China’s 'Green Great Wall' tames desert growth, but scientists warn the fight is not over

Europe Science Mon, 13 Jul 2026 15:18:50 GMT High confidence — 82/100

KUBUQI DESERT, China -- For half a century, millions of workers have repeated a task across the deserts in northern China: inserting forearm-length sticks into shifting sand, first in a row, then in an intersecting line, gradually forming a grid.
Then saplings are planted at the center of each small square.
The technique, known as “straw checkerboards,” is a simple yet widely used method to stabilize sand dunes against the wind and help plants take root by using water supplied through an irrigation system.

KUBUQI DESERT, China -- For half a century, millions of workers have repeated a task across the deserts in northern China: inserting forearm-length sticks into shifting sand, first in a row, then in an intersecting line, gradually forming a grid.
The technique, known as “straw checkerboards,” is a simple yet widely used method to stabilize sand dunes against the wind and help plants take root by using water supplied through an irrigation system.

Sources: ABC News, The Independent