In the world of ecology and climatology, a debate is raging around one of the most massive projects in human history. China, which began its fight against desertification back in 1978, has planted 66 billion trees to date. However, recent scientific data published by Live Science points to a paradox: these man-made forests demonstrate growth rates that exceed those of natural, wild ecosystems.
The paradox of accelerated growth
Researchers have found that trees planted as part of the grand "Great Green Wall" program behave differently than their counterparts in untouched forests. The key factor determining this dynamic is the plants' reaction to changing climatic conditions.
Young plantations show increased sensitivity to the level of carbon dioxide (CO₂) in the atmosphere. While mature natural forests adapt to changes more slowly, artificially created stands use the rise in greenhouse gas concentrations as a powerful catalyst. This allows them to accelerate the process of photosynthesis and increase biomass at an unprecedented rate.
Strategy against deserts
The scale of the project is dictated by harsh geographical reality. The main goal of the "Great Green Wall" is to create a biological barrier capable of halting the advance of two giant deserts: the Gobi and the Taklamakan. Desertification threatens fertile lands and the country's infrastructure, so reforestation has become a matter of national security and survival.
The results obtained confirm the effectiveness of the strategy: planted trees not only survive but actively develop, performing the function of a carbon filter and windbreak.
Plans until 2050 and ecological risks
Current achievements are only halfway there. According to the long-term plans of the PRC government, by 2050 it is planned to plant another 34 billion trees. The goal is ambitious: to bring the total number of planted trees to 100 billion.
However, despite the impressive statistics on carbon absorption, the scientific community is not without skepticism. Ecologists warn of risks associated with the creation of monoculture plantations. Unlike complex natural ecosystems where many species coexist, artificial forests consisting of a single type of tree may be more vulnerable.
Such monocultures often demonstrate lower resilience to mass pest infestations and prolonged droughts. Therefore, while continuing to scale the project, Chinese specialists will have to solve not only the task of quantity but also the task of biodiversity to guarantee the long-term viability of the "green shield".
