Fixing active sand dune by native grasses in the desert of Northwest China

Abstract Background Desertification is the most severe environmental problem in arid and semi-arid regions and has caused great economic loss every year. However, artificial sand fixation barriers function on sand fixation for only 10–20 years. Searching for a native species with long-term sand fixation effect and strong environmental adaptive capacity, and low water consumption is needed. In this study, we investigated the environmental adaption and sand fixation effect of a grass from Poaceae family ( Psammochloa villosa ) that is indigenous to the desert of Northwest China. Results The results showed that P. villosa has a streamlined leaf form, strong mechanical strength, and flexibility to adapt to wind. Leaf curling of P. villosa under drought decreased water loss rate through decreased evaporation area to adapt to drought. Significant negative relationship between adventitious root length and horizontal root burial depth indicates that adventitious roots help P. villosa absorb water and nutrients from soil under shallow sand burial condition, which enables P. villosa to adapt to different sand burial conditions. P. villosa fixed sand dunes through the distribution of the population at the top of the dune and the vertical relationship between the direction of windblown sand and the direction of growth of P. villosa , which stopped the expansion of the dune. Conclusions Growth characteristics of wind and drought tolerant leaf traits and adventitious roots under sand burial indicate that P. villosa is well adapted to dry sandy desert conditions and burial by sand. The distribution of the P. villosa population on the sand dune is a “brake” on its expansion. These findings provide new insight for active sand dune fixation and desertification control using native grass in the desertified regions.