Overgrazing

Overfarming

Deforestation

Diversion of water

Buildings and Infrastructure

Groundwater Withdrawal

as well as climate induced ones such as:

Drought 

Forest Fires

Floods

Erosion

Increased Temperature, among others.

Desertification is defined as the process of taking a semi arid or sub-tropical area into a hyper-arid one without much rainfall. In China, this is one of the largest issues as identified by the United Nations. One third of the land is known to be in critical conditions as well as 400 million people who are affected. The expansion of hyper arid areas harm the livelihoods of many. Erosion related vegetation, and air quality are correlated as well. 

Three main case studies are to be looked at in this report. 

First of all, Grain for Green:

The main concept is where farmers swap their farmland in replacement of forests. This is due to the former being susceptible to soil erosion and flooding. This too, promotes biodiversity at the same time. Special emphasis is on hilly areas as 65% of the targeted area is mountainous. 

Next is the 3 North Shelter Project:

It is a series of strategically placed human-planted forest areas to prevent sand storms from entering cities and also acts to increase forest and arable land. The government offers incentives to farmers in three of the northern regions of China, hence the name. These are the North, Northeast, and Northwest. 

Finally the NFCP (National Forest Conservation Program): 

This addresses deforestation and acts to expand natural forests. Through a combination of policies, it includes technical education and training, land management planning, and research facilities for scientific development. 

Overall, the choice of biodiversity is very important in either of the three scenarios. Trees pull up more groundwater than shrubs for instance, and giving the context of desertification, this must be taken into account.