The concepts of “desert,” “desert zone,” and “desert region” have not yet been defined with sufficient precision. Nevertheless, most scientists agree that deserts are not lifeless areas. They are inhabited by a great diversity of organisms, including not only lower forms of life but also higher plants, reptiles, and large mammals. Human beings also live and actively carry out economic activities in deserts. Deserts are generally classified into northern deserts, southern deserts, and high-mountain deserts. This book deals with afforestation in southern deserts. These deserts are characterized by large fluctuations in air and surface temperatures, low precipitation (less than 300 mm annually), low relative humidity, and the highest levels of heat and solar radiation. Forests are also found in deserts, although they are highly distinctive: sparse, low-growing, and providing little shade. The principal forest-forming species are white saxaul (Haloxylon persicum) and black saxaul (Haloxylon aphyllum). For example, in the deserts of Uzbekistan, white saxaul forests cover 1.274 million hectares, while black saxaul forests occupy 369,600 hectares. White saxaul forests are particularly extensive in Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan. The assimilating shoots of white saxaul contain up to 20.3% crude protein, 14.1% digestible protein, 2.6% fat, and as much as 60.8% cellulose. The productivity of desert saxaul stands is relatively low, amounting to only 20 to 50 cubic meters of biomass per hectare. In floodplain (tugai) forests, the average standing timber volume is only 32 cubic meters per forested hectare, with an annual increment of 2 cubic meters. Other desert plants, such as Calligonum, Salsola, Halocnemum, tamarisk, and others, exhibit even lower productivity. Such low productivity is determined primarily by the harsh growing conditions: poor soils, often saline, shifting sands, and very limited precipitation ranging from 80 to 200 mm annually. The stock of edible vegetation on desert pastures is likewise low, accumulating only 2 to 4 centners of dry matter per hectare. However, through forestry improvement measures, the productivity of desert pastures can be substantially increased. These pastures become multi-layered, produce greater amounts of forage, and, most importantly, become suitable for year-round use. Desert pastures improved through the planting of shrubs and semi-shrubs and protected by belts of trees or tree-like shrubs can be effectively utilized by livestock even during winter. Grazing within a system of shelterbelts is also easier to organize and manage. Livestock kept under the protection of forest belts and green “umbrellas” exhibit higher survival rates and greater productivity. The book draws upon research results obtained by the All-Union Research Institute of Agroforestry Reclamation, the Central Asian Forestry Research Institute, and the Desert Research Institute of the Academy of Sciences of Turkmenistan, as well as published materials from many other institutions, including the All-Union Karakul Sheep Research Institute, the Kazakhstan Forestry Research Institute, the Forestry Laboratory of the Academy of Sciences of the USSR, and the Institute of Botany of the Academy of Sciences of Uzbekistan. During the preparation of the book, the author received valuable assistance and advice from Academician B. B. Vinogradov of the Lenin All-Union Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Corresponding Member A. B. Albinsky of the same academy, Doctors of Agricultural Sciences N. F. Kulik, F. M. Kasiyanov, and Z. Sh. Shamsutdinov, Doctor of Biological Sciences L. E. Rogin, Academician N. T. Nechaeva of the Academy of Sciences of Turkmenistan, and many other colleagues, to whom the author expresses sincere gratitude. The Preface, Chapter 2, Section 8 of Chapter 4, the bibliography, and the indexes of Russian and Latin plant names appearing in the book were prepared by Doctor of Biological Sciences G. P. Ozolin. Chapter 1 was written by Doctor of Geographical Sciences A. G. Babayev and Candidate of Geographical Sciences N. S. Orlovsky; Chapter 3 by Candidates of Agricultural Sciences N. E. Koksharova, V. V. Chukhina, and V. M. Sakhatsky; Chapter 4 (except Section 8) by Forestry Engineer M. Ya. Parfenov; and Chapter 5 by Doctor of Agricultural Sciences A. I. Molchanova.