Climate change and human activities are driving desertification in northern China. By analyzing changes in evapotranspiration and precipitation, researchers found that climate change played a major role in desertification reversal in some regions between 1975 and 2000. Human intervention also influenced desertification patterns, with some areas experiencing reversion and others worsening. From 2005 to 2010, desertification reversion was widespread, but climate change had less impact. This study sheds light on the causes of desertification and how climate change affects it.