How China Turns Desert into Fertile Soil in Just 10 Months

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Scientists in China say they have developed a microbe-based technique that can turn loose desert sand into stable soil, offering a potential new tool to combat desertification.

Researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) used laboratory-cultivated microorganisms to bind sand grains into a hardened surface crust that is far more resistant to wind erosion.

The breakthrough was tested near the Taklamakan Desert in China’s Xinjiang region, one of the world’s largest shifting-sand deserts.

According to CAS, the treated sand formed a stable crust within 10 to 16 months. This hardened layer protects the surface from being blown away by strong winds, creating a critical window for restoration teams to plant shrubs and grasses before they are damaged by sandstorms or extreme heat.

How the technology works

The researchers relied on cyanobacteria—ancient, photosynthetic microorganisms that have existed for around 3.5 billion years and are known for surviving in harsh environments. Powered by sunlight, these microbes grow across the sand’s surface and secrete sticky substances that bind sand particles together.

Cyanobacteria also perform nitrogen fixation, converting nitrogen gas from the atmosphere into nutrients that plants can absorb. Within the first year of treatment, the sand’s top layer began retaining essential nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus.

As the microbes lived and died, they added organic matter to the soil, gradually forming a basic micro-ecosystem. This biological crust became increasingly resistant to erosion and environmental stress.

Measurable impact

Laboratory tests showed the artificial crust reduced sand erosion by more than 90 percent. Lower airborne sand levels could help reduce the frequency and intensity of sandstorms and protect nearby infrastructure, including roads and settlements.

However, researchers cautioned that the crust remains fragile if frequently trampled by people, vehicles, or grazing animals. Protecting treated areas is therefore essential during the early stages of recovery.

The full findings were published in the journal Soil Biology and Biochemistry. Scientists say combining microbial sand stabilization with gradual vegetation planting offers a measurable, science-based strategy to slow desert expansion.

Long-term monitoring is underway to assess whether the approach can be replicated in other desert climates worldwide, potentially providing a scalable solution to global land degradation.