China is vast and sparsely populated, and the problem of desertification has always been serious. Over the past few decades, the state and the people have made tremendous efforts to control desertification and afforestation, and the rate of desertification has been curbed. Especially in recent years, the emergence of the "sand-swallowing monster" has allowed us to see the dawn.
This paper introduces the serious impact of desertification and the lessons learned in the process of desertification control, and focuses on the analysis of the working principle, efficiency and superiority of the current "sand swallowing monster" sand fixation machinery, so that we can be more aware of the past, present and future of desertification control, and also look forward to further gathering people's hearts and gathering strength to jointly promote the construction of ecological civilization in China and realize the sustainable development of the Chinese nation.
1. Desertification has a disastrous impact on the ecological environment
Desertification refers to the process of gradual transformation of grasslands, forests, wetlands and other ecosystems into deserts due to natural or human influences. Not only does it lead to land degradation and biodiversity loss, but it also alters climate patterns, exacerbates soil erosion, and has a profound impact on the human environment.
Taking China as an example, desertification areas are mainly concentrated in the northern rainless areas. For example, the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, which straddles deserts and grasslands, is already short of water and rain. Coupled with overgrazing, deforestation, and soil erosion, there are fewer and fewer pastures and more and more sand dunes. When a sandstorm comes, yellow sand can quickly cover pastures, reservoirs, and settlements hundreds of kilometers away, burying pastures, destroying facilities, and taking lives. According to statistics, Inner Mongolia suffers 2.7 billion yuan in direct economic losses due to sandstorms every year.
Not only that, but desertification also leads to lower groundwater levels and depletion of water sources. In many parts of Inner Mongolia, where wells used to be drilled to eat groundwater, they now rely on long-distance water transfers to make a living. According to reports, 83% of grasslands in Inner Mongolia are threatened by desertification to varying degrees, of which 44% are slightly more serious desertification.
If this continues, the grasslands are likely to disappear from the hands of our generation. When the grasslands disappear, so do the homes of living things. Grassland species such as takin, wild horses, and black-necked cranes will face an even greater extinction crisis.
2. The process of desertification control: from "grass square" to "sand swallowing monster".
In the face of the severe desertification situation, the state has organized and carried out desertification control work since the 50s of the last century. After several generations of unremitting efforts, desertification control has gradually grown from scratch and has become more mature and efficient.
(1) "Grass square" method: an attempt to artificially control desertification
In the 50s of the 20th century, China pioneered the "grass square" sand control method. The main idea is to use wheat straw to form a checkered haystack, lay it on the sandy surface, use the haystack to block the wind, slow down the wind erosion, and can store water, which is conducive to the growth of vegetation.
This method is widely promoted because it is simple to operate, easy to learn and easy to use. Taking Zhongwei City in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region as an example, with the efforts of the local sand control team, the area of desert oasis has been continuously expanded, and more than 110,000 mu of mobile sand land has been treated. In the late 90s, the task of managing mobile sand land has been basically realized.
However, the "grass square" method requires a lot of manual operation after all. From the selection and harvesting of forage to the handling and laying, it requires manpower. Such a grass square of more than ten square meters would take a worker 2 hours to complete. The workload is extremely large, the progress is slow, and it is difficult to cope with the huge challenge of desertification in China.
(2) The birth of the "sand swallowing monster": a qualitative leap in mechanization
In 2016, the multi-functional sand control vehicle developed by Beijing Forestry University was put into use, known as the "sand swallowing monster". This is the product of mechanization and upgrading on the basis of the idea of "grass square" method.
The "Sand-Swallowing Behemoth" is 7 years long2 meters, width 25 meters, height 34 meters. It is mainly equipped with a 350-horsepower turbocharged diesel engine, a forage loading system, a sand fixation system, and a tree planting system. The core working principle is similar to that of the "grass square" method, which uses haystacks to inhibit wind erosion and create conditions for vegetation growth. Its biggest advantage is that it realizes fully mechanized and automatic operation, and the work efficiency is greatly improved.
It is reported that the working speed of this sand control vehicle can reach 5 kilometers per hour. According to the topography and geomorphological characteristics, it can automatically control the thickness, spacing and burial depth of the forage, and accurately insert it into the ground 15-25 cm. Within an hour, 2,000 small saplings can be planted independently, covering an area of 5,600 square meters.
In other words, if it works at full capacity, it can manage 40 acres of desertified land per day, which is equivalent to the workload of dozens of workers. The speed of this vegetation restoration is dozens of times that of the past, which can be called a "sharp weapon" for desertification control in China.
Third, the "sand swallowing monster" has strengthened desertification control
After decades of governance, China's desertification control work has made great progress. In particular, after the "sand swallowing monster" was put into use, the efficiency of governance was further improved.
In 2017, Gansu Province purchased this vehicle for large-scale desertification control tests. According to the local forestry department, the surface roughness of the sandy land treated by the "sand swallowing monster" has been reduced by more than 90%, which is equivalent to the effect of 50 years of wind erosion under natural conditions. At the same time, the survival rate of the seedlings in the first year reached 95%.
It can be said that this experiment was a complete success. Experts from the Gansu Institute of Desert Research said that with this kind of mechanized sand control by vehicles, China's hundreds of millions of acres of desertified land can be completely managed in this generation, which was unimaginable in the past. According to official data, after recent years of governance, China's desertification and desertification land have decreased by 5 million hectares and 4.33 million hectares respectively compared with ten years ago. The United Nations 2030 zero growth target has been achieved ahead of schedule in all desertification control tasks.
We have reason to believe that with the help of new equipment such as the "sand swallowing monster", China's desertification control cause will be able to strengthen its wings, and the ecological environment will become better and better. Deserts are not scary, and they will not last forever. With the past struggle and the blessing of science and technology, we have full confidence and strength to manage every inch of desert on the land.
This paper introduces the serious impact of desertification and the lessons learned in the process of desertification control, and focuses on the analysis of the working principle, efficiency and superiority of the current "sand swallowing monster" sand fixation machinery. Not only do we see hope for desertification control, but we also know better what needs to be done. The author suggests that, first, continue to increase investment in scientific research and develop more efficient desertification control machinery. Second, it is necessary to establish a normalized desertification control mechanism and elevate the desertification control work to a national strategic level. The third is to widely publicize the dangers of desertification and gather the joint efforts of the whole people to control desertification.
Let us work together to leave a beautiful home full of vitality for future generations with the belief that man will conquer the heavens. Some netizens said: The article profoundly describes the seriousness of the problem of desertification, and also systematically introduces the process of China's desertification control for decades.
Some netizens also said: Desertification control requires long-term efforts, not only scientific and technological means, but also the conscious participation of the masses, such as consciously planting trees and protecting vegetation. Some netizens said: The last suggestion of the article is very pertinent, we must continue to increase investment in scientific research, and we must also raise the work of desertification control to the national level, mobilize the whole people, and let us protect our homeland together.
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