[Objective] The effects of ecological engineering construction and afforestation at the initial stage in arid and semi-arid regions was evaluated quantitatively

in order to provide practical guidance for screening out more suitable afforestation treatment technical measures in this region.[Methods] In a Pinus sylvestnis var. mongolica plantation

five treatments were implemented:film mulching and watering (FW)

film mulching but no watering (F)

watering but no film mulching (W)

pruning (P)

and check (CK

no watering

no mulching

no pruning). Three evaluation indicators (survival rate

average annual growth

and afforestation cost at the initial stage) were measured

compared

and evaluated by using the membership function value method in fuzzy mathematics.[Results] Survival rate of the five treatments followed the order of FW(96%)>F(95%)>P(92.3%)>W(91.3%)>CK(89.3%). Preservation rate followed the order of FW(94.6%)>F(94%)>W(87.3%)>CK(80%)>P(77%). Average annual growth followed the order of FW(14.6 cm)>F(13.5 cm)>W(11.5 cm)>P(10.6 cm)>CK(9.7 cm). Afforestation cost followed the order of FW (14 037.5 yuan/hm2)>F(11 712.5 yuan/hm2)>W(10 450 yuan/hm2)>P(8 750 yuan/hm2)>CK(8 125 yuan/hm2).[Conclusion] Differences in the initial effect were obvious between the five afforestation treatments according to the comprehensive evaluation

and the overall order was F(0.674 4)>FW(0.666 7)>P(0.508 1)>W(0.425 6)>CK(0.333 3). Therefore

the technology of film mulching and no watering (F) provided the best overall effect and had the greatest potential for promotion and application.