Linking priority areas and land restoration options to support desertification control in northern China

Identifying priority areas and allocating suitable measures to control desertification can improve the efficiency and precision of land restoration when funds are limited. However, few studies have attempted to link priority areas and land restoration options to support desertification control at the national level. In this study, a framework was designed to identify priority areas for desertification control by integrating land sensitivity and cost and benefit indicators and then allocate eight land restoration options based on land use type and water resources capacity. The framework was validated in northern China and successfully linked priority areas and land restoration options to support desertification control. In northern China, regions with high priority for desertification control accounted for only 11.5% of the total area and were scattered in central and northwestern areas. Of those high priority areas, 51.2% should be protected without further disturbance, which were primarily distributed in the western part of northern China. Other regions could be moderately developed within the water resources capacity, including development of the ecological industry. In addition, comprehensive policies or projects, including desert national parks, land ownership confirmation, and green finance policy, should be initiated to augment the effects of desertification control and support regional economic development.

Automated summary

This study designed a framework to identify and allocate land restoration options based on priority areas, land use type, and water resources capacity, which effectively supported desertification control. In northern China, only 11.5% of the total area was identified as high priority areas, with 51.2% requiring further protection and the rest being suitable for moderate development within water resources capacity.