Biochar as a climate-smart strategy for restoring dryland soils and mitigating desertification

作者：Abdul Waheed, Qiao Xu, Dong Cui, Murad Muhammad, Hongbo Xu, Aishajiang Aili, Amannisa Kuerban, Sajjad Ali · 发表于：Biochar · 年份：2026 · DOI：10.1007/s42773-025-00537-0 · 被引用次数：5 · 研究领域：Soil Carbon and Nitrogen Dynamics、Biocrusts and Microbial Ecology、Soil erosion and sediment transport

Abstract Arid and semi-arid regions are increasingly vulnerable to desertification, soil degradation, and water scarcity, which severely threaten agricultural productivity, food security, and ecosystem stability. This review explores biochar as a climate-smart, integrative, nature-based solution to address these critical challenges, enhance water use efficiency, and build resilience in fragile dryland ecosystems. We hypothesize that strategically designed biochar systems aligned with consistent feedstock logistics, economic viability, and site-specific hydrological and biogeochemical needs can serve as scalable, multi-functional interventions to restore degraded soils and mitigate climate-driven desertification. To test this hypothesis, we critically synthesize interdisciplinary literature, uncovering underexplored synergistic roles of biochar in hydrological regulation, microbial ecology, and renewable energy integration. By consolidating data on biochar’s physicochemical properties, we examine its mechanisms for improving soil structure, boosting water retention, enhancing nutrient cycling, buffering pH, and supporting microbial communities in dryland soils. Field evidence further demonstrates biochar’s capacity to rehabilitate soils, increase crop yields, and reduce erosion risks. We also highlight emerging opportunities at the intersection of biochar and precision agriculture, such as drone-assisted applications, co-composting to produce nutrient-rich biochar, and integra...