Machines to the rescue

Researchers first use drones to learn about a desert's landform in an effort to work out the optimal point for measuring wind speed and direction, so as to determine the required size, height and direction of checkbox barriers.

Then the sand-stabilizing machines build barriers according to the requirements. The machines are large converted trucks. Woven straw is kept in the box of the truck.

Eventually, wind-breaking seedlings are planted in the checkboxes.

In the traditional way, three or four people can build more than 600-sq m woven straw checkbox barriers in a day, but a machine operated by three people can build 40,000-sq m.

"This will help overcome the problem of labor shortages and rising labor costs," says Wang Chunfeng, deputy director of the International Department of the State Forestry Administration. "I hope this experience can be used in desertification control in other countries."