A Desert Oasis Thrives Through Ecological Restoration

Tourists recently visited the Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Spring scenic spot in Dunhuang City, Gansu Province, China. Crescent Spring, a renowned desert oasis in the region, has experienced a significant recovery. Its water level and surface area are now the highest they have been in over two decades, representing a major success in ecological restoration.

The provincial geological environment monitoring institute reported that the crescent-shaped oasis is currently 3.8 meters deep and covers 2.12 hectares. This is a substantial improvement compared to the late 1990s, when the average water level was below 1 meter and the surface area was only 0.17 hectares.

Crescent Spring, located among the towering dunes of Mingsha Mountain in Dunhuang, has been recognized for at least 2,000 years. Historical records highlight its unique beauty, where shifting sands and clear waters coexist. The spring not only attracts visitors but also supports Dunhuang's delicate desert ecosystem. Groundwater from nearby rivers seeps through the sands to counteract evaporation.

However, environmental changes and human activities previously led to declining groundwater levels, threatening the spring. A turning point came in 2011 when a comprehensive plan for water protection and ecological restoration was introduced. A key component of this plan was a groundwater replenishment project for Crescent Spring.

The project aims to enhance groundwater replenishment by constructing infiltration dams along the Dang River. These dams extend water retention time, raising the upstream water table and reversing the declining trend around Crescent Spring. This ensures the preservation of this natural wonder. The average water level has steadily increased, surpassing 3 meters in 2021 and reaching a new peak this year.

In addition to restoring Crescent Spring, the project supports the region's water storage, flood control, and wetland development, contributing to improvements in the local ecosystem. Scientific research also plays a crucial role in safeguarding the spring. Advanced techniques are used to understand the sand-spring coexistence mechanism and propose targeted protection measures.

Protection efforts have evolved from emergency responses to long-term, standardized management. This includes scientific monitoring, systematic regulation, and routine conservation, which has yielded remarkable results. The local ecosystem has seen significant improvements, boosting the tourism industry. The scenic area welcomed approximately 1.26 million visitors from January to June this year, showing a year-on-year increase.