Transforming desert sand into fertile land. A technique has been developed in China that makes this possible in the long term. However, certain conditions must be met for this to work. Water is essential even for this technique.
Sand annually destroys many square kilometers of fertile land. The global spread of deserts (desertification) is a serious environmental issue. Human interventions such as overgrazing, deforestation, and intensive agriculture promote desertification.
The Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) has now developed a method to turn desert back into fertile soil. At least when the basic prerequisites are met. The results were published in the journal Soil Biology and Biochemistry (via sciencedirect.com).
Cyanobacteria form a soil crust on desert sand that can retain nutrients
What have the researchers done? Chinese experts have applied special, lab-cultivated cyanobacteria to sandy areas in desert regions, which were covered with straw nets in a checkerboard pattern.
These microbes form a so-called “biological soil crust”: They envelop sand grains with a slimy sugar film that hardens and holds the grains together like glue.
Within about 10 to 16 months, a stable, thin crust develops on the surface, significantly reducing sand erosion and better retaining nutrients and water in the topsoil. This creates a precursor to fertile soil, on which grasses and shrubs have a much better chance of growing and surviving.
What is special about this? Normally, the natural development process of such layers in nature takes decades. Chinese research now shows that this decades-long development process can be shortened to about a year with visible success: Loose sand becomes a stable surface that can subsequently be utilized (via indiandeferenceview.com).
Where can the technique help? The new method can curb sand erosion, build up topsoil, and support reforestation and greening projects in arid regions. According to researchers, it could significantly reduce desertification. More organic matter in the soil means potentially more carbon storage and fewer dust and sand storms (via earth.com).
What limitations does the system have? The method works primarily where there is at least occasional rainfall. Lack of precipitation or extreme heat can significantly hinder the formation and activity of the crusts. Therefore, the method does not work well in the deepest parts of the Sahara.
Long-term climatic damage or human interventions such as heavy overgrazing or deforestation cannot be compensated for with this technique.
8.2 billion people live on Earth. But researchers have recalculated and believe: We have underestimated by hundreds of millions. Specifically, one demographic group has likely been significantly underestimated: rural populations: Officially, there are 8.2 billion people, but researchers have realized: We have significantly miscalculated.
