Synergistic Regulation of Soil Function and Wind Erosion Resistance by Sand Barriers, Vegetation, and Artificial Biological Crust in the Tengger Desert

ABSTRACT

Aeolian desertification poses a critical threat to ecosystem stability in arid regions worldwide. Although the combination of sand barriers and vegetation has been widely applied for sand fixation, its long‐term effectiveness is constrained by barrier degradation, slow natural development of biological soil crusts (BSCs), and the resulting spatial–temporal heterogeneity in surface erodibility. This study addresses the knowledge gap regarding how artificial BSC inoculation interacts with different sand barrier types and vegetation species to regulate soil properties and wind erosion resistance. established a three‐factor completely randomized block design involving five sand barrier types (6‐year, 4‐year, and 2‐year brush‐net rope checkerboard barriers; HDPE barriers; and no barriers as shifting sand control), five vegetation conditions ( Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica , Caragana korshinskii , Hedysarum scoparium , Artemisia ordosica , and non‐vegetated), and artificial BSC inoculation. Soil samples were collected at 0–10 cm and 10–20 cm depths, and wind erosion depth was monitored using the erosion pin method at 30, 60, and 90 days post‐inoculation. Three‐way ANOVA revealed that sand barrier type was the dominant factor influencing BSC development, with the 6‐year barrier producing the greatest crust thickness (5.63 mm at 60 days, F  = 9.15, p  < 0.001) and the most stable crust area (CV ≤ 15%). Wind erosion depth was significantly reduced under the 6‐year barrier compared to shifting sand (from 51.0 mm to 3.32 mm, a 93.5% reduction at 60 days). Soil organic carbon (SOC) in the surface layer was significantly affected by vegetation type ( F  = 3.43, p  = 0.015), with the C. korshinskii treatment under the 4‐year barrier achieving the highest SOC content (2.28 g/kg). Pearson correlation analysis demonstrated that wind erosion depth was significantly negatively correlated with crust thickness ( r  = −0.542 to −0.951, p  < 0.05) but not with crust area, indicating that crust thickness is the primary driver of wind erosion resistance. The optimal restoration model identified was “artificial BSCs + 6‐year brush‐net barrier + H. scoparium / A. ordosica ”, which enhances system stability through the chain mechanism of “barrier stabilization → BSC‐mediated soil improvement → plant consolidation”. For large‐scale restoration in arid sandy lands, we recommend integrating long‐lasting brush‐net barriers with artificial BSC inoculation and well‐adapted shrub species to maximize synergistic effects.