Desert greening

Desert greening is the process of afforestation or revegetation of deserts for ecological restoration (biodiversity), sustainable farming and forestry, but also for reclamation of natural water systems and other ecological systems that support life. The term "desert greening" is intended to apply to both cold and hot arid and semi-arid deserts (see Köppen climate classification system). It does not apply to ice capped or permafrost regions. It pertains to roughly 32 million square kilometres of land. Deserts span all seven continents of the Earth^[1] and make up nearly a fifth of the Earth's landmass,^[2] areas that recently have been increasing in size.^[3]

As some of the deserts expand^[4] and global temperatures increase,^[5] the different methods of desert greening may provide a possible response.^[6] Planting suitable flora in deserts has a range of environmental benefits from carbon sequestration to providing habitat for desert fauna to generating employment opportunities to creation of habitable areas for local communities.^[7]

The prevention of land desertification is one of 17 Sustainable Development Goals outlined by the United Nations.^[8] Desert greening is a process that aims to not only combat desertification but to foster an environment where plants can create a sustainable environment for all forms of life while preserving its integrity.