures, drawing on over three decades of research in the Mu Us Sandy Land. This extensive fieldwork provides a new perspective on developing countermeasure technologies suited to local environments based on native vegetation characteristics. Written for researchers, students, and professionals in ecology, afforestation, plant ecophysiology, and desertification control, this book offers a unique presentation of trees' adaptation strategies to sand-shifting environments in arid lands. Readers will discover the sophisticated resistance strategies of arid-land vegetation and the diverse survival tactics of its component tree species. This work is particularly relevant for those involved in ecosystem restoration and conservation, NGOs, and NPOs, providing a comprehensive overview of the resilience and adaptability of dryland ecosystems.

Thermophilic bacterial leachng is a promising alternative for heap leaching of primary copper sulphides. However, in order to achieve and retain the temperatures required for thermophillic bacterial activity, exothermic oxidation of pyrite in the ore is the preferred method. [partial abstract].

Part I of this series described the results of a study of the electrochemistry of pyrite under conditions similar to those encountered in acidic bioleaching of the mineral. In this paper, the electrochemical data obtained in the previous paper is used to derive estimates of the rate of leaching of pyrite based on a mixed potential model for the kinetics as a function of the solution composition temperature. [partial abstract].