转自：中国科学报 宁夏中卫，距离市区15公里处，沙山连绵起伏，绿洲点缀其间，一条蜿蜒的铁轨穿沙而过。这便是见证 了中国治沙奇迹的包兰铁路。 在铁路南侧有一座安静的院落，这里是中国科学院西北生态环境资源研究院宁夏沙坡头沙漠生态系统国 家野外科学观测研究站（以下简称沙坡头站）。 "这里为何有一个科研站？它与旁边的铁路有关吗？"初见此景的人常心生疑问。今年10月，《中国科学 报》记者走进这座历经70年风雪的野外台站，随着采访的深入，沙海中的历史故事也逐渐清晰丰满。 从民房到台站：在沙山里拓荒 走进沙坡头站，最先看到的是一栋两层的小楼，沙坡头站站长张志山就住在楼里。他的房间有里外两 间，外间是办公室，里间是他的卧室，家具不多，甚至略显简陋。每次有来访者感叹站上生活条件有限 时，他总会笑着说："这可是20世纪70年代末给外国专家盖的'洋楼'。" 谈起沙坡头站的建站历史，张志山总会从1955年说起：那时，还没有沙坡头站，寸草不生的沙山上也没 有景区、游客和娱乐设施。 1955年，中国第一条沙漠铁路——包兰铁路正在建设中。建设团队发现，频繁、强烈、多变的沙害，让 铁路随时会被风沙掩埋。为此，铁道科学研究院、铁道部西北设计分 ...

转自：中国科学报 天刚蒙蒙亮，试验田那边已传来咚咚声，几名研究人员正在搅拌车前拿着铁锹干活。这片地面积约50 亩，地表铺着一张张六边形的模具，他们正在模具上面铺一层"泥土"，做成特殊的土块。 这是中国科学院西北生态环境资源研究院宁夏沙坡头沙漠生态系统国家野外科学观测研究站（以下简称 沙坡头站）新研发的技术成果——人工生物土壤结皮的"种子"。研究人员将7种不同的荒漠蓝藻，与基 质搅拌成为新的复合材料。 "这是一项新的技术，将这些土块撒在沙漠上，遇到降水就能生长出结皮。"沙坡头站副站长赵洋解释 道。 15年前，这位从药用植物专业毕业的青年或许未曾想到，自己会与沙漠中的"蓝精灵"——蓝藻结下如此 深厚的缘分。从实验室到荒漠，从液态喷洒到固态接种体，科研团队在人工结皮技术上取得了突破性进 展，让沙漠固沙从"百年之功"缩短至"三年可期"。 初遇："根本活不下去" "沙漠里有一种蓝藻，能自己'长'出土壤，你要不要试试？" 2010年的夏天，赵洋站在沙坡头站的门口。这位药用植物学硕士生，原本计划研究沙漠中的沙生药用植 物，却因导师李新荣的这句话改变了轨迹。 彼时，赵洋对蓝藻的认知还停留在课本上。当他第一次走进沙漠试验田，看 ...

Core Viewpoint - Xinjiang has been actively expanding the green protective belt around the Taklamakan Desert, increasing its width from 110 meters to 7,500 meters, and has planted 4.79 million acres of greenery to strengthen the desert's protective barrier [1] Group 1 - The width of the green protective belt around the Taklamakan Desert has been significantly increased from 110 meters to 7,500 meters [1] - A total of 4.79 million acres of greenery have been added to enhance the desert's protective measures [1] - Large machinery is being organized in Hotan County for desert leveling work in preparation for tree planting in October [1]

Core Insights - Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party, Xinjiang has achieved a significant transformation from "desert encroachment" to "greening the desert" through scientific governance [1][3] Group 1: Environmental Restoration - The ecological restoration of the Tarim River's lower reaches has been facilitated by ecological water replenishment from the upper reaches, with seven large water conservancy projects storing snowmelt water from the Tianshan Mountains [3] - Over the past decade, the groundwater level within one kilometer of the Tarim River has risen by approximately 7 meters, leading to the restoration of 2,300 square kilometers of vegetation [3] - The area of desertified land treated in Xinjiang since the 18th National Congress has reached 52,000 square kilometers, equivalent to the area of eight Shanghai cities [5] Group 2: Economic Development - The area for planting specialty economic crops in Xinjiang's sandy regions has reached 1.845 million acres, with the sand industry generating an annual output value exceeding 4.37 billion yuan [7] - The successful greening efforts have allowed local families, such as the Abdurayim brothers, to expand their agricultural activities, including the cultivation of grapes on 1,100 acres of previously barren land [5][7] - The restoration of the ecosystem has also led to the return of over 170 species of wildlife, indicating a healthy and revitalized environment [5]

Core Viewpoint - The successful capture of three juvenile leopard cats in the Bai Jitan National Nature Reserve highlights the positive ecological improvements resulting from effective desertification control efforts in the region [1][2]. Group 1: Ecological Significance - The presence of juvenile leopard cats, a nationally protected species, indicates a stable adult population and successful breeding within the Bai Jitan Reserve, reflecting a healthy and complete regional ecosystem [2]. - The Bai Jitan Reserve has been recognized as a model for desertification control in China, having completed afforestation efforts covering nearly 700,000 acres, creating a "green wall" that effectively curbs the southward and westward expansion of desert areas [1][2]. Group 2: Conservation Efforts - The reserve has implemented various measures to enhance biodiversity, including the installation of infrared camera grids, strict patrol management, and ongoing ecological restoration, which have improved the habitat quality for wildlife [2]. - The successful documentation of the leopard cat cubs serves as a visual testament to the ecological restoration and ongoing improvements in the Bai Jitan area, showcasing the transformation from desert to oasis [2].

Core Viewpoint - The Xinjiang Hotan region demonstrates that vibrant roses can thrive in the Taklamakan Desert, serving both ecological and economic purposes, with over 70,000 acres of roses currently in the harvesting season [1] Group 1: Economic Impact - Local villagers are actively engaged in rose harvesting, which requires specific techniques and timing to ensure quality, with petals for rose jam harvested separately from buds for tea and essential oils [3] - The rose trading market operates from 9 AM to 8 PM, with daily trading volumes reaching approximately 30 tons of rose petals [6] - Over 2,000 households are involved in rose cultivation in the region, with local cooperatives established to produce products like rose-flavored bread and pure rose water, alongside tourism activities that attract photography and art enthusiasts [7] Group 2: Ecological Benefits - The roses contribute to ecological benefits by stabilizing the desert environment, with the last rose seedling planted in November 2022 marking a successful effort to combat desertification [9] - The cultivation of drought-resistant rose varieties has led to the formation of dense flower beds that effectively block wind and reduce soil erosion [9]