In Chifeng city, Inner Mongolia, a significant academic summit and the inauguration of a dedicated research centre were held on 6 June 2025. The event, focused on combating desertification and conserving shelter forests, brought together dozens of prominent scientists, government officials, and policymakers to chart next‑generation strategies in ecological restoration.

The highlight was the unveiling of the Academician Workstation for Shelterbelt Engineering and Desertification Control at the Chifeng Forestry Scientific Research Institute, co‑hosted by the Chifeng municipal government and the Institute of Applied Ecology (IAE), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS). Academician ZHU Jiaojun, director of IAE, outlined the workstation’s strategic plan, positioning it as a centre for innovations under the “Koerqin–Hunshandake Front” – two key sandy regions targeted for ecological recovery. His presentation framed the challenges of climate pressure and land degradation, and proposed a comprehensive “Desertification Control, Land Sustainability, and Resource Utilisation (Control-Manage-Utilise)” methodology for "Chifeng Model" restoration efforts. Dr YAN Qiaoling then introduced the well-established Ulan'aodu Desertification Control Experimental Station, detailing its 50 years of desert research and its plans for the coming decade. Both talks were praised for their visionary and practical approach, and attendees offered constructive suggestions, including integrating timber and agro‑pastoral systems, employing AI for monitoring, and embedding advanced science into restoration projects.

That afternoon, the academic forum shifted focus to broader measures. Nine lectures shared valuable insights from recent desert restoration initiatives. Dr YAN reported on the the 'road-integrated' model for sand control, offering metrics and replicable design principles. Researcher ZHENG Xiao advanced a method using complete hydrological data and a novel “aridity index” to match vegetation types to changing water availability in dry regions. Dr QI Ke unveiled a framework to assess ecological “coordination” of a complex, integrated system, involving diverse ecosystems and landscape elements such as mountains, rivers, forests, farmland, wetlands, grasslands, and desert areas, suggesting policy guidance for integrative rehabilitation. Other experts addressed the decline of Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica plantations, revealing physiological stress from root‑zone desiccation; water‑use efficiency in shelterbelt communities; and techniques to enhance plant diversity and functionality in sandy soil, including vegetation restoration under large-scale solar photovoltaic arrays.

Significant attention was paid to the application of advanced technology. Researcher GAO Tian described how climate‑smart forestry methods—incorporating remote sensing, multi‑scale modelling, and digital twins (virtual models representing real-world systems)—can enhance monitoring and decision support. Researcher ZHAO Ou presented findings from the Upper Xiliao River region, where tailored schemes using elm‑shrubs and grass mixes remediate eroded sandy areas. Additionally, engineer CHENG Rui‑chun explained how new grafting techniques for rare pine species could raise economic returns in early plantation phases, bolstering both ecological and financial resilience.

The day concluded with Academician ZHU summarising the meeting and expressing hope that the workstation would serve as a platform to convert scientific knowledge into large‑scale ecological action. His remarks highlighted the importance of aligning advanced research with engineering projects and government policy-making to reinforce northern China’s ecological safety network.

From June 2025 to May 2028, the Academician workstation will focus on advancing research and development in areas including integrated engineering‑biological measures for desert land control, sustainable construction techniques for forest and grassland ecosystems in desertified areas, the formation and development of new productivity in desert regions, integrated ecological protection and restoration based on coordinated technologies for complex ecosystems in patched landscapes, health maintenance and near-natural restoration techniques, as well as talent cultivation in the field of shelterbelt engineering and desertification control.

Inauguration of the Academician Workstation for Shelterbelt Engineering and Desertification Control