Desert plantations improve soil and restore grasslands in Northwest China
Artificial sand-fixing Caragana intermedia plantations in desert steppe help restore degraded grassland ecosystems by improving soil conditions and promoting ground vegetation growth. As the plantations grow, shrub size increases, soil texture changes, and soil nutrients improve. Ground vegetation species and coverage also increase over time. The growth of these plantations benefits the environment by enhancing soil quality and supporting the recovery of vegetation in desert steppe areas.