Preparation and requirements
Startpage Forward Preparation One Cell Cell formation Epilogue	Not without water Life on earth is unimaginable without water. Likewise, another source other than the sun as energy supplier is impossible. This fact limits the radius of the area which is recoverable to those parts of semi-arid land under which ground water is available. The Picture 1, shows Nigerian children from the inner delta, who have dug a well, as children are the only ones who can pass through the tunnel, which has been completed here to the level of 6 metres. Places such as this are ideal for the establishment of greenery.
	Picture 1
	This picture has been taken from the front page of the book "WüsteErde" published 1991 by Focus-Verlages (Germany) from the collection ökuzid 7. With kind permission of the publisher Focus Verlag.
	The requirements for the realisation of the project are:
	A) The groundsubstance The ground must have such a consistancy that at a depth of about 10 metres a measure of dampness is apparent due to the existance of ground water below. There should be no large bodies of stone of up to a depth of 50 metres under the desert surface. There must be no large deposits of salt in the ground making the growth of plants impossible. The ground must be suitable for the growth of palms and lower plants. The movements on the surface must not be greater than 50cms per year. The above requirements must extend to an area of 100 sq km or greater.
	B) Plant types Important is to have an area which is in one piece and not seperate. Three plant types are to be considered: Tall trees with large leaves. (palms) The plants should grow quickly and reach a mature height of 8 to 10 metres. They should give quick shadow and tolerate high temperatures. The second plant type is bush or schrublike. It should grow well in barren ground and spread quickly. Low growing plants which spread quickly and wilt slowly as in humus that its own plant parts have the best conditions for further growth. Plants are first nurtured in another location. The plants which grow high should reach a height of 150 cm in the first year before they are brought on location. An investigation should be made as to the apporpriateness of Halophyte plants in the area in the event that salt concentration in the groundwater should rise.
	C) Infrastructure There must be an infrastructure via which heavy machines, can be transported to the selected region. On top of that, access routes for personel and service are needed.
	D) Sozio/political requirements The idea of recultivating lost land must not take precedence over the local population's needs nor cause local discontent. There must be a cooperative relationship with the local government body and also with the local population. Machines, equipment and personal should where possible, be acquired locally. Hence it is necessary to check in advance if: Co-operation Communication Support from government Support from local population is possible.
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