In China, there is a region that has not been able to grow any greenery for a thousand years. The reason lies in the unique climate and terrain of this area.
Historically, China is a country with vast lands and abundant resources. The terrain of China is high in the west and low in the east, complex and diverse, with mountains, plateaus, and hills covering 67% of the land area, while basins and plains account for 33%.
The most famous area is the western region of China, home to the largest plateau in the world, the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, which has an average elevation of over 4,000 meters and is known as the “Roof of the World.”
Nagqu County is located in Tibet, nestled between the famous Tanggula Mountain and Nyenchen Tanggula Mountain.
Nagqu County spans 16,000 square kilometers and is home to approximately 140,000 residents. This area is ethnically diverse, with the majority being Tibetan, alongside Han, Hui, Mongolian, Monba, and other ethnic groups.
The terrain of Nagqu County is very steep and rugged, characterized by a plateau and mountainous landscape, with many rivers and stunning snow-capped mountains. It is also rich in biological resources, mineral resources, and energy resources.
This place is considered the only area in China without any greenery. (Illustrative image).
The biological resources in Nagqu County include wildlife and valuable medicinal plants, featuring 68 species of wild animals, 28 species of mammals, and 32 species of wild birds, along with 189 types of biological plants, including Cordyceps, fritillaries, snow lotus, rhodiola, and more.
Additionally, Nagqu County is rich in energy resources, including geothermal, solar, and wind energy, with hydropower being the most abundant resource. Nagqu County is home to the largest hydropower plant in northern Tibet.
Reasons Why Nagqu Has No Trees
Nagqu County is situated in Tibet, with an average elevation of over 4,500 meters. Much of the land is frozen, and the strong winds blow year-round, which prevents trees from growing in this area.
Nagqu County has long been considered the only area in the country without any greenery.
The residents of Nagqu County have a strong desire for a large tree to grow in their living environment.
Modern scientists and researchers from China have come to Nagqu County to conduct field investigations and studies. There are three main reasons why trees cannot be planted here.
First, Nagqu County falls under the sub-humid, monsoon climate of the high Arctic plateau, characterized by heavy rainfall and extremely low temperatures. Furthermore, due to its elevation and location in Tibet, there is no natural insulating terrain.
The prolonged rainfall and low temperatures year-round have resulted in severe permafrost conditions in Nagqu County.
In areas with frozen ground, the water in the soil freezes and thaws seasonally, making it difficult for plant roots to absorb water and nutrients.
Moreover, the soil and ground temperatures remain very low, which directly weakens the ability of the root system to transport water, leading to an inability to supply sufficient water and nutrients to the upper parts of the plant. This phenomenon is referred to as physiological drought in plants.
When plants experience prolonged physiological drought, the water and nutrients in the soil are not absorbed, leading to depleted and dying vegetation.
Secondly, there is a significant issue with tree planting in Nagqu County due to the extremely high wind speeds year-round and very thin oxygen levels.
According to statistics from the relevant meteorological bureau, Nagqu County experiences approximately 100 windy days a year, which coincide with the growing season of the vegetation.
The area of Nagqu County lacks vegetation to reduce wind speed. The strong winds directly attack young trees, causing them to topple or even uproot.
Thirdly, in addition to the two reasons mentioned above, another factor that cannot be overlooked is that Nagqu is located at a high altitude with extremely sparse oxygen levels in the air.
During their growth, plants also require a significant amount of oxygen for nourishment, but the growing environment in Nagqu County cannot meet the basic growth needs of plants.
Looking across the entire region of Nagqu County, the entire vegetation consists only of grasslands and a few scattered short shrubs. It is clear that the small shrubs in Nagqu County struggle to meet the oxygen requirements.
Furthermore, when attempting to plant trees artificially, the cold climate and sparse oxygen levels at high altitudes pose significant challenges for tree planting workers in Nagqu County, making the process even more difficult.
All Agricultural Measures Taken
After successfully identifying the reasons why trees cannot thrive, efforts have begun to focus on overcoming these two difficulties to plant trees artificially.
A large number of scientific researchers are tirelessly working to breed a type of seedling that can withstand cold, frost, and survive in various harsh environments in Nagqu County.
It is very difficult to plant trees in cold and high-altitude areas.
However, scientists gradually discovered that most trees in China are adapted to subtropical and temperate climates. Researchers attempted to plant these seedlings, and initially, they appeared to be healthy and vibrant.
But later, they were affected by permafrost and the devastation of strong winds. The trees quickly succumbed to frost and withered almost immediately.
Researchers, in collaboration with the Nagqu County Forestry Bureau, have invested millions of dollars in continuous tree planting experiments. However, it remains very difficult to plant trees in cold and high-altitude areas.
Scientists continue to experiment, innovate, and apply methods such as placing thick blankets under the tree holes to artificially insulate the frozen soil. There have even been methods like placing seedlings in pits filled with sand, livestock, and sheep manure for cultivation. Yet none of them successfully planted young trees in Nagqu County.
