Massive tree planting around China's Taklamakan Desert has transformed it into a carbon sink, absorbing more CO2 than it releases, according to new research published in PNAS. The desert, which is slightly larger than Montana at 130,000 square miles, was historically considered a 'biological void' due to its extreme aridity and shifting sand dunes.

China's Three-North Shelterbelt Program, also known as the Great Green Wall, has planted over 66 billion trees since 1978 to combat desertification. The effort has increased China's forest cover from 10% in 1949 to more than 25% today. Researchers analyzed satellite data and ground observations over 25 years, finding that vegetation expansion along the desert's edges has boosted photosynthesis and CO2 sequestration.

The study shows that seasonal precipitation patterns, with the wet season receiving 2.5 times more rainfall than the dry season, have enhanced vegetation growth and carbon absorption. While previous research suggested the desert's sand could act as a carbon sink, scientists now confirm that vegetation-driven sequestration is more stable and effective. This demonstrates that human-led intervention can successfully transform even the most extreme arid landscapes into carbon sinks.