Strategies reimagined: SDG-driven solutions for combating global desertification
Abstract
Desertification threatens 24% of the world’s land area across 126 countries and affects 35% of the global population. However, mainstream global efforts to combat desertification prioritize short-term vegetation greening over addressing resource constraints and local livelihoods, posing hidden challenges to long-term Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) attainment. Here, we evaluated the socioeconomic trade-offs of China’s long-standing desertification reversal strategies and explored the potential benefits of innovative agricultural practices using high-resolution suitability models for major crops and cultivated pasture. Compared with a no-intervention baseline, continuing the Grain-for-Green Program and grazing exclusion under projected 2023–2050 warming and wetting trends would lead to reductions of up to 54 to 55% in grain output, 81% in livestock production, and 61% in agricultural income. Conversely, strategies emphasizing pasture cultivation and crop switching could substantially lower national expenditures on combating desertification while restoring ecosystems, enhancing agricultural productivity and incomes, and conserving water resources. These benefits would contribute 0.7%, 9.8%, and 3.8% toward global progress on SDG 1 (no poverty), SDG 2 (zero hunger), and SDG 6 (clean water and sanitation), respectively, while exhibiting trade-offs across multiple SDGs. This study provides a reimagined strategy framework for combating global desertification and promoting sustainable development in vulnerable arid regions worldwide.
Article Details
Journal Info
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
National Academy of Sciences
Authors (38)
Xunming Wang
Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Xin Geng
Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Fubao Sun
Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Mengyao Han
Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Fahu Chen
Key Laboratory of Western China’s Environmental Systems (Ministry of Education), Lanzhou University
Shengqian Chen
State Key Laboratory of Tibetan Plateau Earth System, Environment and Resources, Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Josep Peñuelas
Lei Gao
Brett A. Bryan
School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University
Changjia Li
State Key Laboratory of Earth Surface Processes and Resource Ecology, Faculty of Geographical Science, Beijing Normal University
Lindsay C. Stringer
Jiansheng Ye
State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-ecosystems, College of Ecology, Lanzhou University
Siyu Chen
Jinan University ,
Jimin Sun
Key Laboratory of Cenozoic Geology and Environment, Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Huayu Lu
School of Geography and Ocean Science, Nanjing University
Huizheng Che
Hongyan Liu
CAS Key Laboratory of Green Process and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Multiphase Complex Systems, Beijing Key Laboratory of Ionic Liquids Clean Process, Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
Baoli Liu
Education and Research Department, Beijing Changier Education Foundation
Zhibao Dong
School of Geography and Tourism, Shaanxi Normal University
Shixiong Cao
School of Management, Minzu University of China
Ting Hua
Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Earth Surface System and Environmental Carrying Capacity, College of Urban and Environmental Science, Northwest University
Xin Gao
Zhenting Wang
Key Laboratory of Desert and Desertification, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Zhaosheng Wang
Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Diwen Cai
Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Duanyang Xu
Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Wenbin Zhu
State Key Laboratory of Critical Earth Material Cycling and Mineral Deposits, School of Earth Sciences and Engineering, Nanjing University
Zhiyang Lan
Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Wenbin Liu
Key Laboratory of Adolescent Health Assessment and Exercise Intervention of Ministry of Education, East China Normal University
Hong Cheng
Shi Hu
Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Mingxing Chen
Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Jie Li
Danfeng Li
Fa Liu
Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Shuying Zhang
Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Yuan Gong
Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Zhepeng Dong
Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences