青春植新绿 大漠绘丹青

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the efforts of the youth sand control team in Inner Mongolia's Ulan Buh Desert, showcasing their successful initiatives in desertification control and ecological restoration, which have transformed the region into a greener landscape while ensuring food security and local livelihoods [3][5][10]. Group 1: Historical Context and Achievements - The Ulan Buh Desert has been a significant environmental challenge, contributing over 70 million tons of sediment to the Yellow River annually, threatening its stability [3]. - Since 1950, the local government has led a persistent campaign against desertification, resulting in the establishment of a 308-mile protective forest belt by 1959, which has been crucial in halting the eastward expansion of the desert [5][6]. - The youth sand control team has been recognized for their contributions, receiving the 2025 China Youth May Fourth Medal Collective award [3]. Group 2: Technological Innovations and Modern Approaches - Recent advancements include the development of cold storage techniques for seedlings, allowing for year-round planting and significantly improving survival rates [9]. - The integration of modern technologies such as drones, remote sensing, and big data analysis has shifted sand control strategies from traditional methods to more efficient, technology-driven approaches [9]. - The establishment of a new "308 Locking Edge Forest Belt" combines engineering, shrub planting, and protective measures to create a modern "green wall" against desert encroachment [9]. Group 3: Economic and Ecological Synergies - The introduction of a "photovoltaic + ecological governance" model has enabled the dual use of land for solar energy production and ecological restoration, enhancing both economic and environmental outcomes [11][12]. - The local economy has benefited from the development of various ecological industries, with over 90 enterprises engaged in desert management and related activities, generating an annual output value exceeding 1 billion yuan [12]. - The cultivation of medicinal plants and other sustainable practices has created new income opportunities for local residents, contributing to rural revitalization [12]. Group 4: Research and Development - The China Forestry Science Research Institute's Desert Forestry Experimental Center plays a vital role in assessing and optimizing desert ecosystems, focusing on the selection and breeding of drought-resistant tree species [14][15]. - The center has introduced various tree species and developed methods to enhance their survival in harsh desert conditions, contributing to the overall biodiversity and ecological health of the Ulan Buh Desert [15]. - Continuous research efforts have led to significant improvements in forest coverage, increasing from 0.04% at the founding of New China to 39.1% today, marking a substantial ecological transformation [14].