In a bold move to combat climate challenges, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region is redirecting 510 million cubic meters of floodwater 💦 this year to revive drought-stricken desert poplar forests along the Tarim River Basin. Talk about turning lemons into lemonade—or in this case, floods into forests!
Last year’s efforts already showed epic results: 1.1 billion cubic meters of water (197% of the target! 🎯) irrigated 181,333 hectares of forest, boosting greenery by 4.3% 🌱. Scientists from the Chinese Academy of Sciences’ Xinjiang Institute say this \"natural sponge strategy\" is key to protecting one of Earth’s largest natural desert poplar forests—a critical shield against desert expansion.
These iconic trees 🏜️, dubbed \"heroes of the desert\" for surviving harsh conditions, faced mass die-offs since the 1950s due to water overuse. But since 2019, Xinjiang’s restoration project has been flipping the script 🔄, using seasonal floods to kickstart nature’s comeback.
Who knew floods could be heroes? 🌊 This eco-hack isn’t just saving trees—it’s safeguarding a lifeline for southern Xinjiang’s ecosystems. Stay tuned for more green wins! ✨
