铁轨穿沙而过，这里藏着一群“向沙漠要绿洲”的人

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the significant achievements and ongoing research efforts at the Shapotou Station, a key site for desertification control and ecological restoration in China, showcasing its evolution from a basic research station to a renowned ecological research base [1][12]. Group 1: Historical Development - The Shapotou Station was established in 1955 to address severe sand damage during the construction of the Baolan Railway, marking the beginning of systematic desertification research in China [2][3]. - Initially, researchers lived in a simple earthen house in a nearby village, focusing on the feasibility of using plants for sand fixation along the railway [2][3]. - By 1960, the Chinese Academy of Sciences decided to enhance the station's infrastructure, leading to the construction of brick buildings and the establishment of laboratories by 1964 [3][4]. Group 2: Research and Technological Advancements - The Shapotou Station has developed a comprehensive monitoring system, the Shapotou Evapotranspiration Instrument Group, which is the largest of its kind in northern China, facilitating advanced data collection on water balance in desert ecosystems [7][9]. - The station has accumulated extensive data on water, soil, meteorology, and biology, making it a valuable resource for researchers and local management authorities [9][10]. Group 3: Ecological Restoration Efforts - The station has successfully transformed 1.5 million acres of the Tengger Desert from "sand encroachment" to "green recovery" through targeted afforestation and ecological engineering techniques [9][12]. - Innovative methods such as the "grass grid" technique and the integration of various plant species have been employed to create effective ecological barriers along the railway [11][12]. Group 4: Education and Training - The Shapotou Station serves as a popular educational base, receiving over 5,000 visitors annually, primarily students, to learn about desertification control techniques [12]. - It has conducted over 30 training sessions on desertification prevention, educating more than 1,000 technical personnel on cutting-edge sand control methods [12]. Group 5: Future Directions - The station is pursuing the "Shapotou Model 2.0," which combines woven sand barriers with artificial crusts to enhance sand fixation, aiming for more efficient desertification control [13]. - Future research will focus on sustainable development in arid ecosystems, ecological restoration, biodiversity conservation, and green industry development [13].