China's experience and innovation methods of sand prevention and desertification control

Desertification is a major global ecological issue that affects human survival, social development, and stability. The Chinese government has assigned great importance to the issue of desertification. Over the past 70 years, the Chinese government has harnessed the power of the state to carry out sand and soil conservation, with remarkable achievements that have attracted worldwide attention. This paper summarizes the main achievements of China's sand prevention and desertification control, including focusing on fixing sand combined with blocking sand, equal emphasis on both blocking and fixing sand, environmental saline water irrigation afforestation technology, non-irrigation afforestation technology, low-coverage desertification control, and the biomineralization solidified sand method. These methods are all successful approaches that have been summarized and elevated from practical experience based on local conditions and theoretical innovation enhancement. The biomineralization solidified sand method has wide adaptability, and there are no restrictions on site conditions, which can not only solidify sands but also restore the ecology with non-irrigation, so it is the best choice for future sand prevention and desertification control.