Desert Research Articles

Percepción sobre la salinización del suelo en una zona vitícola de Argentina

Salt-affected soils occupy 1,000 million hectares and concentrate in arid and semi-arid regions, affecting between 20 and 30% of irrigated lands. Primary salinization is derived from natural conditions, while secondary salinization is the product of anthropic factors. Salinized agricultural plots can be abandoned and excluded from the productive system. In this context, productive restoration is an opportunity to recover these sites. Our objective is to inquire about the environmental perception of the social actors of salinization. We aim at transversally incorporating the social component in productive restoration planning. Our study case was the East Zone of the North Oasis of Mendoza, where almost half of the irrigated area is cultivated by vines, almost a quarter is abandoned land, and the rest includes olive trees, fruit trees, and vegetables. We conducted semi-structured interviews to identify the main lines of perception, which were analyzed to recognize strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats for the design of productive restoration projects at a local scale. Strategic, efficient, and sustainable planning must include the social dimension.

Traditional Water Management in the Thar Desert: The Khadeen of Rajasthan, India

The khadeen system of the Thar Desert, in Rajasthan, is an ancient technology that takes advantage of peculiar geohydrologic formations to create temporary lakes. A careful water management practice, the khadeen are an example of age-old methods of capturing and using seasonal runoff for agriculture, ensuring water access in arid regions. Khadeen have played a crucial role in supporting agricultural activities since the sixteenth century, offering impressive yields in a water-scarce environment. However, the enduring efficacy of khadeen faces contemporary threats, including mining encroachment, labor outmigration and road development. The delicate balance between preserving traditional knowledge and succumbing to external pressures poses challenges to their cultural, ecological and agricultural significance. This paper comments on the historical, hydrogeological and socioeconomic dimensions of khadeen, emphasizing the importance of their preservation in sustaining communities and ecosystems in the Thar Desert area.

On some features of diurnal dynamics of solonchak emissivity in summer

ABSTRACT Widely represented in many arid regions of the world, dry marshes pose a potential threat to the adjacent areas because of soil salinization caused by wind transfer (for long distances) of toxic mineral salts from the dried surface. For environmental monitoring of such soils, remote microwave sensing methods are used. In this work, we study at a 2.3 cm wavelength the summer diurnal dynamics of microwave radiation of sodic solonchak formed on the dried bottom of a hypersaline lake. It has been established that the study indicator (in the centimetre range) depends on the cumulative changes in temperature, moisture and salinity of soils. With rise in soil temperature, intensive evaporation and topsoil drying, a salt crust and the underlying layer with less moisture (accompanied by microwave radiation interference on the layered structure of solonchak) can be formed. In the experiment, a daily variation in the brightness temperature of the study object (a specific object) by 25 K occurred with change in thermodynamic temperature of the skin layer by 10 K.

Light intensity moderates photosynthesis by optimizing photosystem mechanisms under high VPD stress

In recent decades, the global increase in vapor pressure deficit (VPD) has significantly inhibited plant growth and photosynthesis. Light intensity, a crucial environmental regulator, plays a vital role in stress response and photosynthetic adjustment. This study investigated whether increasing light intensity under high VPD conditions could optimise the photosystem and thereby enhance photosynthesis. We designed experiments using factorial combinations of two VPD levels (HVPD; high VPD, AVPD; appropriate VPD) and two irradiance gradients (L300; 300 μmol photons m−2 s−1, L600; 600 μmol photons m−2 s−1). Under high VPD, plants protect their photosystems by reducing light energy absorption and limiting photosynthetic electron flow, which results in reduced photosynthesis. However, when exposed to HVPD + L600, plants exhibited increased light energy absorption, as evidenced by elevated chlorophyll b and carotenoid levels, enhanced response to irradiance, and decreased NPQ and Y(NO). This regimen also enhanced photosynthetic electron transport by increasing the total driving force and plastoquinone pool, consequently improving the photochemical efficiency of the photosystem and ultimately boosting the net photosynthetic rate by 46.9%. This study confirmed that modulating light intensity under high VPD stress can improve photosynthesis by optimizing the photosystem. This novel approach can be utilized to enhance tomato production in arid regions.

Coordination between leaf pH and other leaf traits are divergent among life-forms and eco-geographic regions in plants of northern China

Abstract As a key functional trait affecting many physiological processes, leaf pH is closely related to other leaf traits at local scale. Nevertheless, whether and how leaf pH is linked with other leaf functional traits across geographic scales remains unclear. A field survey in northern China was conducted to investigate the relationships between leaf pH and some key leaf structural (specific leaf area, SLA; leaf dry matter content, LDMC) and chemical traits (elemental concentrations; total dissolved solids, TDS; practical salinity), as well as the effects of environmental factors on these relationships. Our results showed that the trait coordination may vary in degree or direction across eco-geographic regions (arid vs non-arid regions) and life-forms (woody vs herbaceous plants). Generally, leaf pH was negatively related to SLA, but positively related to TDS and salinity. However, leaf pH and LDMC were negatively correlated in arid regions but positively correlated in non-arid regions; leaf pH covaried with N (similarly, with Ca, Mg, and Na) in the same direction for both herbaceous and woody plants in arid regions, but not in non-arid regions. The relationships of leaf pH with leaf Ca and Fe concentrations were mainly influenced by climatic factors, while those with leaf P, Ca and Mn concentrations mostly affected by soil factors. Our findings highlight the divergent coordination between leaf pH and other leaf traits across life-forms and eco-geographic regions, and may shed light on the in-depth understanding of the role of acid-base balance in plant eco-physiological processes and ecological adaptation over biogeographic scales.

Impact of Management Strategies on Reducing of Mulching Film Residues Pollution in Arid Regions

Plastic pollution caused by mulching film residues (MFRs) is escalating in arable lands, which affects the function of agricultural ecosystems, and poses a serious obstacle to agricultural sustainable development in arid regions. Internationally, increasing recycling rate of polyethylene (PE) film and adopting biodegradable films are recommended strategies to mitigate plastic pollution in farmland, aiming to increase agricultural sustainability and food security. However, impacts of the future of these strategies remain underexplored. This study estimated MFRs accumulation over the next 50 years under varying PE and polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT) film recovery scenarios: no recovery, and recovery rates increased to 80%, 85%, 90%, and 95%. Additionally, cumulative ecological effects (CEEs) of MFR pollution were assessed based on historical MFRs accumulations of 75 kg hm−2, 160 kg hm−2, 220 kg hm−2, 300 kg hm−2, and 400 kg hm−2, by evaluating direct and indirect ecological effects. The findings revealed that (1) with no recovery, PE film residues could increase by 480 kg hm−2, whereas achieving a 95% recovery rate could limit residues increasing to below the national threshold of 75 kg hm−2, outperforming the 80%, 85%, and 90% recovery rates. On the other hand, using PBAT film would maintain the increasing MFRs below 75 kg hm−2 regardless of recovery rate. (2) Without PE film recovery, CEEs would intensify significantly, as both the direct and indirect effects increase notably, while the CEEs of MFRs could maintain the current status or decrease under the strategy of 95% recovery rate of PE film and using PBAT film, similar to the variation of direct effects. However, indirect effects would persist due to ongoing microplastics (MPs) and phthalate esters (PAEs) released from residual films. Overall, a 95% PE film recycling rate and PBAT film usage emerged as particularly effective strategies for minimizing MFRs accumulation and mitigating ecological impacts over the next 50 years. Further research should prioritize the indirect ecological effects of MFRs, given their persistence despite reduction efforts. The results could provide a theoretical support for agricultural sustainable development in arid regions.

Spatiotemporal Variations and Driving Factors of Water Availability in the Arid and Semiarid Regions of Northern China

It is anticipated that global warming will modify precipitation and evapotranspiration patterns, consequently affecting water availability. Changes in water availability pose challenges to freshwater supply, food security, and ecosystem sustainability. However, the variations and driving mechanisms of water availability in the arid and semiarid regions of Northern China remain unclear. This study evaluates the accuracy of three evapotranspiration products and analyzes the changes in water availability in the arid and semiarid regions of Northern China over the past 39 years (1982–2020) along with their driving factors. The results indicate that during this period, precipitation increased at a rate of 7.5 mm/decade, while evapotranspiration rose at a higher rate of 13 mm/decade, resulting in a decline in water availability of 5.5 mm/decade. Spatially, approximately 30.17% of the area exhibited a significant downward trend in water availability, while 65.65% remained relatively stable. Evapotranspiration is the dominant factor leading to the decrease in water availability, with a contribution rate of 63.41%. The increase in evapotranspiration was primarily driven by temperature (32.53% contribution) and the saturation vapor pressure deficit (24.72% contribution). The decline in water availability may further exacerbate drought risks in arid and semiarid regions. The research results can provide a scientific basis for developing water resource management strategies and ecological restoration strategies under environmental change.

Effects of climate, soil, and leaf traits on nutrient resorption efficiency and proficiency of different plant functional types across arid and semiarid regions of northwest China

BackgroundPlant nutrient resorption is crucial for the efficient conservation of nutrients. However, the mechanisms through which abiotic and biotic factors control nutrient resorption remain controversial. We investigated leaf nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) resorption efficiency (NRE and PRE) and resorption proficiency, as well as the underlying mechanisms for each plant functional type (PFT: non-legume herbs, non-legume shrubs, and legumes) by collecting green and senescent leaves of 59 species covering 106 sites from arid and semiarid regions of northwest China.ResultsLegumes had much lower leaf NRE and much higher senesced leaf N than the other two PFTs; they had similar leaf PRE to non-legume shrubs. Non-legume herbs exhibited the highest leaf P resorption. Climate, particularly temperature, increased leaf N resorption in non-legume herbs; however, climate, particularly decreasing precipitation, decreased leaf P resorption in legumes. Leaf nutrient resorption in non-legume shrubs decreased with increasing soil fertility, but leaf NRE in legumes increased. Leaf traits contributed more to leaf N and P resorption than climate and soil. Senesced leaf N and P concentrations increased along the resource-conservative to resource-acquisitive strategy axis. There were strong negative relationships between leaf NRE and senesced leaf N concentration and between leaf PRE and senesced leaf P concentration, in which legumes had a lower slope than non-legumes.ConclusionsThese findings suggest that ecological strategies and N-fixing plant types modulate nutrient resorption. Plants with the resource-conservative strategy are highly proficient in nutrient resorption. We highlight the importance of leaf economics traits and spectrum in regulating leaf nutrient resorption in drylands in the context of global climate change, potentially modulating plant traits and community composition. The higher proficient and efficient N and P resorption of plant species suggests the crucial importance of nutrient resorption in the nutrient cycling of harsh drylands.

Accurate irrigation decision-making of winter wheat at the filling stage based on UAV hyperspectral inversion of leaf water content

The filling stage of winter wheat is crucial for grain formation. Precise irrigation during this period can significantly enhance both grain yield and water productivity, especially in arid regions. This study introduces a method for precise irrigation decision-making of winter wheat at the filling stage based on UAV hyperspectral inversion of leaf water content (LWC). Through the relationship between soil water content (SWC) and LWC, the optimal irrigation amounts at the filling stage are determined. We utilized two-year field irrigation experiments (2022–2023). The successive projection algorithm (SPA) was applied to select sensitive bands of LWC. Partial least squares regression (PLSR) and random forest (RF) were employed to establish an LWC inversion model. The SPA-RF model was found to be the most effective, with determination coefficients (R²) of 0.95 and 0.96, root mean square errors (RMSE) of 3.00 % and 2.70 %, and normalized root mean square errors (NRMSE) of 6.47 % and 6.01 %, respectively. The SPA algorithm also improved the inversion efficiency of LWC. A significant positive correlation between SWC and LWC during the filling stage was observed, and a conversion model was developed for the pre-, mid-, and late-filling stages. The R² values for pre-, mid-, and late-filling stages were 0.75, 0.80, and 0.73, respectively, with corresponding RMSE values of 28.79 m³/ha 17.26 m³/ha, and 37.35 m³/ha. The results indicate a high consistency between the SWC estimated via hyperspectral inversion and the irrigation quota based on measured SWC, making the proposed method a valuable tool for optimizing irrigation during this critical growth phase. The method for estimating irrigation amounts during the filling stage, based on UAV hyperspectral imagery proposed in this study, offers valuable support for achieving precise irrigation decisions for winter wheat.

Evaluation of Water and Air Fluxes in Mixtures of Soil and Organic Compound for Oxidative Covering Layers

Objective: The aim of this study is to assess the air and water permeability of soil mixtures with organic compost in different proportions in order to determine the gas and liquid fluxes for use in landfill cover layers. Method: The methodology adopted for this study includes laboratory tests to characterize the materials and the use of the flexible wall permeameter model Tri-flex 2 from Soil Test – ELE to determine the air and water permeability of the materials. Mixtures in proportions of 2:1 (soil:compost) and 1:1 (soil:compost) were used as materials for the oxidative covering layer. Results and Discussion: Based on the results obtained, it is possible to conclude that the mixtures present permeabilities to air and water in accordance with the standards indicated by USEPA (2003) for covering layers in sanitary landfills, thus ensuring that there is no excess percolation of water from rain, as well as the emission of polluting gases into the atmosphere. Research Implications: The studied material is potentially suitable for use in oxidative cover layers for sanitary landfills, proving to be a viable alternative for implementation in smaller municipalities with less purchasing power, reducing the need to use clay materials, without detriment to the operational efficiency of the landfill. Originality/Value: One of the difficulties faced by municipalities in using sanitary landfills is the search for suitable materials, especially in municipalities with lower purchasing power or located in arid regions, where the use of conventional layers presents problems, with drying out and opening of fissures. The relevance and value of this research are evidenced by the feasibility of combining clay soils with organic compost to create oxidative cover layers, reducing the pollutant load of organic waste.

Utilising Reclaimed Water for Papaya (Carica papaya L.) Cultivation in Cape Verde: A Detailed Case Study

Papaya (Carica papaya L.) is essential for food security, providing economic benefits in tropical and subtropical regions. However, its high water requirements pose challenges, especially in water-scarce areas like Cape Verde. This study hypothesises that reclaimed water (RW) irrigation can promote papaya production and investigates how water can be managed to ensure sustainability and increase agricultural productivity. An experiment was conducted using Carica papaya L. var Solo-nº8, focusing on subsurface drip irrigation (SDI) with RW. Three irrigation treatments were compared, namely, T1: RW with SDI; T2: RW with drip irrigation (DI); and T3: conventional water (CW) with SDI. The study evaluated crop yields and water use efficiency (WUE) over 13 months, monitoring soil and water quality and papaya growth and yields. Despite quality concerns, RW maintained soil fertility and ensured sustainable reuse. Papaya demonstrated high adaptability and productivity under experimental conditions. T1 significantly increased the cumulative fruit yield (69 t/ha) compared to T2 (65 t/ha) and T3 (62.7 t/ha). T1 also had the highest WUE (5.97 kg/m3), demonstrating the effectiveness of RW and SDI in optimising water use. The results indicate that RW can be a viable alternative to conventional water sources, providing new insights into sustainable agricultural practices and improving food security in arid and semi-arid regions.

Response of transient soil waterlogging on shoot growth pattern and root architecture of finger millet and barnyard millet seedlings

Millets, as key crops in semi-arid and arid tropical regions, are gaining recognition for their nutritional benefits and resilience to challenging conditions. Finger millet and barnyard millet, in particular, stand out for their nutrient profiles and adaptability. However, research on their response to waterlogging, a major abiotic stress, remains limited. This study aimed to examine the immediate response of finger millet and barnyard millet seedlings to transient waterlogging conditions, focusing on their growth patterns and changes in root architecture to understand their morpho-physiological adaptive strategy. Seedlings were subjected to varying durations of waterlogging: control, 48, 74, and 120 hours to assess parameters such as shoot and root characteristics, leaf growth, and tolerance indices. Results showed a decrease in root length and an increase in shoot length with prolonged waterlogging. Root and shoot biomass, along with seedling dry weight, rose as waterlogging durations increased. Significant increases were observed in root surface area, volume, and the number of root tips and forks. Leaf area initially expanded but declined after 72 hours of waterlogging, accompanied by changes in specific leaf area and chlorophyll concentration. Tolerance indices, such as root-to-shoot ratio, decreased under waterlogging conditions, with finger millet exhibiting higher tolerance than barnyard millet. These findings provide insights into the adaptive strategies of millets under waterlogging, which is valuable for crop management and breeding for enhanced stress tolerance.

Using ensemble modeling to predict the current distribution of Pistacia atlantica Desf. in Algeria.

To understand the distribution of Atlas pistachio (Pistacia atlantica Desf.) in Algeria, we analyzed the environmental factors influencing its habitat. This study employs an ensemble modelling (EM) approach, a robust predictive technique in ecological niche modelling that enables us to identify critical environmental drivers affecting plant distributions across different ecosystems' focal species. The EM incorporated four prediction algorithms (generalized linear model, boosted regression trees, random forest, and maximum entropy algorithms); we modelled Atlas pistachio's niche with 2810 occurrence points and 32 environmental variables, including climatic, edaphic, topographic, and anthropogenic factors. The model demonstrated high accuracy, with an AUC of 0.97 and TSS of 0.88. Key factors influencing distribution were precipitation in the driest month (Bio14), soil bulk density (BD), cation exchange capacity (CEC), human modification, and average diurnal amplitude (Bio2), with a relative importance of 20.1%, 12.7%, 6.7%, 4.9%, and 3.1%, respectively. These findings underscore the utility of ensemble modelling to pinpoint specific environmental variables critical to the species' presence and ecological adaptability, which has broader implications for other plant species in arid landscapes. Notably, the probability of Atlas pistachio occurrence increased with BD and decreased with CEC and human influence. Our results emphasize the EM approach as a versatile tool in ecological modelling, facilitating species-specific analyses that contribute to broader ecological restoration efforts, especially in degraded arid and semi-arid regions. This study advances our understanding of Atlas pistachio's environmental requirements and highlights the importance of EM in developing targeted programs to restore degraded ecosystems.

Phytochemical composition and in vitro biological activities of Fumaria officinalis leaves collected from a Tunisian arid region

Phytochemical composition and in vitro biological activities of Fumaria officinalis leaves collected from a Tunisian arid region

Late Cretaceous glaciations in a hyper-arid plateau desert of the South China Coastal Mountains

Increasing evidence indicates the existence of a cryosphere during the Cretaceous supergreenhouse. However, current understanding of a potential link between lithosphere dynamics and cryospheric processes in the Cretaceous plateau desert successions of China remains limited. We report the occurrence of ice-rafted dropstones and diamictites from the Upper Cretaceous Chishan Formation of the Subei Basin at the East Asian continental margin. Our provenance results indicate that fluvial deposits of the Lower Chishan Formation were mainly derived from the Sulu Orogen to the north and the Zhangbaling Uplift to the west, whereas aeolian deposits of the Upper Chishan Formation were largely recycled from the two sources with an additionally notable contribution from the post-Cretaceous basement of the Yangtze Block. Combined with previous evidence, provenance analysis indicates that Late Cretaceous collision between the Okhotomorsk Block and the East Asian continent led to the growth of the South China Coastal Mountains via crustal thickening, which generated an arid, high-altitude basin region that experienced desertification and paleohydrological variability, and that was supplied with additional clastic sediment sources from the basement of the South China Block. Our results provide evidence of Late Cretaceous cryospheric processes in a continental mid-latitude plateau desert linked to the northwestward subduction and collision of the paleo-Pacific realm. Global cooling from the late Turonian to Maastrichtian drove the establishment of glaciers in high-altitude mountains leading to the development of ice-related deposits in the plateau deserts, as recorded in the Subei desert basin of the South China Coastal Mountains. The record of ice-rafted debris and the provenance signature reveal an active Cretaceous plateau cryosphere linked to lithosphere dynamics.

Spatiotemporal Dynamics and Driving Factors of Soil Salinization: A Case Study of the Yutian Oasis, Xinjiang, China

Soil salinization is a critical global environmental issue, exacerbated by climatic and anthropogenic factors, and posing significant threats to agricultural productivity and ecological stability in arid regions. Therefore, remote sensing-based dynamic monitoring of soil salinization is crucial for timely assessment and effective mitigation strategies. This study used Landsat imagery from 2001 to 2021 to evaluate the potential of support vector machine (SVM) and classification and regression tree (CART) models for monitoring soil salinization, enabling the spatiotemporal mapping of soil salinity in the Yutian Oasis. In addition, the land use transfer matrix and spatial overlay analysis were employed to comprehensively analyze the spatiotemporal trends of soil salinization. The geographical detector (Geo Detector) tool was used to explore the driving factors of the spatiotemporal evolution of salinization. The results indicated that the CART model achieved 5.3% higher classification accuracy than the SVM, effectively mapping the distribution of soil salinization and showing a 26.76% decrease in salinized areas from 2001 to 2021. Improvements in secondary salinization and increased vegetation coverage were the primary contributors to this reduction. Geo Detector analysis highlighted vegetation (NDVI) as the dominant factor, and its interaction with soil moisture (NDWI) has a significant impact on the spatial and temporal distribution of soil salinity. This study provides a robust method for monitoring soil salinization, offering critical insights for effective salinization management and sustainable agricultural practices in arid regions.

Impacts of Climate Changes on Spatiotemporal Variation of Cotton Water Requirement and Irrigation in Tarim Basin, Central Asia.

Evapotranspiration (ETc), crop water requirement (Dcr), irrigation (IR) and irrigation leaching amount (IRlc) play a critical role in optimizing irrigation scheduling and are also important for hydrological cycle processes and ecological environment in arid regions. This research examined the spatiotemporal variability of the ETc, Dcr and IR of cotton using data from 16 meteorological stations in the Tarim basin (TRB) of arid Northwest China during 1961-2017. The results showed that the mean annual ETc of cotton exhibited a significant decreasing trend, with a change rate of 12.965 mm·10 a-1 and 18.357 mm·10 a-1 during 1961-2017 and 1961-1990, respectively. Subsequently, it experienced a substantial increase with a change rate of 16.833 mm·10 a-1 after 1990. The Dcr of cotton followed a decreasing trend at a rate of 15.531 mm·10 a-1 and 21.99 mm·10 a-1 during 1961-2017 and 1961-1990, respectively. The Dcr of cotton provided an increasing trend at a rate of 20.164 mm·10 a-1 during 1991-2017. The IR of cotton followed a decreasing trend at a rate of 19.66 mm·10 a-1 in 1961-2017 and 24.531 mm·10 a-1 in 1961-1990, but an increasing trend at a rate of 14.437 mm·10 a-1 in 1991-2017. The IRlc of cotton decreased by 2.566 mm·10 a-1 and 3.663 mm·10 a-1 during 1961-2017 and 1961-1990, respectively. After 1990, it experienced a substantial increase by 3.331 mm·10 a-1. Wind speed exerted the greatest influence on the variability in Dcr and IR between 1961 and 1990, while shine hour played a more prominent role in explaining the variability in Dcr and precipitation may have played a more significant role in explaining the variability in IR. This study is helpful for the scientific planning for agriculture, water resource allocation and water-saving irrigation in arid regions.

Numerical study of rainfall percolation through a novel capillary barrier cover with a zipper-shape interface between fine- and coarse-grained soils

The huge amount of leachate generated in landfills causes persistent pollution to soil and groundwater. Landfill cover is vital for reducing leachate generation through reducing rainwater infiltration. Yet, the traditional cover with capillary barrier effects (CCBE) is only applicable in reducing rainwater percolation at its base in arid or semi-arid region. To solve this problem, a novel capillary barrier cover is proposed, which adds multiple gravel-segments to the traditional CCBE to form the zipper-shape interface between fine- and coarse-grained soils. Hydraulic response of this zippered CCBE is numerically investigated considering different gravel-segment sizes, drainage-ditch widths and climate conditions. It is found that the zippered CCBE has a lower water percolation than the traditional one by up to 57 %. It is because the capillary barrier effects along the right side-wall of gravel-segment leads to water accumulation and hence water percolation near its base, facilitating reducing water percolation using drainage ditch below the gravel-segment. Moreover, water percolation increases when the gravel-segment height exceeds 0.3 times thickness of fine-grained soil or the gravel-segment width increases, due to reduction of water storage in fine-grained soil. Under the recorded annual precipitation of 1235 mm in the semi-humid region in China, the annual percolation of the traditional and zippered CCBEs are 84 mm/year and 36 mm/year, respectively. Thus, the zippered CCBE might extent the applicability of the traditional CCBE from arid or semi-arid region to semi-humid region.

The Mechanisms Driving Ammonia Emission Variations in Alkaline Soil Under Different Irrigation and Fertilization Management Practices in Arid Regions

The Mechanisms Driving Ammonia Emission Variations in Alkaline Soil Under Different Irrigation and Fertilization Management Practices in Arid Regions

Shelterbelt and Windbreak Research in Arid India: A Review of Research Advances and Future Directions

Shelterbelts and windbreaks play a crucial role in enhancing agricultural productivity and environmental sustainability, particularly in arid regions where harsh climatic conditions pose significant challenges to land use. In India, where a substantial portion of the landscape is characterized by dry, aridand semi-arid conditions, the strategic implementation of windbreaks can mitigate soil erosion, reduce evaporationand enhance microclimatic conditions for crops. Globally, research in this area has gained momentum as the impacts of climate change intensify, further exacerbating the vulnerabilities of these fragile ecosystems. In India, the technology was practiced diligently to control movement of sand dunesand to stop desertification extending further from the Thar desert. By integrating native tree species and adopting region-specific management practices, studies have shown that shelterbelts/ windbreaks can significantly improve soil fertility and crop yield, while also providing habitats for biodiversity and other ecosystem services. Furthermore, the socio-economic benefits for local communities, such as improved livelihoods and resilience against climatic extremes, underline the importance of windbreak research in these regions. This review aims to synthesize existing knowledge on windbreak and shelterbelt practices in India’s arid landscapes, highlighting successful cases, trends in research and potential pathways for future research. By examining the multifaceted benefits of these ecological structures, we aim to provide a comprehensive understanding of their role in promoting sustainable agricultural practices and enhancing resilience in vulnerable communities and opening vistas for future research.