Core Viewpoint - The "Vibrant China Research Tour" highlights the successful transformation of a barren area in Inner Mongolia into a thriving ecological and economic zone through the planting of the drought-resistant shrub, Salsola, and the cultivation of the medicinal herb, Cistanche deserticola [2][7]. Group 1: Ecological Transformation - The demonstration base has successfully planted 430,000 acres of Salsola, creating a green protective barrier measuring 37 kilometers long and 23 kilometers wide [7]. - The area has seen a significant reduction in sandstorms and improved biodiversity, with various grass species now thriving where there was once barren land [7]. - The project has effectively stabilized sand and preserved water and soil, contributing to the ecological restoration of the region [7]. Group 2: Economic Impact - The cultivation of Cistanche deserticola on 58,000 acres yields approximately 300 tons annually, generating nearly 6 million yuan in revenue [7]. - The collective economy of the local community has increased by 300,000 yuan since 2021, benefiting both the community and individual farmers [7]. - The shift from "I have to plant trees" to "I want to plant trees" among local farmers indicates a growing commitment to ecological construction and sustainable income generation [5]. Group 3: Challenges and Innovations - Initial attempts to plant Salsola faced a survival rate of only 28%, significantly below the national standard of 70%, prompting a reevaluation of planting techniques [4]. - The introduction of autumn and winter planting methods improved survival rates by 5% to 10% and reduced water usage by 450 kilograms per acre [4]. - The project has evolved from traditional tree planting to a focus on local shrub species, adapting to the harsh climatic conditions of the region [3].

Group 1 - The core viewpoint of the articles highlights the successful ecological restoration efforts in Ningxia Pingluo County, focusing on desertification control and the promotion of biodiversity through various innovative techniques and local plant species [1][2] - The implementation of a scientific desertification control strategy using drought-resistant plants such as Caragana, Haloxylon, and others has led to the comprehensive management of 76,300 acres of desertified land [1] - Technological innovations, including the "grass grid + sand crust" technique and the use of water drilling for shrub planting, have significantly improved survival rates of planted vegetation to over 80% [1] Group 2 - The ecological restoration efforts have resulted in substantial benefits, such as the Tianhe Bay wetland's annual water conservation of several million cubic meters and the enhancement of biodiversity, making it a crucial habitat for migratory birds [2] - The investment of 188 million yuan in six key projects aims to further improve desertification control and wetland restoration, targeting the management of an additional 50,300 acres of desertified land and 48,000 acres of wetland [2] - The overall goal is to strengthen the ecological security barrier in Northwest China by enhancing functions related to wind and sand prevention, soil conservation, carbon sequestration, and biodiversity protection [2]

Core Insights - Inner Mongolia focuses on ensuring seedling supply for the "Three North" project through a comprehensive strategy involving "protection, cultivation, breeding, promotion, and management" [1] - The region has established 40 seedling bases covering an area of 400,000 acres, producing over 2.1 billion seedlings, which not only meet local needs but also supply surrounding provinces [1] - By early 2025, Inner Mongolia aims to complete over 20 million acres of desertification control, necessitating robust seedling supply and management [1] Seedling Production and Quality Control - The region is strategically planning seedling breeding bases based on ecological zoning and tree species characteristics, focusing on valuable tree species in the eastern region and ecological species in the central and western regions [2] - A "Green Sword 2025" action has been initiated to monitor seedling quality, involving a seven-month inspection period with a completion of 291 seedling batches and 61 seed batches, achieving a pass rate of over 98% [2] - A price monitoring and early warning mechanism for seedlings has been established to ensure stable market order and quality supply, supporting the success of the "Three North" project [2]

Core Insights - Xinjiang is focusing on combating desertification through the "Three-North" project, aiming to enhance green protective belts and increase governance areas significantly this year [1][2] - The region has successfully completed substantial tasks under the "Three-North" project, achieving a total of 28.34 million acres of construction and creating a 3,046-kilometer green barrier against desert encroachment [1] Group 1 - Xinjiang plans to scientifically determine suitable crops and utilize groundwater resources effectively, increasing the width of green protective belts from 110 meters to 7,500 meters and adding 4.79 million acres of governance area [1] - The "government-led, community-participation" model in the Yutian County has engaged approximately 36,000 residents in sand control efforts, promoting the cultivation of sand-resistant plants and developing sand-related industries [1] - The region has achieved a dual improvement in desertification control and water management, leading to a reduction in both desert and sandy land areas [1] Group 2 - The Yutian County Wanhuayuan "closing" area is a critical segment of the 285-kilometer gap along the southern edge of the Taklamakan Desert, exploring diverse planting models to enhance windbreak and sand-fixing capabilities while also tapping into economic value [2] - A special fund of 1.1 billion yuan has been allocated for this year, promoting an incentive model of "doing first, then compensating" and advancing technical upgrades with distributed photovoltaic systems and saline water irrigation [2] - A pilot project for forest and grass carbon sink development is set to cover 3.9 million acres [2]

Core Viewpoint - The articles highlight the significant progress made in desertification control and ecological restoration in Alxa League, particularly in the Tengger Desert area, through various innovative methods and projects aimed at combining ecological protection with energy development [1][2][3][4]. Group 1: Desertification Control Efforts - Alxa League has completed desertification control over an area exceeding 12 million acres, with over 3.3 million acres of drought-resistant plants like Haloxylon and Caragana being planted [1]. - The "Three-North" project has been crucial in combating desertification, with local authorities implementing a combination of natural and artificial methods to create a protective green belt spanning 460 kilometers [2]. - In 2024, Alxa League aims to complete 4.7 million acres of desertification control tasks, focusing on collaborative prevention and treatment in border areas [2]. Group 2: Integration of Renewable Energy - The integration of clean energy projects with desertification control is being actively pursued, with a focus on photovoltaic technology to halt the advance of deserts while promoting energy development [3][4]. - The Inner Mongolia Huadian Tengger Clean Energy Base has installed 3.71 million photovoltaic panels, generating an annual average of 1.715 billion kWh, sufficient to meet the electricity needs of approximately 603,700 households [4]. - By 2024, Alxa League has achieved comprehensive management of over 96 million acres of desertified land, increasing forest coverage from 2.96% to 8.42% and grassland vegetation coverage from under 15% to 23.18% [4].

Core Viewpoint - The "Three-North" project is a significant national strategy aimed at combating desertification and enhancing ecological restoration in China's ecologically fragile regions, with a focus on systematic governance and integrated ecological protection [10]. Group 1: "Three-North" Project Overview - The "Three-North" project is positioned as a critical initiative for ecological protection and restoration in China's desertification-prone areas, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive approach to environmental management [10]. - The project aims to complete the governance of over 3.8 million hectares by 2024, marking a substantial step in ecological restoration efforts [10]. Group 2: Local Implementation and Innovations - In the Yellow River "Z" bend area, a systematic approach to sand control has been established, integrating natural protection areas, farmland shelterbelts, and designated zones for sand fixation and solar energy [2][3]. - In the Khorchin Sandy Land, innovative practices such as intercropping drought-resistant tree species have been implemented to enhance the resilience of afforestation efforts [6][7]. - The integration of solar energy projects with agricultural practices has transformed previously barren lands into productive areas, demonstrating the synergy between ecological restoration and economic development [7]. Group 3: Community Involvement and Economic Benefits - The local communities are actively engaged in sand control efforts, with policies facilitating the allocation of state-owned sandy lands to households for cultivation, thereby promoting both ecological and economic benefits [9]. - The production of desert plants like meat苁蓉 has surged, with the region accounting for 85% of the national output, showcasing the successful combination of ecological restoration and economic growth [9].

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the long-term efforts of a family in Gansu Province, China, who have dedicated over two decades to combating desertification and successfully afforested more than 10,000 acres of land in the Tengger Desert area, showcasing resilience and commitment to environmental restoration [1][5][7] Group 1: Family's Journey and Challenges - The family, led by Wang Tianchang and his son Wang Yinjie, began their afforestation efforts in 1999 in response to severe sandstorms threatening their farmland [1][2] - The tragic loss of Wang Yinjie's 14-year-old son in 2005 due to illness became a driving force for the family, as his last words inspired them to continue their fight against the desert [1][2][3] - The family faced numerous hardships, including living in a makeshift underground dwelling and dealing with the physical toll of their labor over the years [2][3] Group 2: Achievements in Afforestation - The family has successfully established a survival rate of around 70% for the saplings planted in the desert, including species like Haloxylon ammodendron and various trees [2][3] - By 2010, Wang Yinjie set a goal to afforest 10,000 acres, which was achieved last year, and they aim to double this figure in the future [5][6] - The family has mobilized community support, with over 80 volunteers assisting in their recent afforestation efforts [6] Group 3: Environmental Impact - The family's efforts have led to the establishment of a 12-kilometer shelterbelt, with over 1.5 million saplings surviving and a significant increase in local biodiversity, including an increase in bird species from 12 to 89 [7] - The area has seen a reduction in sandstorm days from an average of 37 to 9 annually, demonstrating the effectiveness of their afforestation initiatives [7]

Core Viewpoint - The "Million Forest Plan - Desert Locking Forest Action" has successfully planted over 10 million trees and restored 1.1 million square meters of desert land in the Tengger Desert area from 2014 to 2023, showcasing significant ecological restoration efforts [1][2][4]. Group 1: Project Achievements - The project has resulted in the planting of over 10 million trees, covering approximately 16.3 million acres, equivalent to 15,219 standard football fields [1][2]. - The average rate of tree planting has been 2 trees per minute, and about 3.9 square meters of desert land has been reclaimed every second [2][3]. - The project has effectively created a green barrier to prevent desert expansion and reduce sandstorms, with significant improvements in local biodiversity and soil stability [4][14]. Group 2: Ecological Impact - The planted species, such as Haloxylon ammodendron (Salsola) and Caragana korshinskii (Flowering shrub), have deep root systems that stabilize the soil and enhance carbon sequestration [4][11]. - The project has resulted in a significant reduction in wind speed and sand erosion, with mature forests capable of reducing sand dust levels by over 68% [8][9]. - The total annual sand fixation capacity of the forests is approximately 67.41 million tons, equivalent to filling 270 Olympic-sized swimming pools [10][9]. Group 3: Economic and Social Benefits - The ecological tourism generated by the project brings in over 8 million yuan annually, with thousands of visitors participating in tree planting and educational activities [23][24]. - Local farmers have seen an increase in income, estimated at over 2 million yuan per year, through participation in tree planting and maintenance activities [24][25]. - The project has also created a platform for community engagement, with local farmers, businesses, and volunteers contributing to the ecological restoration efforts [27][28].

Group 1 - The Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region is focusing on greening key areas, particularly the edge of the Taklamakan Desert, through various projects such as photovoltaic sand control and biological sand control [1] - The "Locking Edge Project" of the Taklamakan Desert has entered a high-quality and normalized phase since its completion on November 28, 2024, with plans to complete 11.94 million mu of the "Three North" project this year, including 8.44 million mu for the desert edge [1] - Local communities are actively participating in afforestation efforts, with drought-resistant and economically valuable tree species being planted to enhance both ecological and economic benefits [1] Group 2 - The Xinjiang government has implemented nine measures to support the desert control efforts, focusing on policies, funding, and technology [2] - In the Aheler Township, the government covers infrastructure costs to encourage farmers to participate in sand control planting, with over 230 households cultivating more than 29,000 mu of land [2] - The Aksu region is utilizing small distributed photovoltaic systems to address water and electricity challenges for desert reclamation, achieving an 80% survival rate for planted trees over 63,000 mu [2] Group 3 - The Shaya County is exploring brine water desalination technology to further enhance sand control results, with a demonstration base showing good growth of crops like wheat and cabbage [3]